Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Leonard Blackham, named Clair A. Allen the department’s new director of Plant Industry. Clair had been a program manager within the division for the past 12 years. He accepts the new position following the retirement of Dick Wilson, who has been the division director since 1990.

“Clair is the right person to carry on the excellent work that is being done by Plant Industry,” said Commissioner Blackham. “Clair brings with him the background and expertise to move the division forward.

“I am honored to have been selected for this position,” said Clair. “I am anxious to serve the public and keep the department attuned to important national issues,” he added. Clair said he plans to tap the experience of his managers to help review ongoing programs and respond to future challenges.

Clair has supervised several programs for the department prior to his selection including; fertilizer, fresh fruit and vegetable, pesticide registration, State nursery, USDA Recordkeeping and the pesticide disposal.

Clair has been with the department for 12 years, coming from production agriculture, where he and his wife and family owned and operated a small dairy in Cache Valley. Prior to coming to the UDAF, Clair worked in the pesticide and groundwater program for the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

Clair and Judy have nine children and 23 grandchildren and live in Sandy Utah. Clair is a native of Tremonton and was born and raised on the family farm that his parents homesteaded back in 1928.

Posted March 25, 2005