Some states may appoint or elect a Commissioner of Agriculture. One state states that such commissioner as "The constitutional officer known as the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries shall be the chief executive officer and shall have management and control of the Department of Agriculture and Industries. The commissioner shall be a person of good moral character of recognized executive ability and trained in the practice and science of agriculture. " The commissioner may be required to post a bond to secure the faithful discharge of his or her duties.
Some of the duties of a Commissioner of Agriculture may include attendance at a court proceeding involving a livestock violation, seizing adulterated or misbranded agricultural products, or investigating a complaint of livestock theft. Gathering and reporting of agricultural statistics may be another important function of such a commissioner.
