The purpose of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is twofold: to encourage and promote the interest of agriculture through advocacy and education; and to fufill NDA's regulatory responsibilities as defined by statute.
It takes a team effort to effectively serve the citizens of Nebraska. NDA employees working directly in these three core focus areas are supported by shared services. This includes laboratory personnel, as well as those who provide investigative, administrative, communications, legal, technology and budgetary services.
Ag Promotion and Development
- Promoting and facilitating the sale of Nebraska agricultural goods to the state, nation and world.
- Helping the next generation of farmers get started, and working with farmers to maintain their operations.
- Teaching people about the work of farmers and ranchers, and emphasizing the important role of farming and ranching in Nebraska’s economy.
- Providing marketing and industry support to farmers and ranchers through education and information sharing.
- Grow, promote, and defend Nebraska agriculture.
Programs: Farmers Market Nutrition Programs; NextGen Beginning Farmer Program; Negotiations Farm Mediation; Nebraska Our Best to You; Proud to Buy Nebraska; Domestic and International Trade; Poultry and Egg; Potato Development; Promotional Directories; Livestock Friendly County Program; Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, RFSI
Animal and Plant Health Protection
- Monitoring the health of livestock and poultry through disease preparedness, control, and eradication.
- Enforcing import regulations so only healthy animals enter the state, which protects Nebraska’s animal population.
- Protecting animals, people and the environment by educating and licensing those who manufacture feed for livestock and apply chemicals to crops.
- Enforcing import regulations so only health nursery stock enters the state, which protects Nebraska's nursery stock.
- Enforcing regulations covering the application of pesticides including everything from home lawns to crops.
- Surveying for, and if found, helping eradicate pests and weeds that can devalue or destroy crops, nursery plants and forests.
Programs: Commercial Dog and Cat Inspection Program; Animal Import Orders; Avian Influenza Prevention; BSE Prevention; Noxious Weed Program; Commercial and Private Pesticide Applicators Licensing; Entomology including Apiary and Plant Pest Surveying; Feed and Fertilizer Licensing; Rendering; Plant Nursery Licensing; Commercial Seed Licensing; Auction Market Licensing
Food Safety and Consumer Protection
- Inspecting restaurants, grocery stores and other food establishments, as well as food processors for sanitary conditions and food safety practices.
- Checking the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices including fuel pumps and scales ranging from grocery stores to livestock and railroad scales.
- Testing milk for quality at the farm, in transit, and at the manufacturing plant, ensuring finished dairy products are fresh and safe to consume.
Programs: Food, Dairy, and Weights & Measures Licensing and Inspection
Through this work, NDA supports you in your everyday life, supports farmers, ranchers and the agriculture industry, and supports the state of Nebraska.
Sherry Vinton, Director
Sherry Vinton was appointed as the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in January 2023 by Governor Jim Pillen.
As NDA Director, Vinton oversees all programs of the agency including animal disease traceability programs, regulatory programs for plants and animals, food safety and consumer protection programs, and the promotion of Nebraska agriculture and ag products.
A lifelong Nebraskan and livestock producer, Vinton brings a wide range of experience, leadership, and knowledge to this position.
Vinton is a fifth-generation rancher on a family ranch south of Whitman in the Sandhills of Nebraska. The Vinton family runs a cow-calf operation where they raise Angus cattle that graze on native pasture, irrigated alfalfa and sub irrigated prairie hay. Vinton attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studied accounting and currently manages the business end of the family ranch.
Vinton is a leader in Nebraska agriculture who knows the importance of the industry for the future of our state. Her passion for farming, ranching, and nature makes her the perfect advocate for agriculture, someone who will stand up for farmers and ranchers, promote and grow Nebraska agriculture, increase market access for Nebraska ag products and add value to the commodities we produce.
Vinton’s experience on various agricultural organizations and advisory committees at the local, state, and federal level serves Nebraska well. She was appointed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board in 2012 and represented Congressional District 3 on the Nebraska Environmental Trust board for 14 years after her appointment in 2007. Vinton also served as treasurer and mentor for the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition and is a member of the Agriculture Builders of Nebraska.
Starting in 2019 and just prior to becoming NDA’s director, Vinton served as Vice President of Nebraska Farm Bureau. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of Nebraska Farm Bureau for 6 years.
Vinton and her husband, Chris, have three married children (two who work on the ranch, and one who farms in northeast Nebraska) and 10 grandchildren.
Jessica Shelburn
Deputy Director
jessica.shelburn@nebraska.gov
Brent Davis
Operations Director
brent.davis@nebraska.gov
Christin Kamm
Communications Director
christin.kamm@nebraska.gov