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Delaware Secretary of Agriculture
From Ballotpedia
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current secretary is Ed Kee, who assumed office on January 22, 2011, following his appointment by Governor Jack Markell. As secretaries of agriculture serve at the governor's pleasure, Kee is not subject to periodic reappointment.
Before becoming secretary, Kee was director of agriculture for Hanover Foods Corporation. From 2004 to 2008, he was extension agricultural program leader for the University of Delaware; he also served as the university's Kent County agricultural agent and its state vegetable crops specialist. Kee holds a B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture from the University of Delaware, as well as an M.A. in Liberal Studies. He and his wife, Debbie, have two daughters and reside near Lincoln City, DE.
Authority
The office of secretary of agriculture is established by state law.[1]
Delaware Code, 29-81-8102
| (a) The administrator and head of the Department shall be the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, who shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office. |
Qualifications
State law requires the secretary to be "a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office," but does not give specific guidance as to what that training or experience is.[1]
Appointments
Secretaries are appointed by the governor and must be confirmed by a majority vote of the state Senate. They serve at the governor's pleasure.[1]
Delaware Code, 29-81-8102
| The Secretary shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. |
Term limits
There are no term limits for the office of secretary of agriculture.
Vacancies
When a vacancy occurs, the deputy secretary serves as acting secretary until the governor and Senate select a permanent replacement.[1]
Duties
The secretary is the administrative head of the Delaware Department of Agriculture, which regulates and promotes Delaware agricultural produce. It inspects agricultural goods and production facilities to promote health and safety, provides marketing assistance to the state's farmers, manages state forests, and sets standards for weights and measures. Additionally, the department produces statistics and analysis of the state's agriculture market and regulates horse racing in Delaware.
Divisions
- Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund
- Feed and Fertilizer Compliance
- Food Products Inspection
- Forest Service
- Harness Racing Commission
- Information & Education
- Land Use Planning and Preservation
- Marketing
- Nutrient Management
- Pesticides
- Plant Industries
- Poultry & Animal Health
- Thoroughbred Racing Commission
- Weights and Measures
Compensation
In 2010, the secretary received compensation in the amount of $112,660.[2] The secretary's compensation is set by law.
See also
External links
References
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