Minnesota Agencies

The commissioner of agriculture may appoint a farm safety advisory commission to support, review, and monitor the programs and activities of the research center for agricultural health and safety. 

The 1991 legislation allowing for a Farm Safety Advisory Commission also encouraged the University of Minnesota extension service office to retain and keep filled at all times, the staff position of farm safety specialist (Minn. Stat. 137.341). Additionally, it created within the division of environmental and occupational health in the University of Minnesota school of public health and under its direction an interagency, interdisciplinary research center for agricultural health and safety.  The center shall coordinate funding for, and the findings of, research projects designed to reduce injury and death from farm accidents, reduce long-term exposure to potentially hazardous agricultural agents, and make health care services more available to persons who suffer from health problems related to agriculture.

Minn. Stat. 137.342, subd. 2 pertaining to the Commission was repealed in 2001 (see Laws of Minn. 2001, chap. 161, sec. 58).

12 members: Appointees to the commission must represent a broad range of interests including education, production farming, agricultural wholesale and retail businesses, statewide farm organizations, and manufacturers of agricultural machinery and chemicals. Appointment and expiration at discretion of commissioner of agriculture.