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North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services

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General information
Office Type:  Partisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $146,421
2025 FY Budget:  $182,244,062
Term limits:  None
Structure
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:   North Carolina Constitution, Article III, Section 7
Selection Method:  Elected
Current Officeholder

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler
Republican Party
Assumed office: February 8, 2005

Elections
Next election:  November 7, 2028
Last election:  November 5, 2024
Other North Carolina Executive Offices
GovernorLieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateAttorney GeneralTreasurerAuditorSuperintendent of EducationAgriculture CommissionerInsurance CommissionerNatural Resources CommissionerLabor CommissionerPublic Service Commission


The North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture is an elected state executive position in the North Carolina state government. The commissioner is the head of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and is a member of the Council of State.[1] The commissioner's primary goal is protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the ability of agriculture to produce an adequate supply of food and fiber and to enforcing regulations to that effect.[1]

The commissioner is elected by a statewide vote during presidential election years and serves for a four-year term.

Current officeholder

The current North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture is Steve Troxler (R). Troxler assumed office in 2005.

The commissioner of agriculture's establishment and term of office are derived from Article III, Section 7 of the North Carolina Constitution.

Article III, Section 7:

A Secretary of State, an Auditor, a Treasurer, a Superintendent of Public Instruction, an Attorney General, a Commissioner of Agriculture, a Commissioner of Labor, and a Commissioner of Insurance shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State in 1972 and every four years thereafter, at the same time and places as members of the General Assembly are elected. Their term of office shall be four years and shall commence on the first day of January next after their election and continue until their successors are elected and qualified.[2]

Qualifications

Article VI, Section 6 of the North Carolina Constitution establishes the qualifications of the office:

Every qualified voter in North Carolina who is 21 years of age, except as in this Constitution disqualified, shall be eligible for election by the people to office.[2]
  • Qualified North Carolina voter
  • At least 21 years of age

Vacancies

Details of vacancy appointments are addressed under Article III, Section 7.

If the office of the commissioner of agriculture is vacant, the governor appoints another to serve until a successor is elected. The vacancy is filled at the next regular election for the office.[3]

Elections

North Carolina state government organizational chart

North Carolina elect the agriculture commissioner in presidential election years. The officeholder is elected to a four-year term, which begins the first day of January following the election.[2]

2024

See also: North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner election, 2024

General election candidates


Candidate Connection = candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Democratic Party Democratic primary candidates

This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:


Candidate Connection = candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Republican Party Republican primary candidates


Candidate Connection = candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Minor Party primary candidates

    Libertarian Party

    This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:

    2020

    See also: North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner election, 2020

    General election candidates

    Democratic Party Democratic primary candidates


    Candidate Connection = candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
    Republican Party Republican primary candidates

    This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:

    2016

    See also: North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner election, 2016

    The general election for agriculture commissioner was held on November 8, 2016.

    Incumbent Steve Troxler defeated Walter Smith in the North Carolina agriculture commissioner election.

    North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner, 2016
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Republican Green check mark transparent.png Steve Troxler Incumbent 55.62% 2,498,988
         Democratic Walter Smith 44.38% 1,994,038
    Total Votes 4,493,026
    Source: ABC11

    Full history

    To view the electoral history dating back to 2000 for the office of North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, click [show] to expand the section.

     

    2012

    See also: North Carolina down ballot state executive elections, 2012

    Incumbent Steve Troxler (R) successfully won re-election, defeating Walter Smith (D) in the November 6, 2012 general election.

    North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture General Election, 2012
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Democratic Walter Smith 46.8% 2,025,054
         Republican Green check mark transparent.pngSteve Troxler Incumbent 53.2% 2,303,586
    Total Votes 4,328,640
    Election results via NC State Board of Elections

    2008

    On November 4, 2008, Steve Troxler won re-election to the office of North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture. He defeated James Ansley (D) in the general election.

    North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, 2008
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Republican Green check mark transparent.pngSteve Troxler Incumbent 52% 2,130,146
         Democratic James Ansley 48% 1,962,741
    Total Votes 4,092,887
    Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

    2004

    On November 2, 2004, Steve Troxler won election to the office of North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture. He defeated Britt Cobb (D) in the general election.

    North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, 2004
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Republican Green check mark transparent.pngSteve Troxler 50% 1,666,197
         Democratic Britt Cobb Incumbent 50% 1,663,910
    Total Votes 3,330,107
    Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

    2000

    On November 7, 2000, Meg Scott Phipps won election to the office of North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture. She defeated Steve Troxler (R) in the general election.

    North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, 2000
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMeg Scott Phipps 50.6% 1,418,164
         Republican Steve Troxler 49.4% 1,386,311
    Total Votes 2,804,475
    Election results via North Carolina State Board of Elections.

    Duties

    The commissioner of agriculture is the head of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and is a member of the Council of State. The commissioner's primary goal is protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the ability of agriculture to produce an adequate supply of food and fiber and to enforcing regulations to that effect.[1] Areas regulated and overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services include, but is not limited to: animal health, weights and measures, state farm operations, purity testing of foods, drugs, and cosmetics, soil and water conservation, and agricultural economic analysis. The commissioner also serves as the chair and ex officio member of the 11-person Board of Agriculture.[1]

    Divisions

    The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has 24 total divisions[4]

    Agricultural Finance

    The Agricultural Finance Authority provides credit by originating, financing, and servicing loans for those operating family-sized units for agricultural production and export.
    Contact Agricultural Statistics 
    Stephanie Oxley, Executive Director

    Address: 1101 Spring Forest Rd., Suite 150, Raleigh NC, 27615-5843
    Phone: 919-790-3949
    Fax: 919-790-3954

    Email: Stephanie.Oxley@ncagr.gov

    Agricultural Statistics

    The mission of the Agricultural Statistics Division is "to provide timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to North Carolina and U.S. agriculture."
    Contact Agricultural Statistics 
    Dee Webb, State Statistician

    Mailing Address: P. O. Box 27767 Raleigh, NC 27611
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3333
    Fax: 919-856-4139

    Email: dee.webb@usda.gov

    Agronomic Services

    The mission of the Agronomic Services Division is "[t]o provide all North Carolina residents with diagnostic and advisory services that increase agricultural productivity, promote responsible land management and safeguard environmental quality."
    Contact Agronomic Services 
    Colleen M. Hudak-Wise, Director

    Mailing Address: 1040 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1040
    Physical Address: 4300 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh NC 27607-6465
    Phone: 919-733-2655
    Fax: 919-733-2837

    Email: colleen.hudak@ncagr.gov

    Audit Services

    The mission of the Audit Services Division is "[t]o enhance and protect organizational value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice and insight."
    Contact Audit Services 
    Derek Allred, Director

    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

    Phone: 919-707-3163

    Budget and Finance

    The Budget and Finance Division is in charge of all business affairs of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
    Contact Budget and Finance 
    Catherine Stogner, Director

    Mailing Address: 1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1001
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3030

    Fax: 919-715-0026

    Emergency Programs

    The mission of the Emergency Programs Division is "to support the agriculture community and protect consumers by coordinating the Department's efforts to plan for, respond to and recover from emergency events and public health concerns that may impact agriculture in NC."
    Contact Emergency Programs 
    John Howard, Director

    Mailing Address: 1035 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

    Phone: 919-707-3300

    Environmental Programs

    The Environmental Programs Division advises the commissioner, chief deputy commissioner, and assistant commissioner of agriculture on those environmental related issues that may affect agribusiness and agriculture.
    Contact Environmental Programs 
    Joe Hudyncia, Environmental Program Specialist

    Mailing Address: 1005 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1001
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3070

    Fax: 919-716-0105

    Farmland Preservation

    The Farmland Preservation Division oversees the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, which supports the purchase of agricultural conservation easements, funds enterprise programs to promote sustainable family farms, and funds conservation agreements on farm, forest, and horticultural lands.
    Contact Farmland Preservation 
    Dewitt Hardee, Director

    Mailing Address: 1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3071
    Fax: 919-716-0105

    Email: dewitt.hardee@ncagr.gov

    Food and Drug Protection

    The Food and Drug Protection Division conducts investigations and implements the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which provides the framework used to administer programs designed to assure consumers in North Carolina that foods, devices, drugs, and cosmetics are safe.
    Contact Food and Drug Protection 
    Anita MacMullan, Director

    Mailing Address: 1070 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699
    Physical Address: 4000 Reedy creek Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
    Phone: 919-733-7366

    Fax: 919-733-6801

    Food Distribution

    The Food Distribution Division distributes U.S. Department of Agriculture commodities to eligible Recipient Agencies through six food programs.
    Contact Food Distribution 
    Gary Gay, Director

    Mailing Address: P. O. Box 659, Butner, NC 27509
    Physical Address: 1051 Food Distribution Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522
    Phone: 919-575-4490

    Fax: 919-575-4143

    Human Resources

    The Human Resources Division provides support to the department's divisions in areas of personnel administration.
    Contact Human Resources 
    Sylvia Crumpler, Director

    Mailing Address: 1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh , NC 27699-1001
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3200

    Fax: 919-715-4295

    Marketing

    The mission of the Marketing Division is "to promote North Carolina's agricultural bounty to consumers across the state, country, and around the world."
    Contact Marketing 
    Joe Sanderson, Director

    Mailing Address: 1020 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1020
    Physical Address: 2 W. Edenton Street, Room 402, Raleigh NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3100

    Fax: 919-733-0999

    Meat and Poultry Inspection

    The Meat and Poultry Inspection Division enforces state meat and poultry products inspection laws, ensures that meat and poultry plants meet state inspection guidelines, and undertakes enforcement actions as appropriate.
    Contact Meat and Poultry Inspection 
    Dr. Karen Beck, Director

    Mailing Address: 1001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1001
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street , Raleigh, NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3180

    Fax: 919-715-0246

    N.C. Forest Service

    The NC Forest Service is mandated by statute "to protect, manage and develop the forest resources of the state."
    Contact State Fair 
    David Lane, State Forester

    Mailing Address: 1616 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1600
    Physical Address: Archdale building, 512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27605-1170
    Phone: 919-857-4854

    Email: david.lane@ncagr.gov

    N.C. State Fair

    The N.C. State Fair Division operates the North Carolina State Fair, which takes place annually in October. During the rest of the year, fair buildings and grounds are rented out for other events.
    Contact the N.C. State Fair 
    Kent Yelverton, Manager

    Mailing Address: 1010 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1010
    Physical Address: 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh NC 27607
    Phone: 919-821-7400

    Fax: 919-733-5079

    Plant Industry

    The mission of the Plant Industry Division is "to ensure seed and fertilizer and other soil additives offered for sale in North Carolina meet prescribed standards and are truthfully labeled, to protect the state's agriculture and natural environment from introduced plant pests, including insects, diseases, and noxious weeds, and to enhance and protect our state's endangered and threatened plants."
    Contact Plant Industry 
    Phil Wilson, Director

    Mailing Address: 1060 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1060
    Physical Address: 216 West Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27603
    Phone: 919-707-3730

    Fax: 919-733-1041

    Property and Construction

    The Property and Construction Division oversees the department's capital improvements, real property, and engineering consulting program.
    Contact Property and Construction 
    Andrew A. Meier, Director

    Mailing Address: 1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1001
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3358

    Fax: 919-807-4364

    Public Affairs

    The Public Affairs Division is the department's central point of contact for the news media and public outreach. The division is responsible for news releases, interviews, fact sheets, web pages, and other communication materials.
    Contact Public Affairs 
    Andrea Ashby, Director

    Mailing Address: 1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1001
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3001

    Fax: 919-733-5047

    Research Stations

    The mission of the Research Stations Division is "To manage crop and livestock facilities that serve as a platform for agriculture research to make farming more efficient, productive and profitable, while maintaining a sound environment and providing consumers with safe and affordable products."
    Contact Research Stations 
    Teresa Lambert, Director

    Mailing Address: 1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1001
    Physical Address: 2 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
    Phone: 919-733-3236
    Fax: 919-733-1754

    Email: Teresa.Herman@ncagr.gov

    Small and Minority Farms

    The Small and Minority Farm Program "provides services to small, limited-resource and minority farmers who are traditionally under served. These services are provided through outreach and education to assist this audience in making informed decisions and providing advocacy for those who do not have a voice."
    Contact Small Farms 
    Archie Hart, Director

    Mailing Address: 1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1001
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3068
    Fax: 919-716-0105

    Email: archie.hart@ncagr.gov

    Soil & Water Conservation

    The mission of the Division of Soil & Water Conservation is "[t]o foster voluntary, incentive-driven management of soil, water and related natural resources for the benefit of the environment, economy and all citizens."
    Contact Soil & Water Conservation 
    Vernon Cox, Director

    Mailing Address: 1614 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1614
    Physical Address: 216 West Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27603

    Phone: 919-707-3770

    Standards

    The Standards Division "is a regulatory agency responsible for enforcing the North Carolina Weights and Measures Act (G.S. 81A), the Gasoline and Oil Inspection Law (G.S. 119), and the LP-Gas Inspection Law (G.S. 119 Article 5)."
    Contact Standards 
    Stephen Benjamin, Director

    Mailing Address: 1050 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1050
    Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3225

    Fax: 919-715-0524

    Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division

    The Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division regulates pest control practices, pesticide usage, and bedding sanitation products manufactured and sold in the state.
    Contact Structural Pest Control and Pesticides 
    James W. Burnette, Jr., Director

    Mailing Address: 1090 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1090
    Physical Address: 2109 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607
    Phone: 919-733-6100

    Fax: 919-733-0633

    Veterinary Division

    The Veterinary Division administers regulatory animal health programs and disease testing, surveils and eradicates animal diseases, and oversees the humane treatment of dogs and cats in animal shelters, kennels, and pet shops by enforcing the N.C. Animal Welfare Act.
    Contact Veterinary 
    Dr. R. Douglas Meckes, State Veterinarian

    Mailing Address: 1030 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1030
    Physical Address: 2 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
    Phone: 919-707-3250

    Fax: 919-733-2277

    State budget

    See also: North Carolina state budget and finances

    The budget for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Fiscal Year 2025 was $182,244,062.[5]

    Compensation

    See also: Compensation of state executive officers

    Article III, Section 9 of the North Carolina Constitution defines the method by which the agriculture commissioner's compensation is set:

    The officers whose offices are established by this Article shall at stated periods receive the compensation and allowances prescribed by law, which shall not be diminished during the time for which they have been chosen.[2]

    2023

    In 2023, the officer's salary was $146,421, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]

    2022

    In 2022, the officer's salary was $146,421, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]

    2021

    In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $136,699, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]

    2020

    In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $133,365, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]

    2019

    In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $127,561, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]

    2018

    In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $127,561, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]

    2017

    In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $127,561, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]

    2016

    In 2016, the commissioner received a salary of $125,676, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]

    2015

    In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $125,676, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]

    2014

    In 2014, the commissioner received a salary of $124,676, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]

    2013

    In 2013, the commissioner received a salary of $121,807, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]

    Historical officeholders

    Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

    Recent news

    The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

    Contact information

    Physical Address:
    2 West Edenton Street
    Raleigh, NC 27601

    Mailing Address:
    1001 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27699-1001

    See also

    North Carolina State Executive Elections News and Analysis

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    External links

    Footnotes

    1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, "The Role of the Commissioner of Agriculture," accessed Feb. 1, 2021
    2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 North Carolina State Legislature, "North Carolina State Constitution," accessed Feb. 1, 2021
    3. Justia, "NC Gen Stat § 106-10 (2019)," accessed Feb. 1, 2021
    4. North Carolina Department Of Agriculture & Consumer Services, "Home," accessed Feb. 1, 2021
    5. North Carolina General Assembly, "House Bill 259," accessed December 6, 2023
    6. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
    7. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
    8. Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
    9. Issuu, "The Book of the States," Sept. 30, 2020
    10. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
    11. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
    12. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
    13. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
    14. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
    15. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 3, 2014
    16. Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 31, 2014

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