The Oregon Department of Agriculture was created in 1931 to provide leadership, service, and regulatory functions for food production and processing. The director of the department is appointed by the governor. A ten-member State Board of Agriculture, also appointed by the governor, serves as advisory to the director. The department is divided into nine divisions that oversee 36 chapters of Oregon laws.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Agriculture is 1) to ensure food safety and provide consumer protection; 2) to protect the natural resource base for present and future generations of farmers and ranchers, and 3) to promote economic development and expand market opportunities for Oregon agricultural products.