Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to Consider New Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

On March 10, 2020, the Board of Supervisors will consider appointing Andrew Smith as the new Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures (Commissioner). Mr. Smith’s appointment would follow an extensive recruitment process, where he demonstrated that he is well qualified for the job because of his experience in pesticide regulation, pest management, crop reporting, cannabis land use permitting, and industrial hemp policy development.

“If appointed by the Board, Andrew will draw from a wealth of local knowledge and experience to promote and protect some of Sonoma County’s core economies and values, including agriculture and the environment,” lauded Chairwoman Susan Gorin.

“I am grateful to be considered for the role of Commissioner,” stated Mr. Smith. “If selected, I will dedicate my skills and experience to maintaining and building the sustainability of Sonoma County agriculture and commerce.”

Mr. Smith is a Sonoma County native and would bring experience in agricultural biology, regulation, and leadership to the role of the Commissioner. Mr. Smith is an alumni of the SRJC Ag and Natural Resources program and attended the University of British Columbia where he received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agroecology within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems. Through his 15 years of experience with Sonoma County’s department of Agriculture Weights and Measures, Mr. Smith has gained expertise in key priorities for Sonoma County, including:

• Preventing the introduction and spread of injurious insect pests, weeds, and diseases.
• Regulating the safe, effective, and judicious use of pesticides in Ag and non-ag settings.
• Managing the department’s role in the County Cannabis program for outdoor operators on agriculturally zoned lands and administering the State Cannabis licensing inspection program.
• Developing the County’s industrial hemp policies and procedures.

The Commissioner is responsible for enforcing local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to agriculture, the environment, human health and safety and the marketplace. The Commissioner has oversight for a wide variety of environmental programs, and controls critical initiatives to the health and well-being of the County’s natural resources and agriculture sector, including agriculture worker health and safety; regulation of pesticides; agricultural hazardous materials programs; pest prevention, exclusion, and eradication services; and consumer protection. As the Sealer of Weights and Measures, Mr. Smith would also be responsible for administering programs to safeguard consumers. The Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures has 36.5 full time employees and the current Fiscal Year 19-20 operating budget is approximately $6.9 million. Mr. Smith’s starting salary would be $148,769 annually.