Agency Overview
With a biennial budget of approximately $36.5 million and 86 authorized employees, The Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) is a moderately sized executive branch agency. A significant share, 37%, of the WDA budget is pass through funds to local governments. Partnerships and local government collaboration are an important part of WDA’s work. In addition, WDA’s regulatory structure and field staff allow for coverage in communities all across Wyoming with over 40 of our staff located outside of Cheyenne Wyoming serving all counties in the State.

Agency Background and Structure
WDA programming provides a diverse array of services to the residents of the State which includes safety of our food, water, and environment; integrity of weights and measures; specialty crop producers and farmers’ markets; and agriculture and natural resources policy.  The WDA contains the following divisions:

Administration: provides management and support to WDA divisions which includes fiscal services, human resources, public information,  as well as grant writing to support specialty crops and agricultural producers and marketers
Analytical Services Lab: provides chemistry and microbiological data through qualitative and quantitative analysis to support WDA regulatory programs as well as providing data and testing capabilities for the citizens and industry of the state

Consumer Health Services: regulates and trains for consumer protection in Wyoming’s food and environmental health industries. Focus for this group includes food establishment and meat plant regulation.

Natural Resources and Policy: reviews, analyzes, monitors, and comments on natural resource issues impacting producers.  The Division also provides training and expertise in rangeland monitoring, NEPA, grazing regulations and other federal land use policies.

Technical Services: regulates and trains for consumer protection, with focuses on: fuel quality, grain warehouses, pesticides, plant industry, product registration, rodent and predator management, weed and pest, weights and measures, as well as hemp.

In addition, the Department supports eight affiliate organizations:

Wyoming State Fair Board: manages the facilities of State Fair Park for the citizens of Wyoming, offering year-around options for use as well as the annual State Fair

Wyoming Beef Council: administers the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 in the State of Wyoming.  Collects and administers the beef checkoff assessment paid by Wyoming beef producers to fund beef promotion, education, and research programs designed to increase beef demand

Wyoming Conservation Districts: in collaboration with 34 conservation districts, protects Wyoming’s soil, water and other natural resources with a focus on water quality and board training.

Wyoming Animal Damage Management Board: in collaboration with 22 county predator boards, coordinates and implements an integrated animal damage management program, based on the best available science, for the benefit of human and natural resources throughout Wyoming.

Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom:  creates, distributes, and promotes quality educational materials on agriculture and natural resources to Wyoming educators, students and citizens

Wyoming Weed and Pest Council:  in collaboration with 23 county weed and pest boards, provides coordination and leadership in the fight against designated and declared noxious weeds and pests and invasive species in the state of Wyoming.

Wyoming Dry Bean Commission:  promotes, markets, producer education, research, and consumer awareness of Wyoming’s dry bean industry

Wyoming Wheat Marketing Commission: promotes, markets, producer education, research, and consumer awareness of Wyoming’s wheat