Jefferson City, MO – – Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) has announced the hiring of Emily LeRoy as a Senior Policy Advisor for the organization. LeRoy comes to MOFB after seven years of service with the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), having most recently served as the agency's legislative and budget director. "We are thrilled to have Emily join our team at Missouri Farm Bureau," MOFB President Garrett Hawkins said. "Her experience as a liaison to the Governor's office and Missouri general assembly pairs wonderfully with her understanding of what faces Missouri's farmers and ranchers every day. She will be a valuable asset to our organization as we continue to advocate for our members and all Missourians." A graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia's agricultural economics and public policy program, LeRoy began her career as a staff assistant for U.S. Senator Roy Blunt before transitioning to MDA in December 2014. She spent nearly four years as MDA's legislative assistant and youth program coordinator and more than three years as the organization's legislative liaison before being promoted to her current role in August 2021. As part of her duties as MDA's legislative and budget director, LeRoy developed and advocated for legislative proposals, played a key role in the preparation of MDA's fiscal year 2023 budget request and helped carry out MDA initiatives and management of state resources. During her undergraduate career, LeRoy completed multiple internships, including stops with the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer and Representative Tom Loehner. As part of the Young Farmers & Ranchers program, LeRoy reached the "sweet sixteen" of the 2013 Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet. LeRoy begins her new duties today. She currently resides in Hermann with her husband, Derek, and children, Grace and Nora. LeRoy was raised on a cattle and row crop farm in Argyle.