Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Appoints Agriculture Champion to Lead Agency
Katie Smith Named Agriculture Director
JEFFERSON CITY– Citing her successful record as a champion of Missouri agriculture, Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed Katie Smith of Platte City as the Director of the Department of Agriculture. Mrs. 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."
Mrs. Smith has worked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (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 Agriculture 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. She has also worked on agriculture issues for Senator Kit Bond and Congressman Sam Graves.
"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 newly appointed Director of Agriculture Katie 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."
Mrs. Smith grew up on a family farm in Platte County where she was engaged in the production of corn, soybean, cattle and tobacco. Mrs. Smith holds her bachelor's in agriculture journalism from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri - Columbia.
The governor is a strong supporter of Missouri farmers and Missouri's agriculture industry. He has championed the use of renewable fuels and propelled Missouri to be among the first in the nation to enact a renewable fuel standard. The governor's success to secure a 10 percent ethanol standard will support Missouri farm families and agriculture, lessen Missouri's dependence on foreign oil and reduce harmful automobile emissions.
Blunt was the first governor to recommend and secure full funding for both the Ethanol and Biodiesel Producer Incentive Funds. He has also worked to secure all back payments due to farmers from the ethanol producer fund in prior years.
The governor stepped in to protect Missouri farmers' and property owners' rights and pass critical eminent domain reforms. The legislation Blunt signed ensures government may not take private property for the use and profit of private entities for the sole purpose of increasing revenue.
Blunt has worked to highlight the value of Missouri-made beef to ensure Missouri farmers are compensated for the high quality of their beef. Under Blunt's leadership, Missouri was the first state in the nation to be certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a beef quality assurance program.
Mrs. Smith is the first woman ever to serve as the Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The department was established in 1933.
Mrs. Smith and her husband Christopher live in Missouri with their daughter, Mary Agnes.