North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
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
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public 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 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

• Steve Troxler  (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
• Sarah Taber  (Democratic Party) 
• Sean Haugh  (Libertarian Party)

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

This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:

• Sarah Taber ✔ 

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

• Steve Troxler (Incumbent) ✔
• Colby Hammonds 

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

Libertarian Party

This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:

• Sean Haugh ✔

2020

See also: North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner election, 2020

General election candidates

• Steve Troxler  (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
• Jenna Wadsworth  (Democratic Party)

 Democratic primary candidates

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

This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:

• Steve Troxler (Incumbent) ✔

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	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 Steve 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 Steve 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 Steve 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 Meg 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

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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
North Carolina State Executive Offices North Carolina State Legislature North Carolina Courts	2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 North Carolina elections: 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016	Party control of state government State government trifectas State of the state addresses Partisan composition of governors

External links

• North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Footnotes

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