Working for agriculture and citizens of Wyoming
March 22, 2017
The value of agriculture to the state of Wyoming cannot just be measured through the direct economic impact to the state of Wyoming. While the agriculture sector brings a significant direct economic impact, the value of open spaces, heritage, wildlife conservation, and more provide immeasurable positive impacts for the citizens and state of Wyoming.
Because of this, the goal of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture is to do everything we can to ensure the strength and vitality of the agriculture industry in the State of Wyoming. As part of that effort, we have six divisions who work hard in a wide variety of areas to help reach this goal. We are responsible for enforcing several statutes and rules, administering various grants, producing the State Fair and maintaining the fairgrounds year round, making sure the agriculture industry voice is heard during the development of policies, and more. Below you will find a small sample of how the WDA works for agricultural producers and citizens of the state of Wyoming.
Administration Division – The Administration Division administers the Specialty Crop Grant program for producers throughout the state to help grow their business. Administration also communicates the message and work of the Department to citizens of the state and ensures the business of the WDA runs smoothly.
Analytical Services Laboratory – The Analytical Services lab works with Conservation Districts, producers, and others to provide the sound chemical and bacteriological analysis to help citizens make informed decisions for their business. They also make sure fertilizers are accurately labeled, test meat and other food products for harmful bacteria, and test well water for citizens of the state.
Consumer Health Services – CHS helps protect the food supply across the state through restaurant inspections, state meat plant inspections, pool inspections, child care facility inspections, and food safety education for all interested parties. This division not only protects consumers through making sure food establishments understand and follow food safety rules, but protects the agriculture industry by helping ensure consumer confidence in the products they sell.
Natural Resources and Policy – The Natural Resources and Policy division administers funding and training for Conservation Districts across the state and makes sure that Wyoming agriculture has a seat at the table during the development policy at all levels of government. They make sure the voice of agriculture is strong when policies that impact the industry are being considered.
Technical Services – Technical Services is one of our most diverse divisions. Not only do they administer the Weed and Pest program, oversee predator control, and nursery stock inspections, they also run the Weights and Measures program to help ensure that there is confidence in the livestock market by making sure producers get accurate weights when selling their livestock.
Wyoming State Fair – The Wyoming State Fair hosts the fair each year where they showcase Wyoming’s agriculture by providing a platform for statewide youth competition and agriculture education. Along with this, they maintain the fairgrounds year round for a variety of community events like 4H shooting sports, roping events, ice hockey and more.
This is just a small sample of the work the WDA does for the citizens of Wyoming, producers and the agriculture industry. As you can tell, the depth of work the WDA does for Wyoming is vast and we take pride in the value we provide the state of Wyoming. The Agriculture industry is vital to our state and we are going to do everything we can to support it.