Blunt taps Platte City woman to lead agriculture department

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A couple months after the state agriculture director left amid accusations of sexual harassment, Gov. Matt Blunt chose a 29-year-old woman Tuesday to lead the agency.

Blunt named Katie Smith of Platte City as the new director. Former director Fred Ferrell, then a 66-year-old Charleston farmer, was forced to resign in February after an employee accused him of sexual harassment and refusing to promote her because she's a woman.

Smith most recently was a deputy assistant secretary in the federal Energy Department in Washington D.C. She also has worked on agriculture issues for Republican Sens. Kit Bond and Jim Talent. Smith grew up on a Platte County farm that raised corn, soybeans, tobacco and cattle.

Blunt said he interviewed men and women for the job and found Smith was best qualified. If confirmed by the Senate, she would be the first woman ever to lead the state Agriculture Department.