Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is a government agency in Minnesota responsible for managing the state's food supply, natural resources, and agricultural economy.^[1]

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Government agency overview
Formed	1885
Preceding Government agency	Minnesota State Dairy Commission
Headquarters	625 Robert St N, St Paul, MN 55155
Government agency executive	Thom Petersen, Commissioner

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 as a substitute for butter. It was staffed by a department head, a single assistant and one clerk who doubled as the food chemist. In 1885, the budget was $6,000 per year.^[2]

Commissioners

• Chris Heen (1920–1925).^[3][4]
• 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 (1991–1995)
• Gene Hugoson (1995–2011)
• David Frederickson (2011–2019)
• Thom Petersen (2019–present)