Michelle Medina, Director
Appointed January 2022

Michelle Medina has served as Director of Government Relations since January 2022. She spent more than six years working for the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) organization in several capacities, most recently as Director of Programming. Medina holds degrees in Agricultural Education Leadership and Communication and Spanish Studies from the University of Minnesota and is a graduate of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program.

The Government Relations office provides an essential link between the MDA and the state legislature, working with the Governor's Office, legislators, and department staff to shape and monitor agricultural policy. The Government Relations office and the Commissioners provide legislative recommendations on a wide variety of agricultural issues and work to implement policy working groups created by the legislature.


Legislative Reports

Boards & Commissions

The State of Minnesota is committed to recruiting applicants from across Minnesota’s diverse communities to serve on Boards and Commissions. This includes but is not limited to Tribal Nations, communities in Greater Minnesota, Black communities and communities of color, as well as recruiting individuals with disabilities and veterans. These are the Boards and Commissions that relate to the agriculture sector:

  • American Indian Advisory Council
  • Board of Animal Health
  • Board of Water and Soil Resources
  • Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage
  • Council for Asian Pacific Minnesotans
  • Food Safety and Defense Task Force
  • Good Food Access Program Advisory Committee
  • LCCMR Trust Fund Citizen Selection Committee
  • Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
  • Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council
  • Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program Advisory Committee
  • Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs
  • Minnesota Biodiesel Task Force
  • Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine
  • Minnesota Environmental Quality Board
  • Minnesota Forest Resources Council
  • Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force
  • Minnesota Rural Finance Authority
  • Noxious Weed Advisory Committee
  • Pesticide Management Plan Committee
  • Seed Program Advisory Committee
  • State Advisory Council on Mental Health

All Minnesotans are encouraged to apply here: Open Positions Search (state.mn.us)