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 Seal of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries | |
| Independent agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | February 23, 1883 (1883-02-23) |
| Jurisdiction | Alabama |
| Employees | 300 full-time and 250 part-time |
| Annual budget | $25 million |
| Minister responsible | |
| Independent agency executive |
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| Website | agi |
TheAlabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is an independentagency of thegovernment of Alabama first created by an Act of the State Legislature on February 23, 1883. The Department is responsible for servingfarmers and consumers of agricultural products and operates with an annual budget of just under $25 million. The Department has about 300 full-time employees and 250 part-time employees.[1]
The Department is under the direction and supervision of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. The first Commissioner was Edward C. Betts of Madison County and he was appointed by then Governor of Alabama,Edward A. O'Neal. In 1891, the legislature changed it to a statewide elected office chosen in partisan elections, but allowing the Governor to fill vacancies that occur during a term due to death or resignation. Commissioners have always been eligible to serve an unlimited number of terms, but not consecutively. Beginning with the 1970 election Commissioners were then allowed to serve two consecutive terms.[2]
The current and 30th Commissioner isRick Pate ofLowndes County who was elected in November, 2018 and assumed office on January 14, 2019. His immediate predecessor and the 29th Commissioner wasJohn McMillan, aRepublican first elected in November 2010 and not eligible to seek a third consecutive term. Commissioner McMillan previously worked for theAlabama Forestry Commission. Jack Thompson was the first Republican elected Commissioner. Both Commissioners Pete Gilmer and McMillan Lane were first appointed to office by Governor George C. Wallace upon the death of their predecessors. A. W. Todd not only has the distinction of being the only Commissioner to serve three terms, but he was both the youngest and the oldest Commissioner. The following is a list of all the commissioners:[3]
The Commissioner is assisted in managing the Department by a Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff, two Deputy Commissioners and one Assistant Commissioner.
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