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OLYMPIA, Wash. – Donald “Bud” Hover, whose family runs a 2,300-acre hay and cattle ranch in Winthrop, Wash., has been selected by Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee to serve as director of the state’s Department of Agriculture.
Hover, 58, served eight years as an Okanogan County commissioner, and is chair of the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board.
He grew up in Issaquah and graduated from Washington State University in 1977 with a degree in agriculture education. While at WSU, he played linebacker under the late coach Jim Sweeney, and was drafted in the eighth round by the National Football League’s Washington Redskins, where he played two years. He was released by the Redskins early in his third season and finished that season with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League before retiring.
Hover and his wife subsequently purchased his father-in-law’s Winthrop ranch, which their son helps operate.
“Agriculture is one of Washington’s most significant cultural and economic cornerstones,” said Inslee. “Bud’s experience as a rancher and his work on issues from water to wildlife will be invaluable in further growing this vital industry.”
Inslee also praised the outgoing director of agriculture, Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside, who held the position for four years under Gov. Christine Gregoire.
Hover, who takes over the post April 1, said he wants to meet with agency staff to learn about the status of issues facing the industry.
He said his background with issues surrounding salmon recovery and protecting habitat will be helpful in his new job. The state Salmon Recovery Funding Board was created 14 years ago to provide state and federal grant funds to improve habitat for fish.