Missouri Department of Agriculture

Director

Website: https://agriculture.mo.gov/
Social Media:

About:

Chris Chinn, a fifth-generation Missouri farmer from Clarence, was named Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture in January 2017. Director Chinn has held leadership positions in agriculture on the local, state and national level for more than 18 years, working to move the state’s agriculture industry forward.

As a trailblazer in ag advocacy, Chinn has established her brand through social media and public speaking. Her blog and Twitter audiences have attracted more than 10,000 faithful followers who have tuned in to hear her farm story. Through her outreach, she stands up for both rural and urban Missouri by bridging the gap between farmers and consumers and contributes to the advancement of the state’s top economic driver.

As the Director of Agriculture, Chinn works to promote, protect and defend Missouri farmers and ranchers. Two of her priorities are ensuring that every farm and ranch has access to quality, affordable internet and helping create opportunities for the next generation of producers to return to rural Missouri and family farms.

Director Chinn also works with Governor Kehoe on the Show-Me-State Food, Beverage and Forest Products Task Force to grow the state’s economy while helping the agriculture industry through investments in food and forest product manufacturing.

Chinn is a member of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), which represents the departments of agriculture in all 50 states. She is a member of the Missouri State Fair Commission, Missouri Wine & Grape Board, Missouri Development Finance Board, Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow Board and the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority Board of Directors.

In 2007, she served as chairman for the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and served on the board of directors for the American Farm Bureau Federation. In 2013, Chinn became a national spokesperson when she was named one of four Faces of Farming and Ranching by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, an honor that identifies farmers and ranchers who are eager to share their farm story. She has served as a board member for the Shelby County University of Missouri Extension Council and the Long Branch Area YMCA. Chris is a member of the Missouri Pork Association and served on the association’s state board. She is a member of ALOT (Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow) Class 13, American Farm Bureau PAL (Partners in Agricultural Leadership) Class 5 and is a member of the Shelbina Christian Church.

Chinn resides on her family’s farm in Shelby County, with her husband, Kevin, where she helps manage their 1,600 sow farrow-to-finish hog operation, as well as their family feed mill. Chinn and her husband also have a small cow-calf herd, as well as raise corn, soybeans and hay. Their two children, Rachelle and Conner, along with their spouses, are both involved in production agriculture. The newest adventure for the Chinns is serving as proud grandparents to three granddaughters.