FDACS Divisions and Offices
Divisions
Administration
Handles the administrative functions of the Department and reports
to the Office of the Commissioner. Its responsibilities range from
personnel management, employee training, and fiscal operations, facilities management, telecommunications, purchasing,
mail room, and print shop operations. Oversight is provided by the
Director’s Office which also manages additional program areas such
as Agency Clerk, Contract Management, Department Leases, Publications
and Forms Control.
Agricultural Environmental Services
Responsibilities include statewide mosquito control program coordination,
pesticide registration, pesticide use regulation, structural pest
control regulation, and feed, seed, and fertilizer registration and
inspection. The Division of Agricultural Environmental Services
assists and protects consumers by decreasing the number of pesticide,
pest control, fertilizer, feed and seed licensees and products that
are unlawful, unsafe or unethical. The Division is responsible
for enforcing the provisions of all or part of Chapters 388, 482,
487, 570, 576, 578, and 580, Florida Statutes.
Animal Industry
Responsible for enforcing animal health regulations in Florida and
protecting the state from animal pests and diseases, which could
have major economic and public health consequences.
Aquaculture
Responsibilities include regulating aquaculture facilities and shellfish
processing plants, classifying and managing shellfish harvesting
areas to reduce the risk of shellfish-borne illness, managing leases
of submerged state lands, and restoring oyster reefs to ensure continued
productivity.
Consumer Services
The Division of Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, information and protection. The division regulates various businesses such as; Business Opportunities, Motor Vehicle Repair Shops, Charitable Organizations, Florida Do Not Call Program, Dance Studios, Pawnbrokers, Health Studios, Sellers of Travel, Intrastate Movers, Professional Surveyors and Mappers, Sweepstakes/Game Promotions and Telemarketing. In addition, the division protects consumers from unfair and unsafe business practices across a wide range of products, including gasoline, brake fluid, antifreeze, liquefied petroleum gas, amusement rides and weighing and measuring devices.
Florida Forest Service
Responsible for managing over one million acres of state forest resources
for future generations and for protecting the state of Florida and
our citizens, through detection and suppression, from the dangers
of wildland fire. Additionally, the division is actively involved
in wildfire prevention and providing assistance for private forest
landowners.
Food Safety
Responsible for assuring the public of a safe, wholesome and properly
represented food supply through permitting and inspection of food
establishments, inspection of food products, and performance of specialized
laboratory analyses on a variety of food products sold or produced
in the State. The Division monitors food from farm gate through processing
and distribution to the retail point of purchase.
Food, Nutrition and Wellness
As the administrator of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, Afterschool Snack Program, Summer Food Service Program, Seamless Summer Option Program and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, the Division is committed to ensuring that every child in Florida benefits from nutritious meals that foster better learning and a lifetime of good health.
Program responsibilities include advocating changes in policy that ensure the most nutritious meal is provided to children and that all children in Florida are educated on the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. The Division is also responsible for developing, disseminating, evaluating and approving all pertinent program documents required for participation; providing technical assistance in the areas of implementation, facilities improvement and food service methods; on-site monitoring of programs for compliance with State and Federal regulations; and providing financial assistance.
Fruit and Vegetables
The Division of Fruit and Vegetables inspects and certifies all fresh shipments of vegetables, fruit, and nuts as may be assigned or supported in connection with regulations issued under federal and state marketing orders and/or rules. In support of that goal, licenses for all citrus dealers, registrants, and agents of licensed fruit dealers, packing houses, and processing plants are collected and maintained annually. In addition, the Division Inspects all fresh tomato packing houses and farms to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Notwithstanding, the Division also inspects fresh produce not covered by regulation on a request basis in support of outside entity, export laws, and commercial requirements. Furthermore, In support of the inspection and food safety guidelines, the Division maintains testing equipment, facilities at processing plants, packing houses, and conducts methods for maturity and load evaluation procedures.
Licensing
Responsible for protecting the public from unethical business practices
on the part of persons providing private security, private investigative
and recovery services to the public through licensure and regulation
of those industries pursuant to Chapter
493, Florida Statutes. In addition, the Division is responsible
for the issuance of Concealed Weapon or Firearm Licenses in accordance
with Section 790.06,
Florida Statutes.
Marketing and Development
Develops strategies to facilitate the buying, selling, and marketing
of Florida agricultural products. The division administers the Florida
Agricultural Promotional Campaign (FAPC), also known as "Fresh from
Florida," that assists the state’s agricultural producers in expanding
markets. It also operates 13 wholesale farmers’ markets that support
agricultural commerce, licenses and bonds agricultural products dealers,
and supports and administers five food distribution programs in cooperation
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Plant Industry
Works to detect, intercept and control plant and honey bee pests that
threaten Florida's native and commercially grown plants and agricultural
resources.
Offices
Agricultural
Emergency Preparedness
Provides the Department with professional expertise and leadership
in statewide homeland security issues involving agricultural and food
systems. It is responsible for analysis and evaluation of threats to
animal and plant agriculture and to food production, processing, storage,
and transportation systems.
Agricultural Law Enforcement
Responsible for conducting inspections of highway shipments of agricultural,
horticultural, aquacultural and livestock commodities, as well as
investigations of consumer fraud, enforcement of criminal and civil
violations occurring within State Forests or any crimes involving
agriculture.
Agricultural Water
Policy
Actively involved in the development of Best Management Practices (BMPs),
addressing both water quality and water conservation on a site specific,
regional, and watershed basis.
Office of Energy
The Office of Energy is the primary organization for state energy programs and policies. Office of Energy responsibilities include administering financial incentive programs and working cooperatively with other entities to develop state energy policies and programs.
Office of General Counsel
Provides legal representation and services to the Commissioner and the Department in the furtherance of their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
Office of Inspector General
Protects and promotes public integrity and accountability within the
Department through audits that detect fraud, waste and abuse and
the investigation of criminal and administrative violations.
