KSU-Geary County Agricultural Extension Agent Chuck Otte said Monday the announcement that Jackie McClaskey would become the next Secretary of Agriculture in Kansas was exciting news. 

“Jackie McClaskey is a Kansan. She knows the state. She’s got strong ties to Kansas State University, so I just think that she’s going to be an outstanding choice.”

Governor Brownback said in a release McClaskey will succeed Dale Rodman as secretary of the state’s Agriculture Department after Rodman steps down Dec. 10.

McClaskey has been with the department since January 2011 when she became an assistant secretary. She was named deputy secretary of the department in July.

Otte said McClaskey came out of K-State. “She was with the College of Agriculture. She understands Kansas. She understands agriculture. I think this is a very exciting announcement.”

McClaskey was an assistant dean of the Kansas State University College of Agriculture before joining the Agriculture Department.