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, 2022 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, September 21, 2022, both in person at Riverview Dairy (26406 470th Avenue, Morris, MN 56267​) and on Microsoft Teams. 

Some board members may be attending this meeting remotely.

Agenda Items*

Start time 9:30 a.m.

Dean Compart
Call meeting to order
Notice of Meeting
Approval of Minutes from April 12, 2022
Approval of Agenda

Michelle Medina
Legislative Update

To be determined
Board of Animal Health Update

Stephan Schaefbauer
USDA Update

Laura Molgaard
College of Veterinary Medicine Update

Jerry Torrison
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Update

Joni Scheftel
Minnesota Department of Health Update

Shauna Voss
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Update

Annie Balghiti
Board of Animal Health Bylaws

*Agenda subject to change prior to meeting.