Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Blunt Appoints New Ag Director

Gov. Matt Blunt has appointed a woman to head the state Department of Agriculture.

Blunt has named Katie Smith of Platte City.

Smith has worked for the 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.

She's also served as a policy adviser for Sen. Talent on Ag issues.

Smith will replace Fred Ferrell, who resigned after charges erupted that he sexually harassed a co-worker.

The Columbia Tribune Politics blog reports, if the Senate confirms her, Smith will be the first woman to ever serve as the state’s agriculture agency.

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