The Idaho Legislature created the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) in 1919 to assist and regulate the state's fast-growing agricultural industry. The primary purposes for establishment were to protect Idaho's crops and livestock from the introduction and spread of pests and transmittable diseases, to help provide the industry with a system for the orderly marketing of agricultural commodities, and to protect consumers from contaminated products or fraudulent marketing practices. These purposes still drive the department today.

The department derives its statutory authority from multiple sections of the Idaho Code. Section 22-101 creates the Department of Agriculture and the position of director. Section 22-102 provides that the director “shall organize the department into such divisions and other administrative sub-units as may be necessary in order to efficiently administer the department,” and section 22-103 lists specific directorial duties.

In addition to the seven divisions which primarily make up the ISDA, five commodity commissions - the Idaho Alfalfa and Clover Seed Commission, Idaho Honey Advertising Commission, Idaho Hop Commission, Idaho Mint Commission and Idaho Sheep Commission - are also technically housed within the ISDA, although each entity maintains its autonomy. The department works closely with all other agriculture commodity commissions. The Idaho Food Quality Assurance Laboratory was assigned by the Idaho Legislature to the Department of Agriculture on July 1, 2005, and the department works cooperatively with the Idaho Food Quality Assurance Institute to administrator the day-to-day operations of the laboratory.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has a current budget of approximately $35 million. For FY2011, the state general fund accounts for 18.8 percent of the budget. The remainder of the department’s funding comes from various types of fees assessed directly to the segment of industry being regulated or receiving services. Federal sources also assist the department with the funding of certain programs. The department is currently staffed with approximately 327 full-time employees. The Bureau of Shipping Point Inspection and other units of the department also hire hundreds of seasonal employees each year.

Outreach is a key component to w orking with Idaho growers and commodity producers. By observing enforcement trends from the previous year, the Division of Ag ricultural Resources ’ speakers address ed problem areas by developing and presenting sessions that specifically target ed the previous year’s enforcement issues. This approach allow ed the division to correct enforcement issues for Idaho’s growers and producers.

Again, the Division of Animal Industries faced several animal disease incidents. Bovine Tuberculosis was confirmed on a dairy in west Texas in June 2009. Animals from that herd had been sold to dairies and heifer raising lots in many states, including Idaho . T races were completed into, within and out of the state of Idaho. No Idaho animals were found to be infected with bovine tuberculosis.

In July of 2009, the division was notified by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Lab that 21 stallions ha d been confirmed as positive for contagious equine metritis. Idaho had 12 mares potentially infected or exposed to the disease . Staff located, quarantined and tested all 12 mares, which were determined to be negative for the disease. All horses were released from quarantine.

A positive brucellosis herd was discovered in eastern Idaho in late November 2009 as a result of slaughter surveillance. In response to the identification of the positive herd, ISDA Animal Industries personnel initiated an epidemiological investigation in cooperation with USDA APHIS Veterinary Services . As a result of the investigation 5,522 head of cattle from 26 herds were tested . Idaho ’s Brucellosis Class Free status remain ed intact .

The first year of a comprehensive prevention program for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), specifically quagga and zebra mussels, occurred in 2009.  Prevention efforts included mandatory watercraft inspection stations strategically located at 18 sites across the state.  These stations performed over 18,000 inspections of boats and other watercraft statewide and over 300 water samples were taken in an effort to monitor any possible populations of quagga or zebra mussels in the state.  No mussels were found in Idaho waters, and one boat was impounded for decontamination. Data collected during boat inspections greatly assisted the department in understanding boat traffic patterns and will be valuable in strategizing for future prevention efforts.

The department considers each new challenge a new opportunity and stands ready to provide leadership.

A Mission, A Vision, A Philosophy

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has adopted the following mission, vision and philosophy to help direct the agency’s regulatory, promotional, and policy-making activities toward a common goal:

Mission

Serving consumers and agriculture by safeguarding the public, plants, animals and environment through promotion, education and regulation.

Vision

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has an ever-important place in one of the state’s largest industry sectors. We recognize that Idaho’s economic well-being is forever tied to the health of its farming and ranching. We also recognize that new opportunities exist that will redefine the future of agriculture in Idaho. As agriculture changes, ensuring efficient and superior service delivery will continue to be the department’s foremost priority. The pledge has been made to optimize the value of principles our farmers and ranchers have framed over the past century.

The director believes that fostering a cooperative atmosphere within the agency and with other state agencies creates the opportunity for increased internal efficiency, as well as, prompt and complete customer-driven service delivery. She will continue to encourage personal and professional development through education and training, and motivate employees by providing meaningful work-related challenges. In addition, her availability to the public and agency employees reinforces her commitment to the success of the industry.

ISDA Goals and Objectives

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture strives to be the model for government agencies, providing a careful balance of education, regulation and promotion of the agriculture industry in the state. ISDA will:

• Offer superior protection to the public and the agriculture industry.
• Improve the quality and uniformity of current services provided to industry.
• Enhance the department’s customer service structure.
• Address public concerns regarding animal care and water and air quality.
• Continue to educate the agriculture industry about environmental stewardship and statutory obligations.
• Work with the agriculture industry to identify Best Management Practices.
• Provide the public with timely and accurate information on regulatory and monitoring activities.
• Support full implementation of a record management program.
• Work closely with the public, agriculture industry and other government agencies to identify emerging issues.
• Promote Idaho agriculture products through trade shows, trade missions, in-store promotions, cooking shows, publications and other events.
• Increase the identity, awareness and consumption of products grown and processed in Idaho through the Idaho Preferred® label.
• Improve domestic and international transportation systems for agricultural products.
• Increase exports through the management of Idaho trade offices in Mexico, Taiwan, and China while working to identify and remove trade barriers that prohibit or limit export of Idaho products.
• Continue to ensure the accuracy and reliability of scales and devices that are used by consumers and producers.
• Encourage employee innovation, creativity and forward-thinking.
• Continue to examine the department’s organizational and operational framework to find efficiencies.

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