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Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions

Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

Agriculture Department

Also known as:
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Ag Department
Active dates:1919 -
Authority:
1919 Minn. Laws Chap. 444
Minn. Stat. 17.01
Rule(s):
Minn. Rules Chap. 1500-1572
Function:

Assists and promotes the agricultural industries in Minnesota; assists agricultural cooperatives, investigates market conditions, enforces laws designed to protect public health and to prevent fraud and deception in the manufacture and distribution of food and other items; collects agricultural statistics (in cooperation with federal government); inspects agricultural products; conducts programs for insect and plant disease control and for weed control.

History:

The Minnesota State Dairy Commission, a forerunner for the Department of Agriculture, was created in 1885 for the limited purpose of prohibiting the sale of adulterated milk and the sale of oleomargarine (Laws of Minnesota 1885, chapter 149, section 7). The Commission started with one department head, one assistant, and one clerk who doubled as a chemist. The Commission's budget was $6,000.

In 1899, the Legislature created the position of Dairy and Food Commissioner, charging the commissioner with enforcing laws related to the production, manufacture, and sale of dairy products, and food prepared from their imitations and substitutes (Laws of Minn. 1899, chap. 295). This law was amended in 1903 (Laws of Minn. 1903, chap. 155). The Department of Dairy and Food, under control of the commissioner, was established in 1925 (Laws of Minn. 1925, chap. 426).

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture was established in 1919 (Laws of Minn. 1919, chap. 444). Then in 1929, the Legislature consolidated the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Dairy and Food into one department: The Department of Agriculture and Dairy and Food (Laws of Minn. 1929, chap. 387).

In 1961, the Legislature changed the department's name to the Department of Agriculture (Laws of Minn. 1961, chap. 113).
Related to:
Farmer-Lender Mediation Task Force
Agency heads:

Commissioner, appointed by the governor:

N.J. Holmberg, 1919-1931
Rollef A. Trovatten, 1931-1950
Myron W. Clark, 1950-1955
Byron Allen, 1955-1961
Duane A. Wilson, 1961-1964
Russell G. Schwandt, 1964-1969
Robert W. Carlson, 1969-1971
John Wefald, 1971-1977
William Walker, 1977-1978
Mark Seetin, 1978-1982
Jim Nichols, 1982-1990
Elton Redalen, 1990-1995
Gene Hugoson, 1995-2011
Dave Frederickson, 2011-2019
Thom Petersen, 2019-
Internet resource:
Minnesota Management & Budget Agency Profile
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Reports:
Guide to Minnesota Department of Agriculture (1999)
Note: The Legislative Reference Library may have additional reports on or by this group available through our catalog.
Documents/Articles:
Farm experiment in southern Minnesota shows promise for cleaner groundwater. Star Tribune, 4/7/2026.
Minnesota asks the public if groundwater rule is enough to curb farm fertilizer pollution, following lawsuit. MinnPost, 3/11/2026.
After nitrate lawsuit, Minnesota opens farm fertilizer rule for public comment. Star Tribune, 2/18/2026.
$11.16 million in federal funding secured to expand irrigation conservation in 25 counties; Farmers in Otter Tail, Wadena, Becker and Hubbard counties have an opportunity to use federal funding for improved irrigation efficiency.. Wadena Pioneer Journal, 10/30/2025.
Does Minnesota adequately protect water from nitrate pollution? Judge orders agencies to find out. Star Tribune, 9/10/2025.
Minnesota agencies ordered to review whether existing rules protect drinking water; While work to protect the state's drinking water has ramped up in recent years, environmental groups want more evidence to see that it's working.. Rochester Post-Bulletin, 9/10/2025.
Minnesota seeks to replace retiring ag mental health counselor: Ag mental health specialists in Minnesota are busy thanks to current low commodity prices and other uncertainties. Alexandria Echo Press, 5/13/2025.
From Harlem to the heartland: Profile of Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. The Farmer, April/May 2024.
Petersen reconfirmed as Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner. Unanimous support for continued ag leadership.. Tri-County News (Kimball), 2/15/2023.
Patrice Bailey appointed to assistant commissioner job at Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Patrice Bailey wants to change how people of color view agribusiness.. Star Tribune, 6/11/2019.
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Record last updated: 11/25/2024
 

Please contact a librarian with any questions. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.

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