THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Was established in 1877, is responsible for over 60 laws and more than 70 regulations relating to consumer protection and the promotion of agriculture.
The Department is located within the Governor's Secretariat of Agriculture and Forestry and has both economic development and regulatory responsibilities under state law.
The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services is appointed by the Governor and serves on a number of state boards and councils.
VDACS is organized into four units - the Commissioner's Office, Division of Animal and Food Industry Services (AFIS), Division of Consumer Protection, and Division of Marketing.
The agency employs about 500 employees who work in and out of the Department's several field offices; in the agency's five regional diagnostic animal health laboratories located in Warrenton, Lynchburg, Ivor, Harrisonburg, and Wytheville; at an international office in Hong Kong and at the VDACS headquarters in Richmond. The Agency utilizes representatives in Asia, Europe, India and Latin America to promote Virginia agricultural products in these important export markets.
In carrying out its responsibility for representing the concerns and interests of agriculture, VDACS works in cooperation with Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service on research, education, and marketing projects.
VDACS Central Office
Communications
804.786.7686, Hearing Impaired: 800.828.1140 or 711
102 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Directions to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Pesticide applicators, please call 804.786.3798
For the food inspection office or anyone wanting to start a home-based food business, please call 804.786.3520