Governor-elect Kevin Stitt has nominated Blayne Arthur as the next Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, a position that will require State Senate confirmation.

“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..”

Arthur is the executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. Prior to her time at the foundation, Arthur worked for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry for 8 years and served as Deputy Commissioner from 2012 to 2016. With her husband and two young children, Arthur also runs a farm and family business, providing show cattle for young future farmers and ranchers involved in 4-H and FFA.

“Blayne is a remarkable person,” said Dr. Thomas Coon, vice president, dean and director of the Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.  “She has integrity. It is rare to find someone as credible and knowledgeable as Blayne is. That’s not just me talking. If you go around the state you will find people all around who support her. She has a desire to serve people, a desire to make things better, a desire to improve things in rural Oklahoma, and a desire to further Oklahoma’s agriculture and food industries.”

Arthur is an active member of agriculture organizations, including the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Diamond Hats, Oklahoma Beef Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Board, Oklahoma Agriculture Leadership Encounter, OSU Agriculture Dean’s Advisory Council, Ponies of the Americas, and the American Quarter Horse Association. She has received many awards and recognitions, including the 2016 Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Distinguished Service Award, the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program Class XV, the 2014 Oklahoma Agricultural Woman of the Year award, and was named as an honoree of the Journal Record 2011 Achievers Under 40.

“Oklahoma Farm Bureau is excited to support Blayne Arthur selection as the new Secretary of Agriculture,” said Rodd Moesel, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “ She is well known and already proven in agriculture circles due to her prior service as Deputy Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry and her current service as the executive director of 4-H.  She has already been very accessible, is a good listener and will be a champion for agriculture in rural Oklahoma.” 

Upon confirmation, Arthur will become the first woman in Oklahoma to serve as Secretary of Agriculture.