Blunt Names Female Ag Director

Following the resignation of Missouri Department of Agriculture director Fred Ferrell, Governor Matt Blunt has nominated Platte City resident Katie Smith to become the next director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Ferrell resigned this past winter following sexual harassment allegations brought by former MDA employee Heather Elder. However, Gov. Blunt has denied that events surrounding Ferrell’s resignation have anything to do with his selection of a female candidate.

If the nomination is confirmed, Smith would become the first female director of the state’s Department of Agriculture.