At the 2023 AgHERculture conference hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Intern Maci Carter had the chance to speak with the Chief of Staff for the Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor, Kirby Smith. Carter and Smith talk about her background in agriculture and what fueled her passion for her career today.
The event, Smith said, was aimed at bringing young college women from across Oklahoma to the Capitol to network and find opportunities for mentorship.
“I am a rural western Oklahoma Beckham County girl,” Smith said. “Fourth generation. I love being known as an ‘ag girl.’ In my professional daily life, it is not ag on the surface, but that is what I am known as, and that is the very foundation of who I am.”
FFA was a large part of Smith’s background, as she talked about how her involvement with the organization helped shape who she is today. Smith said FFA was the first thing to push her out of her comfort zone and made a lasting impact.
“My FFA jacket today hangs in my office at the state Capitol because it had such a profound impact and put me on the path that I believe I am walking to this day,” Smith said. “It gave me the skillset and helped me understand that being a good communicator, being a good networker, and understanding how the world around you works is always a good thing.”
Smith said she would not be sitting where she is today if she had not been an FFA member. Because her job working for Matt Pinnell is not per se an ‘ag job,’ Smith talked about how her background still makes an impact.
“When I got the call to come work for the Lieutenant Governor, it was not something that I was expecting,” Smith said. “I was so flattered, but really, it was born out of just being someone who really worked hard in the area that I cared about, which was rural Oklahoma. It led me to where I am now because I am working for a statewide elected official who knew that was an area he wanted to emphasize and be about, and to use his time in his office to do what he could do to help all 77 counties thrive. That is important to me.”
While Smith said each person might not get to work in agriculture every day, agriculture is still part of everyone’s every day.
“I like being someone in the room who has that point of view, and I can be prepared to speak on it and advocate about what that looks like when you are in conversations that might not normally have that perspective brought to life,” Smith said.
