The Trump administration has named former Clackamas County Commission Chair Tootie Smith as the new director of the Oregon Farm Service Agency.

Under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Farm Service Agency connects Oregon farmers with federal loans and financial assistance.

Smith’s appointment was announced Thursday with a slate of other new FSA state directors.

“These newly appointed USDA state directors will play a critical role in advancing President Trump’s America First agenda in the states and ensuring that our farmers and ranchers are prioritized,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in a press release.

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Smith, a Republican with a family history of farming in Oregon, served as chair of the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners from 2020 to 2024, when she lost her reelection bid to current chair and former Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts, a Democrat.

She also served on the commission from 2013-2017 and in the state Legislature from 2001-2005.

Smith made national headlines in 2020 when she publicly promised to host as many friends and family as possible for Thanksgiving in defiance of COVID-19 lockdown orders from then-Gov. Kate Brown.

In an interview on Fox News at the time, Smith suggested the governor was treating Oregonians as “second-rate slaves” through the restrictions.

In her new role, Smith replaces former Biden-appointee and fellow Clackamas County resident Gail Greenman.

Smith could not be reached for comment.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/22/tootie-smith-director-oregon-farm-service-agency/