Wisconsin. Department of Agriculture and Markets

The Department of Agriculture and Markets was created by Chapter 479, Laws of 1929, through the consolidation of four previously independent departments: the Department of Agriculture (WIHV85-A353), the Department of Markets, the Dairy and Food Commission, and the Treasury Agent. In addition, the department succeeded to the powers of the quasi-independent State Humane Agent, the Live Stock Sanitary Board (WIHV85-A1934), and the State Fair Advisory Board (WIHV85-A1886). At the beginning of 1938 the three-person commission that administered the department was replaced by a seven-person, part-time policy board and a director. Early in 1939 the Department was again reorganized and renamed Department of Agriculture (WIHV85-A353). In Wisconsin State Archives' database entries, the above form of name is used for records dating 1929-1939.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets was responsible for developing and extending markets for agricultural products; controling and eradicating of plant and animal diseases; and supervising and regulating the dairy industry. In addition, the department enforced an unfair trade practices law; pure food laws; the weights and measures laws; the peddlers' license law; and the fraudulent advertising law.

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