Divisions of the Missouri Department of Agriculture
Agriculture Business Development
The Agriculture Business Development Division helps create opportunities for success for farmers and agribusinesses statewide in three ways. First, our staff helps by providing high-quality business counseling, information and training on a sector-by-sector basis through its business and industry support program. Areas of specialization include capitalization, business planning, marketing, industry development, product and brand development, organizational structures and legal issues. Second, our staff helps by working with key players such as universities, associations, private sector partners and federal and state agencies to facilitate the growth of each sector. Third, our staff helps grow the demand for products grown, raised and processed in Missouri by increasing consumer awareness and sales. The AgriMissouri marketing program serves as the overall brand for all domestic promotions. The division’s international marketing program works worldwide to sell Missouri agricultural products. The program has international offices in Taiwan and works with the Department of Economic Development’s offices worldwide.
Animal Health
The health of Missouri’s livestock is enviable among states. Our stringent animal health regulations and rigorous disease testing help keep Missouri free from costly and threatening livestock diseases. The Animal Health Division, under the direction of the state veterinarian, is responsible for controlling, eradicating and testing for livestock disease in Missouri. This is accomplished through testing, vaccinations and regulatory programs involving cattle, swine, horses, poultry, exotic animals, sheep, goats and small animals as provided under the Diseased Animal Law.
Grain Inspection & Warehousing Division
Missouri’s grain industry is one of the most vibrant in the nation, largely due to producer integrity, reputable grain businesses and the regulatory work of this division. Show Me State producers annually harvest 650 million bushels of grain valued at more than $2 billion. The division is composed primarily of three programs: Grain Inspection Services, Grain Regulatory Services and the Commodity Merchandising Program.
Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority
The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority is a seven-member bipartisan commission tasked with helping new and expanding agricultural producers finance their operations and add value to their products.
Plant Industries Division
The Plant Industries Division’s work is often carried out behind the scenes, well out of the public eye. Yet the the division’s services are vital to Missouri producers and consumer protection. The division works to prevent the spread of harmful insects and plant diseases; registers pesticides; licenses pesticide applicators; assures label accuracy and quality of commercial feeds and seeds; and inspects fresh fruits and vegetables to assure quality and grade.
State Fair
The Missouri State Fair is the premium showcase of Missouri agriculture, as well as the state’s industrial, mineral and cultural resources. Established in 1899, it is one of the oldest fairs in the country. The state fairgrounds occupy 396 beautiful acres in the southwest section of Sedalia, and many of the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places’. The State Fair plays an important role in shaping Missouri agriculture, contributing to the state’s economy and educating the public about the importance and necessity of agriculture. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people attend the fair, which features educational and recreational opportunities, and offers exhibits and competitions of Missouri agriculture: livestock, row crops, fruits and vegetables, farm equipment and arts and crafts.
State Milk Board
The 12-member board administers the state’s Grade A and manufacturing grade milk sanitation programs. The board administers milk inspection relating to Grade A milk and milk supplies to assure uniformity of procedures and interpretation of milk inspection regulations. The Grade A or fluid milk activities of the state are supported by revenue from milk inspection fees. The manufacturing grade dairy program enforces sanitation and quality standards for manufactured dairy products and provides market testing of all milk at the first point of sale. Milk procurers, manufacturing plants, field superintendents, testers, grades, samplers, bulk milk truck operators and market testing laboratories are licensed by the State Milk Board.
Weights & Measures Division
The work performed by the Weights and Measures Division touches the lives of all Missourians. Known as the department’s consumer protection arm, the division protects buyers and sellers whenever goods and services are exchanged. Its responsibilities include: inspecting the accuracy of weighing and metering devices; providing precise calibration of equipment; ensuring fuel quality; inspection of eggs; ensuring milk is not sold under cost; and ensuring public safety at premises where petroleum products and LPG (propane) are stored.
Wine & Grape
The Missouri Wine & Grape Board (MWGB) is funded by a twelve cents-per-gallon tax on wine sales. We coordinate our marketing and public relations activities with wholesalers, restaurant operators, retailers, and the public. Our goals are to strengthen interest in, and patronage of, our state’s grape, grape juice, and wine industry. We also underwrite the Institute for Continental Climate Viticulture & Enology (ICCVE) in its work with winemakers and grape growers developing grape varieties suitable for Missouri.