Board Members and Meetings
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is guided by a six-member citizen board appointed by the governor. Board members serve four-year terms and may be reappointed. Under Minnesota Statutes, two of the board members must be practicing veterinarians and four of the board members must be livestock producers, one of which 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
Dean Compart | Swine Producer, Nicollet
Jessica Koppien-Fox, DVM | Veterinarian, Marshall
Jim Vagts | Producer, Harmony
Alex Stade | Cattle Producer, Prior Lake
Click here to email members of the board
Video Recordings
April 12, 2023 Board Meeting
Special Meeting of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health
THIS MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY. INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED HERE WHEN IT IS RESCHEDULED.
Agenda
Start time 9:00 a.m.
Dean Compart
Call meeting to order
Board members
Review Farmed Cervidae Rules Draft
Next Meeting of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health
The next quarterly meeting of the Board of Animal Health will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2023, both in person at the Minnesota Farmer’s Union (305 Roselawn Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55117, First Floor Conference Room) and on Microsoft Teams.
Some board members may be attending this meeting remotely.
Remote Access:
- Online: Join the meeting on Microsoft Teams
- Call in (audio only): 651-395-7448
Phone Conference ID: 680 099 462#
Agenda Items*
Start time 9:30 a.m.
Erica Sawatzke
Call meeting to order
Notice of Meeting
Approval of Minutes from February 8, 2023
Approval of Agenda
Jena Wasche, Mike Frye
Office of Animal Protection Bill Overview
Michelle Medina
Legislative Update
Stephan Schaefbauer
USDA Update
Stacy Holzbauer
Minnesota Department of Health Update
Albert Rovira
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Update
Laura Molgaard
College of Veterinary Medicine Update
Lucy Hunt, Shauna Voss
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)/Poultry Update
Marc Schwabenlander, Stuart Lichtenberg
RT-QuIC Research Update
Paul Anderson
MVMA Recommendation on Heartworm Disease Testing for Imported Dogs and Cats
Veronica Bartsch
Commercial Dog and Cat Breeder Program Update
Brian Hoefs
Board of Animal Health Update
Board Members
Election of Board Leadership
Board Members
Closed Session: Appointment of Executive Director
*Agenda subject to change prior to meeting.