New Mexico Department of Agriculture
{{Infobox government agency
| name = New Mexico Department of Agriculture
| seal = Seal of New Mexico.svg
| seal_size = 100px
| formed = {{Start date|1911|01}}
| jurisdiction = New Mexico
| headquarters = 1050 Stewart St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, United States
| chief1_name = Jeff Witte
| chief1_position = Director
| website = {{URL|https://nmdeptag.nmsu.edu/}}
}}
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is a state-owned agency in New Mexico. The department is responsible for promoting New Mexico agriculture, ensuring food safety, and regulating the use of natural resources for agriculture.
The NMDA is led by a director who also serves on the New Mexico Governor's Cabinet. The current director, Jeff Witte, was appointed in May 2011.
History
Established in 1911 with the ratification of the New Mexico Constitution, the NMDA was originally set to be governed by the New Mexico State University's board of regents.{{Cite web |title=N.M. Const., art XV, § 1 |url=https://nmonesource.com/nmos/c/en/item/5916/index.do#!fragment/zoupio-_Toc172710529/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=nmonesource.com}} Over the years, its scope has broadened to account for increased interest in agriculture. In 1955, numerous agricultural services were consolidated under the department, and since 1978 the NMDA director has served concurrently in the state's Cabinet.{{Cite web |date=May 2011 |title=NMDA History and Foundation |url=https://nmdeptag.nmsu.edu/nmda-history.html |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=New Mexico Department of Agriculture}}
Divisions
The NMDA is organized into several divisions, each with their own subdivisions and areas of focus:
- Agricultural and Environmental Services Division
- Entomology and Nursery Industries
- Pesticide Compliance
- Hemp
- Agricultural Production Services
- Biosecurity
- Dairy
- Feed, Seed & Fertilizer
- Southwest Border Food Protection and Emergency Preparedness Center
- Agricultural Programs and Resources
- Acequia & Community Ditch Fund
- Agricultural Workforce Development Program
- Healthy Soil Program
- Noxious Weed Information
- Soil & Water Conservation Programs
- Laboratory Division
- Metrology Lab
- Petroleum Lab
- Seed Lab
- State Chemist Lab
- Marketing and Development
- Standards and Consumer Services
- Chile Advertising
- Egg Grading
- Open Date Labeling for Dairy Products
- Petroleum Standards
- Weights & Measures
- Veterinary Diagnostic Services
References
{{reflist}}
{{authority control}}{{New Mexico Cabinet}}
{{NewMexico-stub}}
Category:State agencies of New Mexico
Category:State departments of agriculture of the United States