Introduction

MeeCee Baker's name is synonymous with agricultural and rural issues in Pennsylvania. MeeCee's commitment, experience and knowledge coupled with her networking skills, make her a uniquely efficient and effective advocate.

Achievements

Dr. Baker was named an Alumni Fellow at the Penn State University and delivered the commencement address at the College of Agricultural Sciences spring graduation. She also received the prestigious Medal of Honor Award from the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture (PSPA), the oldest (1785) continuously operating agricultural society in the country. PSPA was involved in establishing the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. In addition, Baker was honored with the esteemed Jefferson Award by the Penn Ag Democrats.

Clients

1) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates

2) Clark's Feed Mills

3) CNH Industrial America LLC

4) Coral Reef Partners

5) CRLPA, LLC.

6) Dark Moon Entertainment

7) Earthcare Solutions, LLC

8) EEG, Inc.

9) Four Growers, Inc

10) Horizon Farm Credit

11) Montage Mountain Resorts, LP

12) Padagis US LLC

13) Pavement Coatings Technology Council

14) Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts

15) Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Landowners Alliance

16) Pennsylvania Pest Management Association

17) Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

18) Pennsylvania Pork Producers' Strategic Investment Program

19) Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists

20) Philadelphia School District

21) Reinford Farms

22) Scranton-Adams 326, LLC

23) Snavely's Mill

24) Star Rock Farms

25) Stonehenge Capital Company, LLC

26) Swiftly Systems, Inc.

27) Table Trust Brands

28) The Wenger Group

29) United Lutheran Seminary

30) US Biologic, Inc.

31) USA Gypsum

32) USAG Holdings LLC

33) Value Drug Company

34) Wakefield Farms

35) Werner Acres, LLC

36) Wine & Spirits Brokers of PA

37) Wine Institute

38) Wine PA

Number of Years as a Lobbyist

15-20 years

Relationships

Baker was appointed during the Rendell administration to work in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture . While there, she directed the educational outreach for the Department.

Biography

Dr. Baker owns Versant Strategies, a premier governmental affairs firm focused on agricultural, education, environmental, and rural issues. Versant has represented dozens of clients in the Harrisburg and DC marketplace ranging from small farms and businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

Previously, Baker served in the executive office of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. While there, she directed the educational outreach for the Department using the knowledge, skills, and traits she perfected during her 20 years behind a teacher’s desk at secondary and post-secondary institutions. Baker served as a faculty member at Penn State, an adjunct professor at North Carolina State University, and was the first woman elected as president of the National Association of Agricultural Educators. She is known across the nation as a published author and columnist with frequent engagements as a motivational keynote speaker and workshop presenter.

MeeCee, husband Jim Garofalo, a retired PA State Police Major who now works with USDA Investigation and Enforcement, and daughter Libby, a former state FFA president (Future Farmers' of America) and current Penn State student, live on the Baker homestead farm in Juniata County.

Last Updated: May 31, 2026