Ms McIlveen's new department is an amalgamation of the former agriculture and environment ministries.
One challenge will be to balance the executive's push for significant growth of the agri-food industry without compromising environmental protections.
The DUP was the only party to launch a specific agriculture mini-manifesto ahead of the assembly elections.
It was titled "A Friend of the Farmer and Natural Heritage".
Despite holding a ministry in the last executive, Ms McIveen is not a regular in the media.
Her low-key approach may, in part, be reflected in a line attributed to Margaret Thatcher which she retweeted recently.
In it Mrs Thatcher is quoted as saying: "If you want anything said, ask a man, if you want anything done, ask a woman".
First minister Arlene Foster suggested an advisory role for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to help farmers protect the environment, as well as its enforcement role.
The first minister has said in the past that while farmers acknowledge the need for regulation she felt there was "over regulation".
On the environment, Ms McIlveen will have to consider whether Northern Ireland is set to introduce its own climate change legislation.
Conservationists and her SDLP predecessor Mark H Durkan, have also called for the debate around an independent Environmental Protection Agency to be re-opened.

The Dutchman took over at Stamford Bridge in December after the dismissal of Jose Mourinho.
And Mikel told BBC's Match of the Day that the mood at Chelsea is now better.
"It's the way he communicates with the players and maybe that's what the players felt they didn't get from the previous manager," he said.
"Sometimes players - not just because they're not playing - you need to communicate with them. You need to speak to them and don't just ignore them because players like to be communicated to.
"This is what [Hiddink] has brought into the football club. In some ways you barely know he is in there, he is that calm and relaxed."
Hiddink, who led Chelsea to FA Cup triumph in 2009, took over with the Blues 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone. They are currently 13th, nine points off the final Champions League place.
The Nigerian was linked with a move away from the club last summer but Mourinho reportedly refused to sanction his departure. However, he has become a regular under Hiddink.
The new Minister for Agriculture and Environment, Michelle McIveen, faces many challenges.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi says communication has improved within the team since the arrival of interim manager Guus Hiddink.