Mission:

Our mission is to enhance Minnesotans' quality of life by ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength of our agricultural economy.

Statewide Outcomes:

Agriculture supports the following statewide outcomes:

A thriving economy that encourages business growth and employment opportunities.

Minnesotans are healthy.

People in Minnesota are safe.

A clean, healthy environment with sustainable uses of natural resources.

Efficient and accountable government services.

 Context:

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) provides a long list of services to Minnesota farmers and consumers. Among its many efforts, the department:

• Inspects the entire chain of food production in Minnesota,
• Ensures that state and federal regulations for food and health safety are followed,
• Educates producers, suppliers, and consumers on proper production and handling of food products,
• Educates Minnesotans about environmental hazards to keep our farms, homes, businesses and neighbors safe,
• Promotes the consumption of Minnesota-grown foods, and
• Supports the export of Minnesota Crops and Livestock.

Agriculture is a major contributor to the economic health of Minnesota, with farm-level production and agricultural processing having a total output impact greater than $74 billion and a total employment impact of more than 342,000 jobs. Changes in consumer habits and tastes, a more urban population, new and increasingly competitive and global markets, transportation and communication innovations, and evolving environmental and energy policy, among other factors, offer challenges and opportunities.

The key trends affecting agriculture are consumer expectations for a safe food supply, increased focus on a healthy environment, growth opportunities in local and organic foods, the growth in international markets and the emergence of new biofuels. Together, these trends have created more diversity in farm business models used in the state. For example, while the vast majority of Minnesota’s agricultural production and economic impact still comes from “traditional” crop and livestock farms, there is a steadily growing number of farms catering to consumers’ increasing interest for local food ‑ and for greater interaction with those who provide their food.

The agency budget comes from three primary sources. First, the state’s general fund provides roughly 40 percent of the agency budget. About one third of this general fund budget is passed through in Agriculture Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) and other assistance grant programs. Second, dedicated funds spent by the agency come from fee revenue which are dedicated to and used for the activities for which they were collected. The third funding source is federal funds, which provide roughly ten percent of the agency’s budget. Recently, federal funding has diminished for some MDA programs. The largest budget increase in recent years has been from the addition of Clean Water “legacy” funds.

Strategies:

The agency uses a range of regulatory and voluntary strategies to support its mission. This includes the use of registration, labeling, licensing, permitting, inspection and enforcement efforts. Additionally, the agency coordinates and conducts outreach activities such as workshops, conferences, and field demonstration projects.

Agency staff conduct inspections and verify samples to ensure that producers, processors, wholesalers, salvers, haulers, grocery and convenience store and other industry personnel are producing and handling dairy, food, meat and feed products in a safe manner to prevent product adulteration and contamination.

The agency ensures that Minnesota plant commodities meet the specified import requirements of our trading partners, specific grades established in business contracts, viability and purity standards of seeds, general health standards for nursery stock, established standards of freedom from harmful plant pests.

The agency marketing and promotional initiatives offer producers technical and financial assistance for production and siting issues, dairy development, grazing, and business planning, on-farm demonstration and technical assistance for emerging water quality and conservation practices.

Agency staff facilitates access to markets through the Minnesota Grown Directory, International Trade market research and client support for trade missions and export assistance. In addition, the agency supports the organic industry through education, direct financial support, and skill development.

Measuring Success:

The agency will monitor the following data to determine progress or measures of success:

• Annual pounds of waste pesticide collected and properly disposed.
• Export Certificates issued in one to three business days
• Traps placed for Emerald Ash Borer
• National Laboratory Services accreditations achieved
• Inspection rate of high-risk food processing facilities
• Return on investment for trade and reverse trade missions