Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Commissioner
Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/ Social Media:
About:
On January 17, 2026, Charles Green became the 19th Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). This appointment was originally announced by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger on January 5.
Commissioner Green has been with VDACS since 2005, starting in the Division of Marketing and Development. He became Deputy Commissioner in 2014, and comes to the commissioner role with more than a decade of experience providing the agency with strategic leadership and overseeing day-to-day operations. Commissioner Green brings with him a strong record of operational leadership, industry collaboration, and a commitment to supporting economic growth for Virginia’s leading private industry.
As Director of Marketing and Development at VDACS, Commissioner Green successfully drove initiatives to assist Virginia agribusinesses in accessing both domestic and international markets, and as Commissioner, he is committed to growing trade and expanding market access for Virginia farmers while promoting investments in the Commonwealth’s diverse agricultural economy. His tenure as Deputy Commissioner focused on balancing economic opportunity with the agency’s vital role in responsible regulatory oversight, which he helped achieve by working collaboratively with industry trade organizations, commodity associations, and individual producers. Commissioner Green currently serves on the Operations Committee for the Southern United States Trade Association and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Advisory Council.
Commissioner Green has a longstanding commitment to agriculture and forestry. He grew up in Rockbridge County, participating in 4-H activities and gaining work experience in the Youth Conservation Corps and land management within the forest products industry. He began his career in lumber before working in international trade for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Commissioner Green’s expertise in international trade is complemented by his life experience being the son of a first-generation immigrant to the United States and spending part of his youth in Costa Rica. He received a B.S. degree in Forestry and Wildlife from Virginia Tech and a Master of Business Administration from Campbell University. His family owns a small farm in King William County, which has been in his family for several generations.
The VDACS Commissioner provides executive leadership for the agency in implementing the Governor’s initiatives in economic development, agriculture, consumer services, and international and domestic marketing. The position promotes effective and efficient utilization of agency financial and human resources. The commissioner provides executive leadership and management for the agency’s Strategic Management Team, operations and programs, and works to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in all agency programs and activities, including marketing, animal health, food safety, environmental stewardship, and consumer protection.
The Commissioner’s Office establishes the executive direction and philosophy for operation of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in order to support the programs, initiatives, and direction of the Governor’s Office and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. The Commissioner’s Office provides leadership in the planning, development, and implementation of state agricultural and consumer policy initiatives and programs. The office ensures that program services are focused on meeting customer needs and effectively carried out within the limit of budgeted resources. In addition, the office supports the agency-wide strategic planning process to ensure that all programs are working toward achievement of common goals and objectives through the Strategic Management Team.
The Commissioner’s Office is comprised of the Commissioner; Deputy Commissioner; the offices of Policy, Planning, and Research, Administrative and Financial Services, Human Resources, Internal Audit, Communications, and the State Milk Commission.
