*Governor Scott Walker has announced the appointment of State Senator
Sheila Harsdorf (R River Falls) to serve as secretary of the Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Senator Harsdorf will become the
first woman in the agencys 88-year history to serve as its secretary.
Sheilas experience as a highly-respected, dedicated legislator and dairy farmer make
her an excellent fit to lead DATCP, said Governor Walker. I thank Sheila for her
hard work and willingness to continue serving the public, and I look forward to
working with her to keep Wisconsin moving forward.
Sheila Harsdorf has represented the Wisconsin State Senates 10th District since 2001
and served in leadership roles including majority caucus chair, chair of the
Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, as a member of the Joint Committee
on Finance, and as a member of the Committee on Agriculture, Small Business, and
Tourism. She previously represented the 30th Assembly District in the Wisconsin
State Assembly from 1989-1998. She holds a degree in Animal Science from the
University of Minnesota.
I am honored to serve as DATCP secretary, and I thank Governor Walker for entrusting
me to lead, said Harsdorf. Im excited to work with and support our farmers,
businesses, and consumers to promote a fair marketplace and economic growth in
Wisconsins vibrant agriculture industry.
In her hometown of River Falls, Sheila remains an active member of Luther Memorial
Church. She is aformer president of the Wisconsin FFA Foundation Sponsors Board.
Harsdorfs resignation from the State Senate is effective at the end of the day,
Friday, November 10, 2017, and her effective start date at DATCP is Monday, November
13, 2017.
