Gov. Matt Blunt has appointed Don Steen to lead the state’s Department of Agriculture. Mr. Steen will replace Katie Smith, who is stepping down in anticipation of an expanding family.

“Mr. Steen’s lifelong farm experience, history of public service, and active involvement in all that is Missouri agriculture will build on our successful efforts to Missouri agriculture,” Gov. Blunt said. “I appreciate Katie Smith’s service to our state and Missouri agriculture and wish her and her growing family the very best.”

Mr. Steen was born and raised in Missouri and continues working on the same farm where he grew up and where he raised his family. His family has been in the turkey business for 35 years and also raises cattle. Mr. Steen has a bachelor’s in animal science from the University of Missouri and continued his education at Ozark Christian College.

From 1990 to 1998 Mr. Steen served the people of Cole, Camden and Miller Counties in the Missouri House of Representatives. His public service experience also includes a 13-year stint on the local school board and six years serving on Mizzou’s Agriculture Alumni Board.   He has resigned from his post as Miller County Assessor to serve Missourians in this new capacity as the Director of Agriculture.

While keeping up an active and productive farm, Mr. Steen also made time to volunteer and advocate on behalf of Missouri farmers. He is an elder and active leader at Ninth Street Christian Church and serves on the Board of Trustees for Ozark Christian College in Joplin. Mr. Steen has served as an advocate for agriculture working in conjunction with the Missouri Farm Bureau. Steen, and his wife Alisa of 35 years, have four children and eight grandchildren which live in Missouri, all very near the family farm.

“I share Gov. Blunt’s longstanding commitment to Missouri agriculture and look forward to continuing the precedent he has established that recognizes the importance of the farmer’s way of life and the invaluable contributions it is making to our economy,” Mr. Steen said. “It is an honor to be selected to serve as the Director of Agriculture, and I look forward to serving Missouri in this new role.”