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:

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.