7 years, 2 months ago Missouri Farm Bureau
After unanimous support by the Missouri Senate, Chris Chinn of Clarence has been confirmed Missouri’s new agriculture director by the State Senate. Chinn was appointed by Governor Eric Greitens in December.
Chinn is a fifth-generation farmer raising hogs, cattle and row crops with her husband, Kevin, and his parents. The family has been very involved in leadership positions in several farm organizations, especially Farm Bureau.
“Through her involvement with Farm Bureau, Chris has developed communications skills that have made her a tremendous advocate for agriculture,” said Blake Hurst, Missouri Farm Bureau president. “She will do well leading the Department of Agriculture and building on the successes of her predecessor.” Chinn replaces Richard Fordyce of Bethany.
On the farm, Chinn manages the production and financial records of the family’s 1,500-sow farrow-to-finish hog operation. Besides independently raising hogs, the family operates a feed mill to provide feed for their livestock. Off the farm, Chinn has served on the Missouri Farm Bureau (MFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee and as chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) YF&R Committee. She has served on a number of agricultural-related advisory committees and completed both the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow and AFBF Partners in Agricultural Leadership classes.
“Chris is not only well-versed in explaining the importance of modern farming practices to consumers, she very much knows the business side of farming. The bottom line is that farmers have to be profitable to continue providing our food. Chris has always provided important input as a member of our board of directors and we are excited to continue working with her in her new role,” said Hurst.
Until her confirmation as director of agriculture, Chinn served on the MFB board of directors representing Farm Bureau members in the northeast area of the state. The organization’s bylaws give the board authority to appoint a farmer to temporarily fill the vacancy. The directors have appointed Drew Lock of La Plata to serve on the board until elections at the organization’s annual meeting this December. Lock raises cattle and row crops with his wife, Mariah, and his father. He was chairman of the MFB YF&R committee in 2014.
