Board Members and Meetings
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is guided by a seven-member citizen board appointed by the governor. Board members serve four-year terms and may be reappointed. Under Minnesota Statutes, three of the board members must be practicing veterinarians, one of whom specializes in companion animals, and four of the board members must be livestock producers, one of whom must be from a federally recognized tribe.
The board members elect a president and vice-president and also annually appoint a veterinarian to serve as the state veterinarian and executive director of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. The board meets quarterly. Board meeting notices are posted on the Board’s website and meetings are open to the public.
Board Members
Erica Sawatzke | Board President, Poultry Producer, Kensington
Peggy Anne Hawkins, DVM | Board Vice President, Veterinarian, Northfield
Jessica Koppien-Fox, DVM | Veterinarian, Marshall
Alex Stade | Cattle Producer, Prior Lake
Steve Neil | Livestock Producer, Northfield
Brandon Schafer | Livestock Producer, Goodhue
Abigail Maynard, DVM | Veterinarian Specializing in Companion Animals, St. Paul Park
Click here to email members of the board
Video Recordings
April 3, 2024 Board Meeting
Special Meetings of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health
No special meetings currently scheduled.
Next Meeting of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health
The next quarterly meeting of the Board of Animal Health will be held Tuesday, September 17, at a location to be determined, and on Microsoft Teams.
Some board members may be attending this meeting remotely.
Agenda Items*
Start time 9:30 a.m.
Erica Sawatzke
Call meeting to order
Notice of Meeting
Approval of Minutes from April 3, 2024
Approval of Agenda
Brian Hoefs
Board of Animal Health Update
Michelle Medina
Legislative Update
Stephan Schaefbauer
USDA Update
Stacy Holzbauer
Minnesota Department of Health Update
Hemant Naikare
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Update
Laura Molgaard
College of Veterinary Medicine Update
Melissa Smith
Budget Update
*Agenda subject to change prior to meeting.