Arizona Department of Agriculture Names Joel Price Assistant Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection Division

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Official release

Source material from Arizona Department of Agriculture. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2026

Contact: [email protected]

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) announces the selection of Joel Price as the Assistant Director of the Environmental and Consumer Protection Division (ECPD). Price brings a background in entomology, agricultural program management, regulatory compliance and public sector operations across state, federal and local government agencies.

His career has focused on science-based approaches to protecting agriculture in the environment while building partnerships with producers, researchers, regulators, and land managers. His background includes biological control, invasive species management, staff supervision, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement.

Most recently, Price served as Park Coordinator for the city of Peoria, overseeing staff, daily operations, procurement and capital projects. His responsibilities included administering an annual operating budget of approximately $1 million to $2 million. As an Arizona licensed pesticide applicator, he also oversaw pest management, staff, licensing and operating procedures, emphasizing environmental stewardship, worker safety, and regulatory compliance.

Previously, Price served as an arthropod containment scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Evaluating facilities, handling regulated, high-risk organisms, and reviewing permits, construction proposals, and operating procedures to assess safeguards and compliance.

He also served as Biological Control Entomologist for the Oregon Department of Agriculture and as a Biocontrol Specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. In Oregon, he coordinated 70 biological control agent projects, targeting noxious weeds statewide and supported grants, regulatory interpretation, and training. His Colorado work included biological control research for invasive weeds and agricultural pests.

Price holds a Master of Science in Entomology from the University of Idaho and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology - Wildlife and Fisheries from Brigham Young University-Idaho. He brings a commitment to practical science-based decision-making and partnerships that protect public environmental interest while supporting agriculture.

AZDA is excited to welcome Joel Price to its leadership team and looks forward to the experience, collaborative approach and commitment to public service that he will bring to ECPD. The department welcomes him as it continues its work to support Arizona agriculture and protect the public.

Release text attributed to Arizona Department of Agriculture. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.