Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is a government agency in

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

responsible for managing the state's food supply, natural resources, and agricultural economy.

History

The department began as the Minnesota State Dairy Commission in 1885 to eliminate the sale of adulterated milk and block the sale of

oleomargarine Margarine (, also , ) is a spread used for flavoring, baking, and cooking. It is most often used as a substitute for butter. Although originally made from animal fats, most margarine consumed today is made from vegetable oil. The spread was orig ...

as a substitute for butter. It was staffed by a department head, a single assistant and one clerk who doubled as the

food chemist Food chemistry is the study of chemical processes and interactions of all biological and non-biological components of foods. The biological substances include such items as meat, poultry, lettuce, beer, milk as examples. It is similar to biochemist ...

. In 1885, the budget was $6,000 per year.

Commissioners

*Chris Heen (1920–1925). * Byron G. Allen (1955–1961) *Jon Wefald (1971-1978) *William Walker (1978-1979) *Mark W. Seetin (1979-1983) * James W. Nichols (1983-1991) *

Elton Redalen Elton Redalen (March 5, 1926 – July 10, 2009) was an American farmer and politician. Born near Fountain, Minnesota, Redalen served in the United States Navy during World War II. He went to Miami University and the University of Minnesota. ...

(1991–1995) *

Gene Hugoson Gene Hugoson (born September 11, 1945) was an American politician, farmer, and teacher. Hugoson was born in Martin County, Minnesota. He graduated from the East Chain High School in East Chain, Minnesota in 1963. Hugoson served in the Unit ...

(1995–2011) *

David Frederickson David J. Frederickson (born March 2, 1944) is an American politician who served as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture from January 2011 to 2019, and previously as a member of the Minnesota Senate from West Central Minnesota ...

(2011–2019) * Thom Petersen (2019–present)

References

Agriculture in Minnesota State agencies of Minnesota 1885 establishments in Minnesota State departments of agriculture of the United States {{agriculture-org-stub