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
December 6, 2023 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 Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Hocokata Ti, 2300 Tiwahe Circle, Shakopee, MN 55379, and virtually on Microsoft Teams.
Some board members may be attending this meeting remotely.
Connect Remotely:
- Online: Join the meeting on Microsoft Teams
- Call in (audio only): 651-395-7448
Phone Conference ID: 135 811 742#
Agenda Items*
Start time 9:30 a.m.
Peggy Anne Hawkins
Call meeting to order
Notice of Meeting
Approval of Minutes from September 27, 2023
Approval of Agenda
Board Members
2024 Board Meeting Dates
Brian Hoefs
Board of Animal Health Update
Michelle Medina
Legislative Update
Stephan Schaefbauer
USDA Update
Joni Scheftel
Minnesota Department of Health Update
Laura Molgaard
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and
College of Veterinary Medicine Updates
Shauna Voss
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Update
Krista Lautenschlager
HPAI Control Areas Overview
Jason Gilsdorf
USDA HPAI in Wildlife Research Update
Veronica Bartsch
Companion Animal Update
Courtney Wheeler
Field Inspection Opportunities for Board Members
Addie Evans-Engelke and Michael Oehler
White-Tailed Deer Authority Transfer to DNR
Lucia Hunt
Incident Management Team Structure
*Agenda subject to change prior to meeting.