Every state has a department of agriculture, and each is tasked with a number of responsibilities, from weights and measures to tracking state ag statistics. But do you wonder what else your department does?

In Oregon, the department came up with an innovative approach to help tell that story. It's a new video series called “A Day in the Life of ODA,” and it offers vignettes showing different roles and responsibilities around the department.

The program premiered on YouTube with four videos, each introduced by Alexis Smith, Oregon Department of Agriculture director. The four online now cover a range of topics, including food safety inspectors, insect survey technicians (they exist), trade managers and the state’s Noxious Weed Control Program.

The department plans to add more videos in the coming months. While it is self-promotional, the video series also offers a good understanding of ODA’s responsibilities. For example, the food safety inspector doesn’t go to restaurants, but does inspect your favorite grocery store. The video approach, and the compact three-minute length, mean someone can learn a little something quickly and move on. You can visit the site at bit.do/DayInLifeODA.

Source: Oregon Department of Agriculture