Don Steen
Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture

Don Steen was appointed Director of Agriculture for the State of Missouri by Governor Matt Blunt on June 25, 2008. As director, Steen manages the department’s divisions of Agriculture Business Development, Animal Health, Grain Inspection and Warehousing, Plant Industries and Weights and Measures and represents the state’s agriculture industry through his involvement with several boards, commissions, and national organizations.

Director Steen’s formal education includes a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Missouri–Columbia and continued education at Ozark Christian College in Joplin. Steen was born and raised in Missouri and continues working on the same farm where he grew up and raised his family. Steen and his family have been in the turkey business for over 35 years and also raise cattle.

From 1990 to 1998, Steen served the people of Cole, Camden and Miller counties in the Missouri House of Representatives. His public service experience includes a 13-year stint on the local school board and six years serving on the University of Missouri Agriculture Alumni Board. Most recently Steen served as the Miller County Assessor.

While keeping up an active and productive farm, Steen also made time to volunteer and advocate on behalf of Missouri farmers. He is an elder and active leader at Ninth Street Christian Church and serves on the Board of Trustees for Ozark Christian College in Joplin. Steen has served as an advocate for agriculture working in conjunction with the Missouri Farm Bureau. Steen has also served as a board member for the Missouri Poultry Federation and the Miller County Farm Bureau.

Steen and his wife, Alisa, of 35 years have four children and eight grandchildren which live in Missouri, all very near the family farm.