THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Department of Agriculture was created to promote the interests of agriculture and horticulture in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is governed by Kentucky Revised Statues 246 – 263.
The first agricultural government unit in Kentucky was established in 1817 in Fayette County and has evolved through the years. The Department of Agriculture was established in 1942 as part of Agriculture, Labor and Statistics. In 1962, the Department of Agriculture was created as its own entity and is under the direction of an elected Commissioner.
The Department of Agriculture consists of the Office of the Commissioner, Office for Administrative Services, Office of Agricultural Marketing, Office of Agricultural Policy, Office of Communications, Office for Consumer and Environmental Protection, Office of Legal Services, Office of State Veterinarian, and the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners.
Office of Commissioner
Being the Commissioner of Agriculture for Kentucky has been a dream of mine since I was a child, and it is a great honor and privilege to serve as your Commissioner.
- Commissioner Ryan Quarles
Office of Administrative Services
It is the mission of the Office of Administrative Services to provide quality services to the employees of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). The Office is responsible for administrative services, human resources and information technology. It also deals with budget preparation and administration, handles legislative tracking duties, and is responsible for interacting with government agencies.
Office of Agricultural Marketing
The KDA Office of Agricultural Marketing assists farmers, agricultural businesses, and commodity groups in promoting and marketing their products by expanding existing markets, as well as developing domestic and international markets.
Office of Agricultural Policy
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, in statute, is administered by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. The mission of the board is to invest these funds in innovative proposals that increase net farm income and affect tobacco farmers, tobacco-impacted communities and agriculture across the state by stimulating markets for Kentucky agricultural products. This includes finding new ways to add value to Kentucky agricultural products and exploring new opportunities that will benefit Kentucky farms now and in the future.
Office for Consumer & Environmental Protection
The Division of Food Distribution contributes to the nutritional well being of the citizens of Kentucky by distributing USDA commodities to eligible recipient agencies. Food Distribution administers four food programs for USDA.
The Division of Environmental Services is responsible for regulating the registration, sale, distribution, proper use, storage, disposal, and application of pesticides in Kentucky.
The Division of Regulation and Inspection, through its wide range of regulatory duties, affects each and every Kentucky family.
Office of State Veterinarian
The Office for State Veterinarian mission is to protect the health and welfare of Kentucky's livestock, poultry and agricultural industries. The Office for State Veterinarian also promotes an environment that enhances the economic and recreational opportunities and prosperity of Kentucky agriculture.