Nevada governor names new state agriculture director

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada is getting a new state agriculture chief.

Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Tuesday that Jennifer Ott will take over as Department of Agriculture director, effective March 4.

Ott has been administrator of the department's Plant Industry Division for a little more than a year.

She'll replace Jerri Williams-Conrad, who has been serving as acting director of the department since March 2017.

Sisolak pointed to Ott's experience as operations director for the Desert Farming Initiative at the University of Nevada, Reno, and marketing roles for various chemical and agricultural businesses before she was hired by the state.

She began her career as a chemist and obtained a master's in business administration from UNR.

The Agriculture Department promotes fair and environmentally sustainable business and oversees food, fiber and human health and safety.