Wyoming Director of Agriculture
| Wyoming Director of Agriculture | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Non-partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| 2013-2014 FY Budget: | $39,865,755 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the governor |
| Authority: | Wyoming Code, Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 1 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder | |
 | |
| Name: | Jason Fearneyhough |
| Assumed office: | July 1, 2009 |
| Compensation: | $107,588 |
| Other Wyoming Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditors: Auditor • Director • Superintendent of Education • • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Jason Fearneyhough.
Authority
Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 1 of the Wyoming Code created the department of agriculture and established the director of agriculture as its manager:
| A state department of agriculture is created under the management and control of the director with the advice of the board of agriculture... |
Qualifications
Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 2 of the Wyoming Code establishes the qualifications of the office:
(a) The director of the department of agriculture shall:
(b) The governor with the approval of the senate, shall appoint the director. The director shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and may be removed by the governor as provided in W.S. 9-1-202. Any vacancy shall be filled by the governor in accordance with W.S. 28-12-101. |
- a college graduate with at least 5 years experience in agriculture; OR
- have at least 12 years experience in agriculture and otherwise be qualified if not a college or university graduate
Appointments
According to Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 2 of the Wyoming Code, the director of agriculture shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the governor.[1]
Vacancies
Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 2 of the Wyoming Code details how vacancies in the office are filled. In the event of a vacancy for any reason, the governor shall fill the vacancy in accordance with Wyoming Statute § 28-12-101.
The governor appoints a successor, with the advice and consent of the state senate. In the event that the legislature is not in session when the position becomes vacant, the governor may fill the seat by temporary appointment to be effective until March 1 of the ensuing calendar year.[2]
Duties
Wyoming's Director of Agriculture is responsible for overseeing the state's agriculture industry and managing its natural resources.
Title 11, Chapter 2, Section 2 of the Wyoming Code outlines the powers and duties of the director:
- act as secretary and executive officer of the Wyoming Board of Agriculture;
- enforce and execute all laws of the state and rules and regulations of the board;
- cooperate with other state institutions and organizations, the agricultural departments of other states and the secretary of agriculture of the United States;
- foster a practicable conservation of state natural resources;
- publish information of practical value to state agricultural interests for free distribution among the farmers and other interested persons within the state;
- promulgate necessary rules and regulations to implement W.S. 11-2-202.[3]
Divisions
There are six divisions within the Wyoming Department of Agriculture:[4]
- The Administration Division provides fiscal, personnel, informational, technology, education, administrative support and special projects for the entire department.
- The Analytical Services Lab Division provides chemical and bacteriological analyses of antifreeze, livestock feed, forage, grain, fertilizer, dairy products, raw milk, food products, meat, petroleum fuels, natural gas, LP gas, pesticide formulations, pesticide residues, soils, ground water, surface water, drinking water, irrigation water, waste water, and sludges.
- The Consumer Health Services Division oversees the safety of Wyoming's food supply, inspects swimming pools and drinking water, and assists communities with nuisance complaints.
- The Natural Resources & Policy Division manages and enhances the state's natural resources.
- The Technical Services Division oversees state laws in seven different program areas: administration, pesticides, plant industry, rodent & predator management, seed lab, weed & pest, and weights & measures.
- The Wyoming State Fair Division
State budget
The budget for the Department of Agriculture in Fiscal Year 2013-2014 is $39,865,755.[5]
Compensation
In 2010, the Wyoming Commissioner of Insurance was paid an estimated $107,588 according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
Contact information
Wyoming Department of Agriculture:
2219 Carey Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-7321
Fax: 307-777-6593
Contact information for all divisions
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Wyoming Code, "Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 201," accessed August 24, 2011
- ↑ Wyoming Code, Title 28, Chapter 12, Article 1," accessed August 24, 2011
- ↑ Wyoming Code, "§ 11-2-202: Powers and duties of director generally," accessed August 24, 2011
- ↑ Wyoming Department of Agriculture, "Divisions," accessed August 23, 2011
- ↑ Wyoming Department of Administration and Information, "Department Budget Summary Agriculture 2013-2014," Accessed April 2, 2013
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved May 14, 2011
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