Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration, including the appointment of Animal Ag Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith to the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The new appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will build a new Virginia economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.

“As a native Virginian and longtime resident of Arlington County, it’s truly an honor to represent Virginia’s 8th Congressional District in this capacity,” said Johnson Smith. “While this region of the Commonwealth does not have commercial farms, agriculture and food production are of great interest to the residents here. Farmers markets operate weekly in numerous neighborhoods, many residents grow their own vegetables in community gardens and issues such as backyard hens are frequently debated in local politics.”

The Virginia General Assembly authorized the formation of the first Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services on March 5, 1888. Johnson Smith will join the ten other citizen members, appointed by the Governor, and two at-large members on the Board.

“With more than 25 years of working in agriculture promotion, marketing, policy and education, I hope my passion and experience will help agriculture continue to grow in the Commonwealth.”

The Board’s primary responsibility is to promote the agricultural interests of Virginia by advising the Governor on the state of the Virginia agriculture industry and working with state and federal agencies to implement programs that will strengthen agriculture in the Commonwealth.