Indiana Lt. Governor and Secretary of Agriculture Sue Ellspermann will announce a new Director for the State Department of Agriculture on Wednesday. The announcement will be made at the AgriInstitute’s Leadership Luncheon in Indianapolis. The new director will replace Gina Sheets, who was appointed to her position in February. Unidentified sources have told HAT that the new director is currently working in the ag industry and that, “He is well-known and respected by the ag community.” There is speculation that the individual is someone who has been a part of the AgriInstitue’s ALP program since the announcement is being made at their event. The luncheon, which brings together some of Indiana’s top ag leaders, will provide a perfect backdrop for the announcement.
No immediate reason has been given for Sheet’s short tenure at ISDA or what her future plans are. Sheets had been director of the economic development program at ISDA prior to being elevated to Director. Rumors are that her successor had originally turned down the ISDA position when it was offered late last year by the Pence administration. Sheets assumed the reins of ISDA with a focus on economic development. It remains unclear if the new Director represents a change in the focus of ISDA by the Pence administration.
Hoosier Ag Today will provide coverage of the announcement on line and on the 50 HAT radio stations that cover the state.