Gene Hugoson

DIRECTOR, EX OFFICIO

Gov. Tim Pawlenty reappointed Gene Hugoson as the Minnesota Department of Agriculture commissioner in January 2007. A south-central Minnesota farmer from the East Chain area, Hugoson was first appointed commissioner in July 1995 by Gov. Arne Carlson, reappointed in 1999 by Gov. Jesse Ventura and reappointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2003. Hugoson and his wife, Patricia, operate a corn and soybean farm in Martin County. His son, Jon, and daughter-in-law Jamie also assist in farm operations.

Hugoson served five terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives, having been first elected in 1986, and served four years as Assistant Minority Leader. Hugoson served on agriculture, taxes, transportation and transit committees during his time as a legislator.

Hugoson earned a degree in social science education from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. After graduating he served in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He has also done graduate work at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Hugoson’s lifelong farming background helps him maintain a producer’s perspective on the challenges facing Minnesota’s rapidly changing agricultural industry. He recognizes the need for agencies to be accessible to citizens, and consequently has worked on an ongoing reorganization of the department to ensure the focus remains squarely on providing superior service to its stakeholders.

As Commissioner, Hugoson has worked to strengthen Minnesota’s value-added industries and international trade opportunities. Seeking to boost demand for Minnesota products in promising markets, he has participated in successful trade development missions to China, Mexico, Cuba, Japan and other nations. Hugoson frequently hosts international government and business leaders as well.

As chair of the Environmental Quality Board (EQB), Hugoson works with other state agency commissioners and citizen members. The board administers the state’s environmental review, power plant siting, transmission-line routing, water planning, and sustainable development programs.

In 2007, Hugoson became chair of the Next Gen Energy Board. This board was established by Governor Pawlenty and the Minnesota Legislature as part of the Next Generation Energy Act. The board’s role is to develop recommendations on how the state can invest its resources to achieve energy independence, agricultural and natural resources sustainability, and rural economic vitality.

Hugoson is a past president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), serving as president from 2003-04. The organization works with the federal government to develop and implement agricultural policy. During his term as NASDA president, Hugoson worked with federal officials on prominent agricultural policy issues of the day and promoted U.S. agriculture during meetings with numerous international delegations.