Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
Encyclopedia
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 Jim Reese
, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin
in 2011.
, 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.
prevention and susppression. The office has oversight of food safety
programs, consumer protection programs and rural development efforts. The Secretary also bas responsibility for ensuring the conservartion 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.
also serves as the Department of Agriculture Commissioner, he received the salary allowed for that position. As of 2011, the annual salary of that position is set at $87,000.
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
, 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 Jim Reese
Jim Reese
Jim Reese is an American farmer, businessman and politician from Oklahoma. Reese was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin as Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and was sworn in January 10, 2011. He will be Fallin's chief advisor on policy development and implementation related to agriculture, food and...
, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
in 2011.
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 CabinetOklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
The Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986 is an Oklahoma state law that requires the Governor of Oklahoma to organize the various departments, agencies, boards, commissions and other entities of the state's executive branch into a cabinet system.The Executive Branch Reform Act was signed into law by...
. 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 always 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 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 wildfireWildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
prevention and susppression. The office has oversight of food safety
Food safety
Food safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent foodborne illness. This includes a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards....
programs, consumer protection programs and rural development efforts. The Secretary also bas responsibility for ensuring the conservartion of the State's land and water for agricultural purposes.
As of fiscal year 2011
2011 Oklahoma state budget
The Oklahoma State Budget for Fiscal Year 2011, is a spending request by Governor Brad Henry to fund government operations for July 1, 2010–June 30, 2011. Governor Henry and legislative leader approved the budget in May 2010...
, 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:| Seal | Agency | Employees | Budget (in millions) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| |Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Foresty is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture. It is responsible for providing services and expertise that promote and protect Oklahoma's food supply and natural resources while stimulating... |
515 | $87.8 | Promotes agriculture, provides aid to farmers and ranchers, inspects food products and protects State forests | |
| Conservation Commission Oklahoma Conservation Commission The Oklahoma Conservation Commission is an agency of the government of Oklahoma under the Governor of Oklahoma. It is the duty of the Commission to conserve Oklahoma's land and water... |
62 | $68.2 | Protects and conserves the State's soil and water agricultural resources |
- All numbers represented Fiscal Year 2011 levels
Salary
The annual salary of the Secretary of Agriculture is set by law at $70,000. Despite this law, if the Secretary serves as the head of State agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Since incumber Secretary Jim ReeseJim Reese
Jim Reese is an American farmer, businessman and politician from Oklahoma. Reese was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin as Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and was sworn in January 10, 2011. He will be Fallin's chief advisor on policy development and implementation related to agriculture, food and...
also serves as the Department of Agriculture Commissioner, he received the salary allowed for that position. As of 2011, the annual salary of that position is set at $87,000.
List of Secretaries
| # | Name | Took Office | Left Office | Governor Governor of Oklahoma The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma... served under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary Sherrer Gary Sherrer Gary Sherrer is an American Democratic politician from Oklahoma. Sherrer serves as Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment under Republican Governor Mary Fallin... |
1991 | 1995 | David Walters David Walters David Lee Walters was the 24th Governor of Oklahoma from 1991 to 1995.-Biography:Walters was born near Canute, Oklahoma. He graduated as valedictorian from Canute High School in 1969. He later graduated from University of Oklahoma in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering... |
| 2 | Dennis Howard Dennis Howard Dennis Howard is an American politician from Oklahoma that served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture under former Governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating. Concurrent with his service as Secretary, Howard served as the Oklahoma Commissioner of Agriculture... |
1995 | 2003 | Frank Keating Frank Keating Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999... |
| 3 | Terry Peach Terry Peach Terry Peach is an American farmer and politician from Oklahoma. Peach previously served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture under Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry from 2003 to 2011... |
2003 | 2011 | Brad Henry Brad Henry Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002... |
| 4 | Jim Reese Jim Reese Jim Reese is an American farmer, businessman and politician from Oklahoma. Reese was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin as Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and was sworn in January 10, 2011. He will be Fallin's chief advisor on policy development and implementation related to agriculture, food and... |
January 10, 2011 | Present | Mary Fallin Mary Fallin Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011.... |