INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — On Friday, Dec. 5, Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman announced the selection of Anne Hazlett to serve as the director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. In this role, Hazlett will lead the state’s efforts to promote and strengthen Indiana’s agricultural industry.

“I have worked with many people in the agricultural industry over the years, and no one is more passionate about agriculture than Anne,” said Skillman. “Anne will bring with her a wealth of experience that will provide a strong direction to the Department of Agriculture. Governor (Mitch) Daniels and I look forward to working with her to guarantee that Indiana’s agricultural industry continues to be a key part in the state’s economic revitalization.”

For the past two years, Hazlett has worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) as minority counsel for the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. In this capacity, she played a key role in the passage of the 2008 farm bill.

Prior to this position, she served as Chief of Staff for Lt. Gov. Skillman where she served as chief policy advisor and liaison to the Lt. Governor’s agencies, including the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Hazlett has also worked for the U.S. House Agriculture Committee during the passage of the 2002 farm bill, as well as for both the California and Indiana Farm Bureaus.

”Anne is without a doubt one of the most talented members of my agriculture team and we are going to miss her and her expertise immensely,” said Chambliss, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  “I am particularly grateful for her dedication and hard work during the 2008 farm bill reauthorization process.  The people of Indiana are fortunate to have Anne’s leadership at the Department of Agriculture.”

Hazlett is a graduate from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s in agricultural communications. She received her J.D. from Indiana University School of Law. Hazlett also has a masters degree in agricultural law. Hazlett is a graduate of the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Institute.

Hazlett succeeds Andy Miller, who left the Department of Agriculture this summer to lead the state’s Office of Disaster Recovery.