SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
CARSON CITY–Gov. Brian Sandoval announced this afternoon that he has named Jim Barbee as acting director of the Department of Agriculture. Barbee was the unanimous choice of the Agriculture Board at its recent meeting.
“From his experience with Future Farmers of America to developing the State Agriculture Education data collection system, I believe Mr. Barbee is well suited to lead the Department of Agriculture,” Sandoval said. “Jim’s understanding of agriculture from a basic level will be an asset to the department, and he also has ideas about how the agriculture sector will play a role in economic development and job creation.”
Barbee, currently an agriculture education consultant at the Nevada Department of Education in the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, has worked on policy issues with both the Nevada State Board of Education and the Nevada Legislature. Barbee has served on the National Future Farmers of American Board of Directors and on the Future Farmers of America Foundation Board of Trustees. He has been a teacher and will receive his certificate as a Certified Public Manager (CPM) this month.
Barbee has managed millions in grant monies and currently manages three budgets. He has a Master of Agriculture Science, Agriculture Education from Cal Poly SLO and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from CSU Chico.
Barbee will take a leave of absence from his position in the Department of Education while serving as acting director. The Agriculture Board will begin the search for a permanent director.
