Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

For assistance, call 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) or visit https://www.fdacs.gov/

What is the purpose of the department?

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of foods. Among other programs and activities, the department
  • protects Florida's livestock, honey bees, and crop plants from pests and diseases;
  • manages over a million acres of state forest land for multiple uses, including timber, wildlife habitat, and recreation;
  • acts as the state's clearinghouse for consumer concerns, whose call center analysts answer questions, provide information, and help resolve complaints; and
  • tests for toxins, allergens, chemical contaminants, pesticide residues, food additives, and fraudulent formulations in food samples.

What activities are performed by the department?

What are the department's goals and priorities?

Goals

  • Strengthen Florida agriculture to meet the needs of the world’s growing population
  • Safeguard the well-being of Florida residents and visitors
  • Manage natural resources to support Florida’s quality of life
  • Prevent and respond to pests, disease and disaster
  • Exceed expectations in service

Priorities

  • Increase the availability of wholesome food
  • Encourage responsible use of natural resources
  • Protect consumers 

How is the department organized?

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services accomplishes its mission through six programs.

Agricultural Economic Development (Strengthen Florida agriculture to meet the needs of the world's growing population)

  • Agricultural Products Marketing
  • Animal Pest and Disease Control
  • Aquaculture 
  • Food, Nutrition and Wellness
  • Fruits and Vegetables Inspection and Enforcement
  • Plant Pest and Disease Control

Agriculture Management Information Center

  • Office of Agriculture Technology Services

Consumer Protection (Safeguard the well-being of Florida residents and visitors)

  • Agricultural Environmental Services
  • Consumer Protection

Food Safety and Quality (Safeguard the well-being of Florida residents and visitors)

  • Food Safety Inspection and Enforcement

Forest and Resource Protection (Manage natural resources to support Florida's quality of life)

  • Florida Forest Service

Office of the Commissioner and Administration

  • Agricultural Law Enforcement
  • Agricultural Water Policy Coordination
  • Division of Licensing
  • Executive Direction and Support Services
  • Office of Energy

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2024-25
Title Fund Dollars Positions
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF, AND COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
PROGRAM: AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS MARKETING
44,294,625
99.00
ANIMAL PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL
16,342,504
125.00
AQUACULTURE
10,149,602
46.00
FOOD, NUTRITION AND WELLNESS
2,240,129,855
106.00
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
43,804,300
112.00
PLANT PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL
55,475,224
397.00
PROGRAM: AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CENTER
OFFICE OF AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
26,868,901
48.00
PROGRAM: CONSUMER PROTECTION
AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
27,704,389
197.00
CONSUMER PROTECTION
27,135,878
306.00
PROGRAM: FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY
FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
28,407,424
276.00
PROGRAM: FOREST AND RESOURCE PROTECTION
FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE
293,400,478
1,139.00
PROGRAM: OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER AND ADMINISTRATION
AGRICULTURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
34,558,052
277.00
AGRICULTURAL WATER POLICY COORDINATION
53,351,351
72.00
DIVISION OF LICENSING
41,960,115
302.00
EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES
125,168,380
194.25
OFFICE OF ENERGY
4,028,552
14.00
TOTAL
3,072,779,630
3,710.25

Unique Question

Additional Resources

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
2022 State Agriculture Overview Florida, U.S. Department of Agriculture
2021 Florida Agricultural Facts, U.S. Department of Agriculture
2020 Florida Agriculture by the Numbers, FDACS
A complete list of Auditor General reports is available on its website
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Office of Inspector General reports are available on its website

Websites of Interest
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Federal Trade Commission
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services A to Z Resource Guide

Performance Information

Applicable Statutes

Chapter 570 and s. 20.14, Florida Statutes

Department Contact Information

Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352)
Website