By Staff
LANSING - Dan Wyant, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, announced Thursday on July 29 he will step down from the post he held for nine years.
Wyant was appointed to the position by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture in October 1996.
Wyant has accepted a position as president and chief operating officer of the Edward Lowe Foundation, a private operating foundation that assists entrepreneurs.
The foundation is located on 2,500 acres of rural farmland in Cassopolis.
Wyant, a native of Cass County, brought a vast agricultural background to MDA with a bachelor of science degree in food systems management from Michigan State University and a master's degree in business administration from American University in Washington, D.C.
Wyant added, "It has been an honor to serve as department director for the past nine years and I leave very optimistic about the future economic potential of agriculture in Michigan."
He began his public career providing policy expertise for the Michigan Senate and serving as legislative liaison for MDA.
In February 2002, Wyant was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman to serve on the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee.
In early 2003, he was appointed by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm to the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council.