Smith Named Missouri Agriculture Director

News Date May 07, 2007

Citing her successful record as a champion of Missouri agriculture, Gov. Matt Blunt has appointed Katie Smith the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Smith grew up on a family farm in Platte County and has spent her career working to further Missouri agriculture interests and values at the nation's Capitol. 

"Katie Smith was raised in the heart of Missouri agriculture and has spent her career working to promote our state's rich agriculture heritage," Blunt said. "Missourians can be pleased with the fact that Mrs. Smith has agreed to take on this important challenge and lead our state's agriculture department. Her experience in Missouri fields, our nation's legislative chambers and the executive branch of government will provide tremendous knowledge, insight and perspective to benefit Missouri agriculture and farm families." 

Smith has worked in USDA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and served for federal elected officials in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Most recently she served as deputy assistant secretary in the Department of Energy's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. At USDA, she served as special assistant to USDA Undersecretary Bill Hawks where she represented the department during the 2002 Farm Bill conference negotiations and served as the agriculture representative for the transition of agriculture border inspectors to the Department of Homeland Security. 

She served for four years as the chief policy advisor on agriculture issues for Senator Jim Talent (R-Mo.). She has also worked on agriculture issues for Senator Kit Bond (R-Mo.) and Congressman Sam Graves (R-Mo.). 

"Agriculture is the cornerstone of our state's economy, and I look forward to the opportunity to build on the successes in Missouri agriculture under Gov. Blunt's leadership," said Smith. "I look forward to advancing your initiatives for one of the state's largest economic engines by continuing to promote the production and use of ethanol and biodiesel, building on the branded beef initiative and increasing the number of dairies in the state." 

Smith grew up on a family farm in Platte County where she was engaged in the production of corn, soybean, cattle, and tobacco. Smith holds her bachelor's in agriculture journalism from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri-Columbia. 

Smith is the first woman ever to serve as the Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The department was established in 1933. 

Smith and her husband, Christopher, live in Missouri with their daughter, Mary Agnes. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)