Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Foresty is a department
of the government of Oklahoma
under the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
. It is responsible for providing services and expertise that promote and protect Oklahoma's food supply and natural resources while stimulating economic growth.
The Department is governed by the State Board of Agriculture. The Board consists of five members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate
. The Governor designates one of the members as President of the Board, who serves as the Commissioner of Agriculture. The Commissioner is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and policies of the Department.
The current Commissioner of Agriculture is Jim Reese
, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin
in 2011.
The Department was created in 1907 during the term of Governor
Charles N. Haskell
.
. The State Board of Agriculture governs the Department and is administered by the Commissioner of Agriculture (who is the President of the State Board of Agriculture). Under Governor Mary Fallin
, Jim Reese
is serving concurrently as both Secretary and Commissioner.
. Members must be farmers with at least five years of practical experience in agriculture. The state is divided into four agricultural districts and a member is appointed to a four year term from each of the districts. An at large position is appointed by the Governor to be the President of the State Board of Agriculture and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.
. The OBWEO is funded by assessments made against cotton producers. The board that controls the OBWEO is composed of five members, who are each elected from the cotton producers of their represective district. The OBWEO has annnual budget of just under $1 million and employes (for fiscal year 2011) 14 people.
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
of the government of Oklahoma
Government of Oklahoma
The government of the US State of Oklahoma, established by the Oklahoma Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the Federal government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial...
under the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
The Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor...
. It is responsible for providing services and expertise that promote and protect Oklahoma's food supply and natural resources while stimulating economic growth.
The Department is governed by the State Board of Agriculture. The Board consists of five members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
. The Governor designates one of the members as President of the Board, who serves as the Commissioner of Agriculture. The Commissioner is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and policies of the Department.
The current Commissioner of Agriculture is Jim Reese
Jim Reese
Jim Reese is an American farmer, businessman and politician from Oklahoma. Reese was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin as Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and was sworn in January 10, 2011. He will be Fallin's chief advisor on policy development and implementation related to agriculture, food and...
, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
in 2011.
The Department was created in 1907 during the term of Governor
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Charles N. Haskell
Charles N. Haskell
Charles Nathaniel Haskell was an American lawyer, oilman, and statesman who served as the first Governor of Oklahoma. Haskell played a crucial role in drafting the Oklahoma Constitution as well as Oklahoma's statehood and admission into the United States as the 46th state in 1907...
.
Mission
The Agriculture Department protects and educates consumers about Oklahoma’s agricultural and livestock productions. Its purpose is to develop and execute policy on farming, agriculture, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities, also to meet the needs of Oklahomans.Leadership
The Department is under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of AgricultureOklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
The Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor...
. The State Board of Agriculture governs the Department and is administered by the Commissioner of Agriculture (who is the President of the State Board of Agriculture). Under Governor Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
, Jim Reese
Jim Reese
Jim Reese is an American farmer, businessman and politician from Oklahoma. Reese was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin as Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and was sworn in January 10, 2011. He will be Fallin's chief advisor on policy development and implementation related to agriculture, food and...
is serving concurrently as both Secretary and Commissioner.
State Board of Agriculture
The governing body of the Department is the State Board of Agriculture, which is composed of five members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Oklahoma SenateOklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
. Members must be farmers with at least five years of practical experience in agriculture. The state is divided into four agricultural districts and a member is appointed to a four year term from each of the districts. An at large position is appointed by the Governor to be the President of the State Board of Agriculture and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.
Board members
As of 2011, the following are the members of the State Board of Agriculture:- Jim ReeseJim ReeseJim Reese is an American farmer, businessman and politician from Oklahoma. Reese was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin as Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and was sworn in January 10, 2011. He will be Fallin's chief advisor on policy development and implementation related to agriculture, food and...
, President of the Board - David Holcombe
- Don E. Britton
- Joe Farris
- Rod Carver
Organization
- State Board of Agriculture
- Commissioner of Agriculture
- Assistant Commissioner
- Associate Commissioner
- Administration Division - executive office / agency services
- Information Technology Section
- Finance Section
- General Services Section
- Grants Administration Section
- Human Resources Section
- Purchasing Section
- Safety and Training Section
- Investigative Services Unit
- Agricultural Environmental Management Services Division - protection of Oklahoma's waters and environment from animal and poultry waste
- Agricultural Statistics Services Division - generates date on current crop conditions and livestock inventory numbers
- Animal Industry Division - animal health and disease control programs
- Consumer Protection Services Division - seed, feed, fertilizer, pesticides, nursery and weights & measures
- Agricultural Resources Section
- Agricultural Resources Support Section
- Grain Warehouse Examination Section
- Agricultural Resources Inspection Section
- Weights and Measures Section
- Pesticide and Horticulture Section
- Pesticide Support Section
- Pesticide and Apiary Inspection Section
- Plant Protection Section
- Food Safety Division - meat, milk, egg, poultry and organic programs
- Dairy Section
- Organic Food Section
- Poultry and Egg Section
- Meat and Poultry Section
- Administration Division - executive office / agency services
- Associate Commissioner
- Assistant Commissioner
- Commissioner of Agriculture
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-
-
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- Forestry Services Division - landowner assistance, tree planting, fire protection, urban forestry, and education programs
- Statewide Forestry Programs Section
- Rural Fire Defense Section
- Forest Regeneration Center
- Forest Tree Improvement Center
- Laboratory Services Division - official state testing lab
- Animal Health Section
- Bureau of Standards
- Feed, Fertilizer and Lime Section
- Food and Dairy Section
- Pesticide Section
- Seed Section
- Water and Inorganics Section
- Office of the General Counsel - enforcement of agricultural laws
- Market Development Services Division - market promotion, loan programs, market news and educational programs
- Agritourism Section
- Diversified Agriculture Section
- Domestic Programs Section
- Economic Development Section
- Education Program Section
- International Programs Section
- Market News Section
- Plasticulture Section
- Public Information Services Division - publicity and event planning
- Wildlife Services Division - prevention of wildlife-caused damage
- Forestry Services Division - landowner assistance, tree planting, fire protection, urban forestry, and education programs
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Staffing
The Agriculture Department, with an annual budget of over $50 million, is one of the larger employers of the State. For fiscal year 2010, the Bureau was authorized 477 full time employees.| Division | Number of Employees |
|---|---|
| Administration Division | 54 |
| Public Information Office | 3 |
| Legal Services Division | 7 |
| Agricultural Environmental Services Division | 14 |
| Statistic Reporting Services Division | 3 |
| Forestry Services Division | 161 |
| Animal Industry Division | 32 |
| Market Development Division | 19 |
| Consumer Services Division | 58 |
| Wildlife Services Division | 19 |
| Food Safety Division | 67 |
| Agricultural Laboratory Services | 41 |
| Total | 478 |
Budget
The Agriculture Department has an annual budget of almost $90 million. Each of the Department's operating units how the following operating budget:| Program | Funding (in millions) |
|---|---|
| Administration Services | $18.2 |
| Legal Services | $0.8 |
| Agricultural Environmental Services | $2.7 |
| Forestry Services | $14.9 |
| Animal Industry Services | $4.2 |
| Market Development Services | $5.9 |
| Consumer Protection Services | $7.2 |
| Wildlife Services | $2.8 |
| Food Safety Services | $4.7 |
| Agricultural Laboratory Services | $4.1 |
| Agriculture Programs | $22.2 |
| Total | $87.7 |
Boll Weevil Eradication Organization
The purpose of the Oklahoma Boll Weevil Eradication Organization is to assist cotton growers in the State in the eradication of the boll weevilBoll weevil
The boll weevil is a beetle measuring an average length of six millimeters, which feeds on cotton buds and flowers. Thought to be native to Central America, it migrated into the United States from Mexico in the late 19th century and had infested all U.S. cotton-growing areas by the 1920s,...
. The OBWEO is funded by assessments made against cotton producers. The board that controls the OBWEO is composed of five members, who are each elected from the cotton producers of their represective district. The OBWEO has annnual budget of just under $1 million and employes (for fiscal year 2011) 14 people.