The Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on agricultural, forestry and food issues.
The 4th and current Secretary of Agriculture is Blayne Arthur, who was appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt on January 14, 2019.
History
The position of Secretary of Agriculture was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the agricultural activities of the State government. The position was established, along with the Oklahoma State Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary of Agriculture to advise the Governor on agriculture policy and advise the state agricultural agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor.
Dual position
Oklahoma state law allows for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Agriculture has also served as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. As of 2011, all Agriculture Secretaries have served in that dual position.
Responsibilities
The Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for the regulation and promotion of the agricultural industry in Oklahoma. The Secretary oversees agricultural research, agricultural subsidies, prevention of plant diseases and invasive species prevention programs. The Secretary oversees the management of the forests of the State, including wildfire prevention and suppression. The office has oversight of food safety programs, consumer protection programs and rural development efforts. The Secretary also has responsibility for ensuring the conservation of the State's land and water for agricultural purposes.
As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Agriculture oversees 577 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of over $156 million.
Agencies overseen
The Secretary of Agriculture oversees the following State agencies:
| Agency | Employees | Budget (in millions) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry | 515 | $87.8 | Promotes agriculture, provides aid to farmers and ranchers, inspects food products and protects State forests |
| Conservation Commission | 62 | $68.2 | Protects and conserves the State's soil and water agricultural resources |
List of past secretaries
| # | Name | Took office | Left office | Governor served under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary Sherrer | 1991 | 1995 | David Walters |
| 2 | Dennis Howard | 1995 | 2003 | Frank Keating |
| 3 | Terry Peach | 2003 | 2011 | Brad Henry |
| 4 | Jim Reese | 2011 | 2018 | Mary Fallin |
References
