Pelanda to Retire as ODA Director

Dorothy Pelanda is retiring as Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Her last day will be Dec. 31, 2022.

Sworn in as the 39th Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture by Governor Mike DeWine in January of 2019, Pelanda is the first woman to serve in the position in the department’s history. Pelanda stepped into the role that was at the time held by Tim Derickson. 

Pelanda grew up on the small family farm in Union County where she lives now. She previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and she practiced law for many years, representing Union County and the surrounding area.