Records of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 1953-2004

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Virginia. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Records, 1953-2004. Accession 43687. State Records Collection, The Library of Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Virginia. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Records, 1953-2004. Accession 43687. State Records Collection, The Library of Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Records, are housed in 112 boxes. This collection has been processed using minimal processing standards: the original arrangement has been maintained, the container list is brief and simple, and the records have not been refoldered and fasteners have not been removed. The collection is arranged into five series. Series have been designated for: I. Commissioners's Correspondence, 1982-2004 (bulk 1995-2003); II. Commissioners's Correspondence and Subject Files, 1995-2003; III. Board Correspondence and Minutes, 1958-1998; IV. Commissioner's Speeches and Correspondence, 1968-1998; and V. Special Interest Items, 1953-2001. These records include: agendas, agreements, correspondence, memorandums, meeting notes, minutes, legislative files, budget materials, speeches, and reports.

Biographical / historical:

On 29 March 29 1877, the General Assembly passed an act creating the Department of Agriculture, Mining, and Manufacturing to compile a geological handbook, analyze soils and fertilizers, dispense information to agriculturists in the state, and distribute seeds provided by the federal government. The Board of Agriculture was established by the General Assembly on March 5, 1888, to manage the department. The name of the department was changed to the Department of Agriculture and Immigration by an act passed on 25 February 25 1908, and the agency was given the additional mission of promoting the immigration of farmers into the state. On 27 March 1914, the General Assembly made the commissioner of the department a member of the Convict Lime Grinding Board. This board, which supervised the employment of state penitentiary convicts at state lime grinding plants, was abolished by the state government reorganization act passed by the General Assembly on 18 April 1927, and its duties were transferred to the Board of Agriculture and Immigration.

A major shift in focus occurred when, in a statewide referendum held on 1 November 1966, the voters approved a proposed constitutional amendment passed by the General Assembly on March 11 that changed the name of the department to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The governor issued a proclamation of the name change on 30 November 1966, and on 4 March 1971, the General Assembly passed an act codifying the change. The name of the department was changed to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by an act passed by the General Assembly on 24 March 1978.

Past Commissioners include: S. Mason Carbaugh, 1972-1991; Clinton V. Turner, 1991-1994; and J. Carlton Courter, III, 1994-2006.

Acquisition information:
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Records, Commissioner's Office, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219, transferred 14 August 2008 and accessioned 18 August 2008.
Processing information:

This collection has been processed using minimal processing standards: the original arrangement has been maintained, the container list is brief and simple, and the records have not been refoldered and fasteners have not been removed.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • I. Commissioner's Correspondence, 1982-2004 (bulk 1995-2003)
  • II. Commissioner's Correspondence and Subject Files, 1995-2003
  • III. Board Correspondence and Minutes, 1958-1998
  • IV. Commissioner's Speeches and Correspondence, 1968-1998
  • V. Special Interest Items, 1953-2001
Physical description:
112 cu. ft.