Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
| Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $209,189 |
| 2026 FY Budget: | $152,575,537 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the Governor |
| Authority: | Virginia Code, Title 2.2, Chapter 2.2-203.3 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder | |
Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
Matt Lohr | |
| Other Virginia Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry is a cabinet-level state executive position in the Virginia state government. The secretary is appointed by the governor. The secretary oversees the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Forestry, Virginia Agricultural Council, and the Virginia Marine Products Board.
Current officeholder
The current Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry is Matt Lohr (nonpartisan). Lohr assumed office in 2022.
Authority
The position of secretary of agriculture and forestry is established in Title 2.2, Chapter 2.2-203.3 of the Virginia Code.[1]
Qualifications
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Appointments
The Code of Virginia authorizes the governor to appoint the secretary of agriculture and forestry. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the state General Assembly and the appointee "[holds] office at the pleasure of the Governor."[2]
Vacancies
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Duties
According to Title 2.2, Chapter 2 of the Code of Virginia, the secretary "shall be responsible to the Governor for the following agencies: Department of Forestry, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Virginia Agricultural Council. The Governor, by executive order, may assign any state executive agency to the Secretary, or reassign any agency listed in this section to another Secretary."[1]
Divisions
As of January 28, 2021, agencies within the department included:[3]
- Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Forestry
- Racing Commission
State budget
- See also: Virginia state budget and finances
The budget for the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry's Office in Fiscal Year 2026 was $152,575,537.[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $209,189, according to the Council of State Governments.[5]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $178,015, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2021
In 2021, the secretary received a salary of $176,730, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2020
In 2020, the secretary received a salary of $176,730 according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2019
In 2019, the secretary received a salary of $165,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2018
In 2018, the Council of State Governments did not report a salary for the secretary.[10]
2017
In 2017, the secretary received a salary of $165,552 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2016
In 2016, the secretary's salary was increased to $165,552 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2015
In 2015, the secretary's salary was increased to $160,394 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2014
In 2014, the secretary was paid an estimated $160,394 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2013
In 2013, the secretary was paid an estimated $120,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2011
In 2011, the secretary was paid an estimated $137,280 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 Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry 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 info
Mailing address:
Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: (804) 692-2511
See also
| Virginia | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Virginia General Assembly, "Code of Virginia Title 2.2, Chapter 2," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Code of Virginia, "Title 2.2, Chapter 4, Section 200: Appointment of governor's secretaries; general powers; severance," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Virginia Department of Agriculture and Forestry, "Agency Information," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Commonwealth of Virginia, "Budget Bill - HB30," accessed January 23, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 31, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected state administrative officials: Annual salaries by region," accessed February 1, 2012
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