The NMDA is led by a director who also serves on the New Mexico Governor's Cabinet.

Established in 1911 with the ratification of the New Mexico Constitution, the NMDA was originally set to be governed by the New Mexico State University's board of regents.

[1] Over the years, its scope has broadened to account for increased interest in agriculture.

In 1955, numerous agricultural services were consolidated under the department, and since 1978 the NMDA director has served concurrently in the state's Cabinet.

[2] The NMDA is organized into several divisions, each with their own subdivisions and areas of focus: This New Mexico-related article is a stub.