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History of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture |
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1885
- Minnesota State Dairy Commission, a forerunner for the Department
of Agriculture, was created in 1885 for the limited purpose of prohibiting
the sale of adulterated milk and the sale of oleomargarine. The Commission
was started with one department head, one assistant and one clerk who
doubled as a chemist. The Commission budget was $6,000.
- Law regulating sale of oleomargarine was passed. This was the first
law in Minnesota regulating food and drink.
- The Grain Inspection Law was passed on March 5, 1885. It established
the inspection, weighing and registration divisions and provided for licensing
of terminal warehouses.
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1887
- Supporting laws were passed and oleomargarine law was sustained by
the Minnesota Supreme Court.
- Food laws were amended to require the furnishing of reports to the
Commissioner by all creameries; cheese factories, dairies, and peddlers
and vendors of milk; and provided for the establishment of a laboratory
to examine and analyze milk, butter, and cheese to determine purity. This
was the first movement to secure dairy statistics.
- Cheese factories operating in the state were required to register with
the commissioner.
- Two veterinary surgeons were appointed to the Commission in response
to the outbreak of contagious pluro pneumonia.
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1889
- The Commission’s name was changed to the State Dairy and Food
Commission and was given authority to regulate all food products.
- Two chemists were hired.
- Dealers in milk were licensed by the Commission.
- Food laws were passed prohibiting use of cottonseed oil in food products;
regulating baking powder, vinegar, and lard; and prohibiting the adulteration
of spirituous and vinegar liquors.
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1891
- State gave up trying to ban oleomargarine sales completely. Oleomargarine
could be sold if it was labeled as such and colored bright pink.
- Pure Milk and Dairy Products Law required all vendors of milk to pay
the Commission one dollar to procure a license for sale of milk in cities
over 2,000.
- Cheese instructor to be employed five months per year during the cheese
making season was added to the commission.
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1893
- Sale of honey made from cane syrup, and candy were regulated.
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1894
- Commission’s duties were expanded to include inspection of all
milk sold in the state to creameries and private families and prevention
of importation of non-conforming dairy products.
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1895
- Noxious weed law was passed which declared certain weeds nuisances
and required private owners to destroy such weeds. State weed control
dates back to 1872 when the first Canada thistle law was enacted by the
legislature.
- Honey standards were established.
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1896
- Commission name was changed to the Minnesota Dairy and Food Department.
- Jellies, spices, condiments and milk preservatives were added to pure
food regulations.
- Creamery associations and corporations were required to file reports
with the Department.
- First Minnesota law regulating non-food products was passed. Linseed
oil that did not meet certain purity standards was prohibited from sale.
Law provided that the product should be sold under its true name and in
vessels bearing the proper stamp describing it as pure linseed oil –
raw, or pure linseed oil – boiled.
- Sale of flax was regulated.
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1899
- Legislation was passed that provided penalties for the manipulation
of the Babcock Test. Test was used to determine butterfat in milk and
cream.
- Sale of adulterated, misbranded, or improperly labeled paint, varnish,
paint solvent and oil solvent was prohibited.
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1901
- Department jurisdiction over preservatives was extended from milk
products to include all foods.
- The legislature permitted establishment of grain inspection and weighing
services at out-state locations in addition to Minneapolis, St. Paul and
Duluth.
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1902
- Department issued its first “Commission rulings” after
powers had been broadly expanded. Department began establishing general
policy statements rather than administering laws on an ad hoc basis.
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1905
- Minnesota Pure Food Laws were enacted, codifying all prior food laws.
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1906
- The National Pure Food Law was passed, which gave the Department authority
to seize shipments of goods sent into the state and to hold them until
samples could be taken and analyzed. Department analyzed samples of food
that grocers shipped in by mail order houses.
- Department was given responsibility for inspection of the state’s
new canning industry.
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1907
- Food standards and labeling rules were adopted for all food products.
- Operators of the Babcock Test were required to get a license from
the Department.
- Ten inspectors were added to the staff.
- Three laws were passed providing for purity of paints.
- Department was responsible for enforcement of all provisions of the
chemical compounds legislation.
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1911
- Department reported its first deficit of $5,000.
- Inspector of apiaries was added to the staff to work on the suppression
of contagious diseases among bees.
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1913
- Sanitary food law was passed which gave the department general inspection
duties for food and food related establishments.
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1914
- First law passed that regulated sale and distribution of cigarettes
in the state. The law forbid sale of cigarettes to minors. Department
had authority to enforce this law until 1939 when authority was transferred
to the Department of Taxation.
- The United States Department of Agriculture established official grade
standards for corn, effective July 1, 1914.
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1915
- Fraudulent advertising act was passed which prohibited misleading
statements or suggestions in advertising matter.
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1916
- The United States Grain Standards Act became effective December 1,
1916. Federal Standards cost the grain inspection division $20,000 for
new equipment and required more inspectors.
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1919
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture created. The department’s
main concern was to promote all Minnesota Agriculture – not just
dairy products.
- Nursery inspection was transferred from the University of Minnesota
to the Department.
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1921
- Potato and seed inspection services started.
- Commissioner was directed to prepare account books for farms.
- Commissioner received broad authority to promulgate rules and regulations
to enforce all food laws, for the purpose of preventing fraud and deception
in the manufacture, use, sale and transportation of food, and for the
purpose of protecting and preserving the public health.
- Licensing, inspection, and sanitation standards for creameries and
beverage plants enacted.
- Cold Storage Law was passed to license and to regulate persons, firms,
or corporations operating cold storage warehouses for preservation of
farm produce and foods.
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1923
- Division of Cooperative Accounting was created.
- Minnesota crop reporting service was created as a cooperative effort
with USDA.
- Authority to license state public produce warehouses and warehousemen
was transferred from the Railroad and Warehouse Commission to the Department.
- Noxious Weed Law was amended giving commissioner authority to enforce
regulations to eradicate noxious weeds from agricultural land and other
land in the state.
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1925
- Commissioner was authorized to protect certain wild flowers —
including the state flower.
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1927
- Bread and soft drink laws were enacted.
- Sale and labeling of agricultural seed and inspection and certification
of seed potatoes were regulated.
- Discrimination in the purchase of farm products was forbidden.
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1929
- Imitation ice cream, butter, and white oleomargarine laws were passed.
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1931
- Wholesale Produce Dealers Act was passed requiring wholesale dealers
within the state to be licensed with the Department, authorizing the commissioner
to establish grades on all produce sold within the state, and authorizing
the commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations governing rates charged
by and the buying, selling, advertising and trading practices of wholesale
dealers.
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1932
- Department moved from the old Capitol building, located on Tenth and
Wabasha streets in St. Paul to the newly constructed State Office Building.
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1938
- Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act was enacted and took effect January
1, 1940, requiring major changes in the state’s food standards and
corresponding rules and regulations.
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1939
- Commercial growing of hemp required a license from the Department.
- Hybrid Seed Corn Act was passed giving the commissioner authority to
regulate sale of hybrid seed corn. This law later became known as the
Seed Law which protected consumers from impure seeds.
- Propagation and keeping of bees, suppression of contagious diseases
among bees, and the registration and maintenance of apiaries were regulated
by the Department.
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1940
- The Grain Inspection and Scale Division building was erected in Duluth,
on Garfield Avenue, at a cost of $13,000.
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1943
- Commissioner was responsible for promulgating rules and regulations
for storage of food in refrigerated lockers. Every person operating a
frozen food processing plant, or engaged as a processor, was required
to be licensed by the Department.
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1945
- Bacteria standards and Grade A milk program established.
- Commissioner approved dairy plants and equipment and granted permits
to operate the same.
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1947
- Commissioner was given exclusive jurisdiction over licensing of persons
engaged in breeding, raising, selling or disposing of domesticated fur-bearing
animals.
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1949
- Minnesota Fertilizer Law required manufacturers, importers, etc. of
commercial fertilizer to file a certificate with the commissioner. Commissioner
also registered the sale of antifreeze.
- Department was given authority to regulate the spraying and dusting
of crops with herbicides.
- Pasteurization of milk and milk bottles became compulsory.
- Commissioner given authority to establish rules and regulations for
conduct of mosquito abatement operations throughout the state.
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1951
- Department provided an inspection service for seed potato growers
and certified potatoes that met the requirements of the Seed Potato Certification
Law and regulations adopted pursuant to it. Department received original
authority in 1927.
- Minnesota Seed Law codified all previous seed laws giving the Department
responsibility to investigate sale, transportation, distribution and adaptation
of agricultural seeds.
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1955
- Commissioner was to enforce law on chemically treated grains which
forbid the sale of grains with toxic chemicals present in sufficient quantities
to be harmful to humans, animals or poultry.
- Sanitation requirements and licensing of animal and poultry slaughtering
and packing plants were enacted into law.
- Food Handlers License Law required all food handlers, not just milk
handlers, to be licensed with the Department.
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1957
- Operations of Poultry Improvement Board were transferred to the Division
of Poultry Industries in the Department. Department was given authority
to make rules and regulations relating to the grading, candling, cleaning,
breaking, purchasing and selling of eggs and egg products.
- Importation of European rabbits was forbidden without the permission
of the commissioner.
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1959
- Department was to enforce the Plant Pest Act to prevent the introduction
into and the propagation and dissemination within the state of plant pests
and to provide for their suppression and control.
- Minnesota Screenings Act prohibited any person to feed or to sell for
feeding purposes any weed-seed infested agricultural seeds, grains or
screenings.
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1961
- Administration of the Dairy Industry Unfair Trade Practices Act of
1957 was transferred from the Department of Business Development to the
Department. The purpose of this law was to stabilize prices on selected
dairy products and to prevent unfair trade practices in marketing these
products.
- Hazardous Substances Labeling Act regulating the labeling of packages
of hazardous substances intended or suitable for household use was enforced
by the Department.
- Minnesota Paint and Varnish law required commissioner to adopt rules
and regulations relating to the sale and distribution of paint, varnish,
paint oil or solvent as are necessary to carry out the provisions of the
law.
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1963
- For the purposes of expanding, improving and developing markets for
products of Minnesota agriculture, the commissioner was responsible for
promoting marketing of these products.
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1965
- Turkey Promotion Council was established to promote turkey research,
production and marketing.
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1967
- Potato Industry Promotion Act of Minnesota established state potato
councils to promote the state potato industry.
- Meat Industry Division was created to enforce and administer laws relating
to meat, fish and dressed poultry.
- Commissioner was responsible for adopting rules and regulations relating
to sanitary requirements for bakeries, appurtenances, distribution vehicles,
bakery products, standards of identity and labeling requirements.
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1969
- The Agricultural Commodities Promotion Act was passed allowing Minnesota
farmers to act separately or jointly in cooperation with handlers, dealers
and processors of such products to promote and stimulate the use, sale
and consumption of commodities. An appropriate means to accomplish this
objective was through the establishment of agricultural commodity research
and promotion councils. Councils for wild rice, eggs, beef, dry beans
and wheat were established.
- Dairy Promotion Act of Minnesota established a Minnesota Dairy Association
Council to contribute to the stabilization and improvement of the dairy
industry in the state.
- Soybean Research and Promotion Council was established to promote market
development advertisement, and market research and production of soybeans
grown in Minnesota.
- Minnesota Meat Inspection Laws were passed to assure that meat and
meat food products distributed in the state were wholesome, unadulterated,
and properly marked, labeled and packaged. The commissioner was required
to inspect all slaughtering, meat canning, salting, packing, rendering
or similar establishments in which animals are slaughtered and the meat
and meat food products thereof prepared for interstate commerce.
- Interstate Pest Control Compact was created establishing the Pest Control
Insurance Fund from which individual states could obtain financial support
for pest control programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture was the Compact
administrator after Minnesota joined in 1969.
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1971
- Minnesota Fertilizer and Soil Conditioner Law required commissioner
to adopt rules and regulations relating to the manufacture, sale, distribution,
tonnage, reporting, labeling and handling of commercial fertilizers and
soil conditioners. This law replaced the 1949 Minnesota Fertilizer Law.
- Minnesota Commercial Feed Law required the commissioner to adopt rules
and regulations for registration, labeling, adulteration, inspections
and reporting of commercial feeds and pet foods. This law replaced the
1919 Commercial Feeding Stuffs Law.
- Minnesota Consolidated Food Licensing Law authorized the commissioner
to license persons engaged in the business of manufacturing, processing,
selling, handling or storing food.
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1973
- Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining Act of 1973 recognized production
an marketing of agricultural commodities as a basic and essential industry
and allowed individual producers to join together in cooperative associations
to bargain effectively.
- Corporate Farm Registration Act prohibited future corporate ownership
of agricultural land and required any corporation holding an interest
in agricultural land or which was engaged in farming to file a report
with the commissioner.
- Executive reorganization orders numbers 22, 23 and 24 are effective
July 1, 1973, transferred the grain inspection and sampling, licensing
of livestock dealers, and weighing of livestock from the Department of
Public Service to the Department.
- The Grain Inspection Division was transferred from the Department of
Public Service to the Department of Agriculture by Executive Order. The
Weights and Measures Division, and the Track and Hopper Scale Division
remained with the Department of Public Service.
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1974
- Shade Tree Disease Control Program was established.
- Minnesota Grain Inspection, Weighing, Sampling & Analysis Act completed
the transfer of the authority to supervise inspection, grading, weighing,
sampling and analysis of grain within the state from the Department of
Public Service to the Department.
- Livestock Market Agency and Dealer Licensing Act completed the transfer
of jurisdiction and authority from the Department of Public Service to
the Department over livestock marketing practices including licensing
and bonding of auction markets, packers and dealers, as well as the weighing
of livestock at authorized locations.
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1975
- Plant and Animal Pest Control Act required the Commissioner to provide
guidance to subdivisions of state government to establish and fund programs
to control pests that may be detrimental to the health and welfare of
animals and the environment.
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1976
- Family Farm Security Program was established to aid beginning farmers
in obtaining credit for acquisition of farm real estate.
- Pesticide Control Laws were enacted which require that every pesticide
offered for sale or distributed in the state be registered with the Department.
This law also gives commissioner responsibilities to register special
local need pesticides, grant experimental use permits, license dealers,
train and license applicators, and handle claims of damage due to pesticides.
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1977
- Commissioner was required to compensate livestock owners for animals
destroyed or crippled by an animal classified as endangered.
- Commissioner was authorized to establish a program to license and permit
persons engaged in weather modification activities.
- Alien Farm Registration Act restricted all non-U.S. citizens, except
for permanent resident aliens, from owning Minnesota Agricultural land.
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1979
- Commissioner was required to establish a Minnesota food products logo
and to promulgate rules governing its use.
- Grain warehousing was transferred from the Department of Public Service
to the Department.
- Department moved form the State Office Building to a new location at
90 West Plato Boulevard in St. Paul.
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1980
- Responsibility over the inspection, grading, sampling and analysis
of hay and straw in the state was transferred from the Department of Transportation
to the department.
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1981
- The Alien Farm Registration Act was amended to transfer the responsibility
of enforcing provisions that restricts aliens and non-U.S. corporations
from owning agricultural land from the Attorney General to the Department.
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1982
- Laws regarding the licensing and regulation of grain buyers and grain
warehouse operators who store grain for hire were recodified in the Grain
Buyer’s Act and the Grain Storage Act.
- Soil and Water Conservation Board transferred from the Department of
Natural Resources to the Department.
- Department must review state agency actions and rules which adversely
affect agricultural land and recommend alternatives to the conservation
of the land.
- Shade Tree Disease Control Program was eliminated by Laws of Minnesota
for 1982, chapter 641.
- Commissioner granted authority to inspect facilities and equipment
used for the manufacture of commercial fertilizer or soil and plant amendments.
- Commodities Promotion Act consolidated existing statutes for the Dairy,
Potato, Turkey and Soybean Research & Promotion Councils.
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1983
- The Agricultural Development Grant Program was established to expand,
improve and develop markets of Minnesota Agriculture. The program was
established with $500,000 each year of the biennium.
- Manufacturing Grade Dairy Inspections established. Nearly 12,000 manufacturing
grade dairy farms were brought under inspection through this inspection
process. Previously manufacturing grade farms had been inspected only
when a new bulk milk house was constructed.
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1984
- The Farm Advocate Program was established as a farmer to farmer assistance
program as nearly one quarter of the state farms were rejected by commercial
lenders and needed to turn to FmHA for loans.
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1985
- Minnesota farmers send enough food to Sudan to feed 20,000 people
for six months.
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1986
- State ethanol development program started to encourage production
of 240,000,000 gallons of the alternative fuel annually. As of January
2002, the annual production in Minnesota was 304,000,000 gallons.
- The Rural Finance Authority was created to preserve and develop the
state’s agricultural resources.
- The Minnesota Ag in the Classroom program established and publishes
the first Minnesota AgMag publication for students.
- The Agricultural Land Preservation began as a five county pilot program.
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1987
- The Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program established, in response
to concern over the impact of conventional agricultural, practices on
family farm profitability, health and the environment. The purpose of
the program is to demonstrate and promote alternative practices which
are sound, profitable and which enhance the self sufficiency of Minnesota
farmers.
- The Agricultural Land Preservation program went state wide allowing
every county in the state outside of the metro area to develop comprehensive
land-use plans and ordinances which in turn allow farmers to file agricultural
restrictive covenants on their land and receive property tax credits.
- Pesticide Control Law becomes law containing provisions that give the
department authority to determine impacts of pesticides on ground and
surface water, place the cleanup responsibilities for pesticide incidents
on those responsible; increased enforcement capabilities; gave department
authority to administer fines for violators and also provides language
that addresses preventive safeguards in chemigation and bulk storage.
- Department is given authority to provide a penalty for food firms that
start operating before obtaining a food handlers license from the department.
During fiscal year 1988 326 firms were found operating without a license
resulting in $7,824 in penalties.
- Minnesota Hay Hotline established
- The Minnesota Trade Office was moved from the Department of Agriculture
and placed within the Department of Trade and Economic Development. The
Marketing Division of this department retains primary responsibility for
promoting Minnesota Agriculture.
- The Soil and Water Conservation Board was moved from the department
and became the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
- The Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources granted the department
$490,000 to establish biological insect pest control.
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1989
- Groundwater Protection Act enacted which dramatically changed laws
related to protection and human health.
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1992
- Directory of meat processors that sell directly to consumers is published
by the Marketing Division for the first time.
- Legislature passes a bill that guarantees Grade A dairy farmers a minimum
price of $13.20 per cwt., to be administered by the Dairy and Livestock
Division. The law is later declared unconstitutional.
![divider line](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116023607im_/http://www.mda.state.mn.us/images/content_line.gif)
1993
- The “Three Hundred Year Flood” delayed river movement
for most of the barge season and decreased crops made rail traffic decline.
Grain Inspection revenue decreased and service requests became erratic.
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1996
- A new federal farm bill was passed that shifted the focus of American
agriculture by eliminating the old subsidy programs and instituting a
seven-year program of gradually declining market transition payments allowing
farmers to produce what the marketplace demands rather than what the government
pays.
- Dairy Profitability and Enhancement Program established to provide
one-on-one assistance to dairy producers to make their farms more profitable.
![divider line](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116023607im_/http://www.mda.state.mn.us/images/content_line.gif)
2000
- State Meat Inspection program reinstated and funded allowing local
processors to sell state inspected meat to Minnesota consumers.
- Minnesota Certification Program established to help certify agricultural
production methods to help Minnesota farmers get a premium for their crops
and livestock.
![divider line](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116023607im_/http://www.mda.state.mn.us/images/content_line.gif)
2001
- The outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom prompts
the MDA to recommend a legislative strategy for action should there be
an outbreak of the disease in Minnesota.
![divider line](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116023607im_/http://www.mda.state.mn.us/images/content_line.gif)
2002
- Livestock Friendly County established to encourage livestock development
on a county-by-county basis.
- MDA successfully eliminates major infestation of gypsy moths in south
Minneapolis near Lake Harriet.
![divider line](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116023607im_/http://www.mda.state.mn.us/images/content_line.gif)
2003
- MDA joins the University of Minnesota, the Extension Service, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service
and USDA Farm Service Agency to sign a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) pledging to work together to enhance Minnesota's organic agriculture
industry. This organic partnership is the first of its kind to occur
anywhere in the country.
![divider line](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116023607im_/http://www.mda.state.mn.us/images/content_line.gif)
2004
- MDA hosts the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments
of Agriculture (NASDA) in St. Paul. The NASDA meeting draws the top state
agriculture officials from around the country, giving Minnesota an opportunity
to showcase the state’s agricultural community.
![divider line](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116023607im_/http://www.mda.state.mn.us/images/content_line.gif)
2005
- MDA moves to new Orville L. Freeman Building at 625 North Robert Street
in St. Paul. The new building serves as the headquarters for both MDA and
the Minnesota Department of Health, helping to further strengthen cooperative
ties between the two agencies in areas such as food safety.
- Minnesota becomes the first in the nation to include 2 percent biodiesel
in all diesel fuel sold in the state.
![divider line](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116023607im_/http://www.mda.state.mn.us/images/content_line.gif)
2006
- MDA creates new award program called "Good Farm Neighbor of the
Month," designed to honor livestock producers who are both good neighbors
and caring stewards of the environment. The award is presented monthly
by the MDA in partnership with the Linder Farm Network, Minnesota Farm
Network, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, and Minnesota Soybean Promotion
Council.
- As a dangerous form of highly pathogenic avian influenza known as "H5N1"
or "Asian
bird flu" spreads across Asia, Europe and Africa, MDA steps up preparations
for an outbreak in North America, and for a potential human influenza
pandemic sparked by a mutation of the virus.
![divider line](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116023607im_/http://www.mda.state.mn.us/images/content_line.gif)
2007
- MDA's AgBMP loan program passes the milestone of $100 million in
low-interest loans. The program provides loans to farmers, rural landowners
and agricultural supply businesses to finance projects that protect
water quality.
- As the highly destructive tree pest called emerald ash borer spreads
west from Michigan into Illinois, MDA and its partner agencies step
up efforts to inform Minnesotans of the risks of transporting tree
pests inside firewood. The campaign urges campers to buy firewood at
or near their campsite, and includes the slogan "Buy it where you burn it."
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