MAFE Events

Thank you to all that attended the 2015 MAFE convention. We had a great year with a lot of networking, learning and fun.

In order to continue to improve the convention we need your thoughts. Please fill out the below evaluation form and submit via mail, email or fax by January 25, 2015.

Convention Evaluation Form (PDF version)

Convention Evaluation Form (word version)

Thank you for your thoughts and […]

Michigan Poultry Exhibition and Swap Meet Ban Lifted

For immediate release: December 23, 2015

Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724
LANSING – Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development lifted the statewide ban on poultry exhibitions. MDARD implemented the ban as a precautionary measure in June 2015 in response to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak happening across the U.S.
MDARD evaluated the disease risk and current national status and decided it’s appropriate to lift the […]

Click the link to view the 2016 MAFE Convention Brochure, which includes general schedule, workshop and table top discussion topics, spouse activity schedule, showcase acts and much more!

If your fair plans to auction poultry, it is important to understand the right steps to ensure food safety standards. Not all processors in the state of Michigan are certified for the sale of processed poultry products and not all fairs apply for a food establishment license (which is required to sell a bird that has already been processed).

Determine which of the three categories your fair falls into and review the steps that need to […]

Due to the recent decision to cancel poultry exhibitions at fairs this summer, Michigan State University Extension has created a poster to helps explain the lack of birds in the barns.  The avian influenza poster can be downloaded by visiting http://msue.anr.msu.edu/program/avian_influenza/poultryshows/resources_for_staff_and_volunteers.

On June 1, 2015, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) issued a statement cancelling all poultry shows and exhibitions held in Michigan as a precaution against the spread of avian influenza.

MDARD’s State Veterinarian Stops Bird Movement to Protect Health of Michigan Poultry
 Due to the potential for highly pathogenic avian influenza, 2015 poultry exhibitions are canceled throughout the state 

Lansing – Today, after much deliberation and consideration with the Michigan Association for Fairs and Exhibitions (MAFE), Michigan 4-H leadership and the Michigan Allied Poultry Industry, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s State Veterinarian Dr. James Averill made the difficult decision to cancel all […]

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has created a map to show the current coverage areas for fairs/exhibitions by Animal Industry Division (AID) field veterinarians, see this link:http://michigan.gov/documents/mdard/Map_of_Field_Veterinarians_Fair_Coverage_482827_7.pdf

Last year, MDARD field veterinarians were able to visit 45 county fairs.  This year MDARD has intentions of trying to make it to at least 60 county fairs.

MDARD AID field veterinarians will try to […]