Blayne Arthur, currently the executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, has been nominated to become the state’s next agriculture secretary.
Arthur’s nomination was recently announced by Governor-elect Kevin Stitt, who will take office in January, replacing Gov. Mary Fallin, who did not seek re-election.
“Blayne Arthur is a deeply respected leader in Oklahoma agriculture, known for her excellence in public service, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her passion mentoring youth,” said Stitt.
“As secretary of agriculture, Blayne will play a critical role in Oklahoma’s turnaround by providing sound policy counsel to advance rural Oklahoma and in listening to and building consensus among our state’s diverse community of farmers and ranchers. I look forward to working with Blayne as our administration seeks to expand commerce and make hard decisions to set Oklahoma’s next generation up for tremendous success.”
If Arthur’s nomination is confirmed by the state senate, Arthur would become the state’s first female agriculture secretary.
Arthur currently serves as the executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, a position she has held since 2016.
Prior to her time at the foundation, Arthur worked for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry for eight years and served as deputy commissioner from 2012 to 2016 under the state’s current agriculture secretary, Jim Reese.
