Steen appointed next ag director for Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri Department of Agriculture is getting a new director.

Gov. Matt Blunt's office says that agriculture director Katie Smith is stepping down "in anticipation of an expanding family."

She is to be replaced on July 7 by Don Steen, who is resigning as Miller County assessor to take the new job.

Steen is a Republican who served in the state House in the 1990s and has also been a local school board member. The 58-year-old Eldon resident raises turkey and cattle.

Smith was appointed agriculture director in May 2007. She replaced Fred Ferrell, whom Blunt asked to resign after an employee accused him of sexual harassment and gender discrimination.