Ohio Director of Agriculture
| Ohio Director of Agriculture | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $154,502 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $185,066,674 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the governor |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Ohio Director of Agriculture
Brian Baldridge | |
| Other Ohio Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Ohio Director of Agriculture is an appointed executive position in the Ohio state government. The director is responsible for regulating the state's agriculture industry and protecting its food supply. The duties of the director and the Department of Agriculture have evolved over time. The specific duties of the office include overseeing the county and state fair systems, coordinating with local county agricultural boards, and assisting farmers in increasing production and enhancing crop and livestock quality. The director of agriculture is appointed by, and serves as the pleasure of, the governor.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Ohio Director of Agriculture is Brian Baldridge (nonpartisan). Baldridge assumed office in 2023.
Authority
In 1845, a group of Ohio farmers came together and organized the Ohio Board of Agriculture. A year later, the Ohio General Assembly formally recognized the group, and in 1920 the name was changed to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.[2]
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications for this office. General qualifications to hold a statewide, constitutionally authorized office are outlined in Article VX, Section 4 of the state Constitution:
- resident of Ohio
- a qualified elector
- at least 18 years old
|
No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this state unless possessed of the qualifications of an elector.[3] |
Appointments
The director of agriculture is appointed by, and serves as the pleasure of, the governor.[3]
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy in the office, the governor will appoint a successor.[3]
Duties
The duties of the director and the Department of Agriculture have evolved over time. The specific duties of the office include:
- oversee the county and state fair systems
- coordinate with local county agricultural boards
- assist farmers in increasing production and enhancing crop and livestock quality
- work to contain and eliminate diseases in both wild and domesticated animals
- inspects and monitors the safety of amusement park rides
- maintain standards and for weights and measurements, and inspect measurement devices[2]
Divisions
- Updated January 26, 2021
- Administration
- Amusement Ride Safety & Fairs
- Animal Health
- Communications Office
- Dairy
- Enforcement
- Food Safety
- Hemp Program
- Legal Office
- Livestock Environmental Permitting
- Markets
- Meat Inspection
- Plant Health
- Soil & Water Conservation
- Weights and Measures
State budget
- See also: Ohio state budget and finances
The budget for the Department of Agriculture in Fiscal Year 2025 was $185,066,674.[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $154,502, according to the Council of State Governments.[5]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $150,010, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2021
In 2021, the director received a salary of $142,230, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2020
In 2020, the director received a salary of $143,853, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2019
In 2019, the director received a salary of $140,005, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2018
In 2018, the director received a salary of $134,846, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2017
In 2017, the director received a salary of $125,278, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2016
In 2016, the director received a salary of $125,278, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2015
In 2015, the director received a salary $116,397, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2014
In 2014, the director received a salary of $116,397, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2013
In 2013, the director received a salary of $116,397, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2010
In 2010, the director received a salary of $111,072, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Ohio Director of Agriculture has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Ohio Director of Agriculture. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Ohio Department of Agriculture
8995 East Main Street
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-3399
Phone: 614-728-6201
Fax: 614-728-6310
Ohio Relay Service: 1-800-750-0750
See also
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Ohio Department of Agriculture, "Home," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ohio History Central, "Ohio Department of Agriculture," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Ohio Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Ohio," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ The Ohio Legislature, "Amended Substitute House Bill 33," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 26, 2021
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed January 26, 2021
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