It's fair to say the vast majority of the newly appointed NDP ministers have limited or no background in their appointed portfolios, at least at that level.

That's the case in the Agriculture Ministry where Oneil Carlier finds himself the man at the top.

Carlier says he's never been a farmer, but was raised on a farm.

He did however have a 20 year career with Agriculture Canada.

"A good part of that job was working in Southern Alberta developing or rehabilitating irrigation projects for the irrigation districts. That was a fascinating job. I spent quite a few years, in my younger years working on those projects in Southern Alberta. I have quite a background in Agriculture for sure."

Carlier says he'll have his work cut out for him as he's coming in just as farmers head into a season with the worst drought that's been seen in years.

Carlier says one of his priorities for the ministry is to help producers expand the market for their products.