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Data Practices

651-201-6453

The Data Practices office processes requests for data classified as public under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Public data is available to anyone who submits a valid data request. This includes private individuals, reporters, attorneys, and businesses.

Finance and Budget

651-201-6002

Human Resources

651-201-6023

The MDA Human Resources Division provides services in the areas of recruitment, selection, personnel transaction processing, job classification, compensation administration, benefits information and processing, labor relations, diversity, health/safety promotion, and facilities management.

MN.IT Services

651-201-1118

Agricultural Marketing and Development

651-201-6012

The Agricultural Marketing and Development Division assists farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses in adopting practices and technologies to address current challenges and global issues. Activities include the development, marketing, and promotion of local foods, organics, livestock, and renewable fuels as well as the development of domestic and international market opportunities for agricultural products. The division administers the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program which includes grant and cost-share programs that support the agricultural and renewable energy industries. The division fosters research on the use and protection of ag land and related natural resources, and identifies and demonstrates sustainable agriculture practices and systems.

Dairy and Meat Inspection

651-201-6300

The Dairy and Meat Inspection Division is responsible for inspecting animal slaughter and meat processing facilities, dairy farms and dairy processing facilities, and shell egg facilities. The division provides education and enforcement of state laws and regulations at these businesses to ensure the production of safe and wholesome food. Additionally, the division operates a Drug Residue Prevention Program to educate livestock producers on preventing occurrences of antibiotic residues in meat and milk products, and a Venison Donation Program cooperatively with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to facilitate the donation of hunter-harvested venison to local food charities.

Food and Feed Safety Inspection

651-201-6027

The Food and Feed Safety Inspection Division houses four regulatory inspection programs (Manufactured Food, Retail Food, Commercial Animal Feed, and Produce Safety) which enforce state laws and regulations related to the production and processing of foods, beverages, produce, and animal feed. The division inspects grocery stores, convenience stores, food processing facilities, feed mills, and pet food manufacturers to verify quality, condition, labeling, and sanitation of premises, equipment, and vehicles used in the sale, storage, or distribution of foods and beverages. The division also works with federal, state, and local health officials to investigate food contamination complaints and foodborne illness outbreaks.

Government Relations

651-201-6480

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.

Laboratory Services

651-201-6010

Laboratory Services Division provides microbiological and chemical analysis of samples to determine if the samples meet the standards established under law, regulation, or label. Additionally, the division performs analyses to fulfill contracts and cooperative agreements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal and state agencies.

Pesticide and Fertilizer Management 

651-201-6006

The Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division regulates the sale and use of pesticides and fertilizers in Minnesota. Activities include permitting and inspection of ag chemical facilities, licensing of facilities, licensing of applicators, oversight of agricultural chemical site remediation, voluntary cleanups, and waste pesticide collection. Additionally, division personnel respond to emergencies, conduct pesticide misuse investigations, monitor surface water and ground water for agricultural chemicals, and develop and promote best management practices. 

Plant Protection 

651-201-6020

The Plant Protection Division is responsible for preventing, detecting and responding to invasive plants, pathogens and pests that threaten Minnesota's agricultural and natural systems. The division regulates agricultural processes including the labeling and sale of seed, purchase and storage of grain, hemp production, sale of nursery stock, and seed potato certification. The division also inspects, grades, and certifies agricultural commodities for sale as well as importation into domestic or international markets. These activities contribute to the mission of the agency by protecting agriculture and the environment from pest threats, ensuring truth in labeling, and verifying the quality of Minnesota products for sale or export.

Rural Finance Authority

651-201-6004

The Rural Finance Authority partners with local lenders to provide low-interest loan programs to farmers. These include Ag Best Management Practices loans for projects that help Minnesota landowners comply with local water quality plans, and loans to make improvements, expand livestock operations, recover from disasters, purchase real estate, and restructure debt.

Tribal Relations

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture seeks to foster and facilitate positive government-to-government relations with Minnesota's 11 Tribal Nations and recognizes their right to self-govern. The agency employs a Tribal Liaison to help develop, improve, and maintain collaborative relations with the Tribal Nations.

Inspection

No inspection is required for poultry farmers who do their own processing and sell fewer than 1,000 home-raised poultry per year from their farm directly to the end consumer. Farmers selling more than 1,000 birds per year, or who sell their poultry off the premises of their own farm (e.g. at a farmers' market, roadside stand), may be subject to inspection, though processing facilities do not need pre-approval by the MDA.

Licensing

When processing and selling your own poultry directly to end consumers, you may be exempt from state licensing as long as the following requirements are met:

• The farm slaughters fewer than 20,000 birds annually.
• No birds are offered for sale or transportation in interstate commerce (i.e., across state lines).
• The farmer sells only birds raised on his/her own farm.
• The poultry products are sold as whole birds or minimally processed, with no added ingredients (no smoking or curing permitted).
• The poultry farmer slaughters his/her own birds under sanitary conditions.
• The farmer must keep slaughter and sales records.
• Poultry is properly labeled with the following:
  • The farmer's name
  • The name and address of the farm, including the zip code
  • The product name
  • “Exempt PL 90-492”
  • Safe handling information

While the MDA does not license these farmers, we do encourage them to register as on-farm exempt poultry producers. There is no fee associated with this, and registered producers receive a certificate from the MDA.

Yes, if you have a facility that meets the requirements as outlined in 9 CFR 416.2 - 416.5. These facilities may be subject to inspection by the MDA to ensure proper construction and sanitation. Home-slaughtered birds may be sold to end consumers at farmers' markets, but they cannot be sold at grocery stores or other retail outlets.

Farmers selling whole or minimally processed poultry (no other ingredients added) from their own flock are not required to be licensed. However, certain local governments may require licensing to sell products at a farmers' market so it is important to check with your market manager about local regulations, as well. For information on processing options, see the answer to the question below.

To sell these chickens, your local butcher would need to be a USDA inspected or Minnesota “Equal To” inspected processing plant. These plants must meet more stringent food safety standards than those for custom exempt plants. During a USDA or Minnesota Equal To inspection, each chicken is inspected for food safety and wholesomeness to ensure the chickens have been processed to the highest level of food safety. For a list of USDA plants, contact the USDA Des Moines District Office at 1-800-990-9834. Minnesota Equal To plants are listed online at Minnesota State "Equal To" Plants. A farmer can also process their own poultry for sales to end consumers at a farmers' market. Learn more about Selling Farm-Slaughtered Poultry and Rabbits.

There are no regulatory requirements for an individual to process their own birds for their own personal use.

These birds must be processed under USDA or Minnesota "Equal To" inspection. Licensing is not required by the state if you are only selling birds you have raised.