Agriculture + Lifestyle

Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission Members named

Posted on November 30, 2024 4:19 AM

The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced producer appointments to Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions in August. The ex officio committee for these commissions, which includes Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall, Russ Moon, appointed by the Georgia Senate Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, and Al Pearson, appointed by the Georgia House Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, makes these appointments.

Georgia’s Commodity Commissions collect a per-unit assessment from producers of each commodity, as allowed in each commission’s marketing order, to support growers by funding research, education, and marketing efforts for their respective commodities.

Appointments are as follows: 

Apple Commission: Andy Futch and John Reece, both of Gilmer County, were reappointed.

Beef Commission: Kenneth Murphy of Meriwether County was reappointed as the dairy representative. Kristi Arnold of Wayne County was reappointed. Cannon Mosely of Early County was appointed as an advisory member with his term expiring in 2025.

Blueberry Commission: Jerome Crosby of Atkinson County and John Strickland of Clinch County were reappointed. Mike Bruorton of Clinch County will continue serving as a special appointee with his term ending in 2025.

Corn Commission: Lee Webster of Burke County was reappointed. Mark Hanna of Seminole County was appointed. 

Cotton Commission: Bart Davis of Colquitt County and Chad Mathis of Baker County were reappointed. 

Equine Commission: Julie Murphy of Brooks County was reappointed. Courtney Hester of Jeff Davis County was appointed to replace Robin Tardy, who was appointed as an advisory member.

Milk Commission: Aillene Schaapman of Wilcox County was reappointed. Ashley Bailey of Brooks County was appointed.

Peach Commission: Drew Echols of Hall County and Lawton Pearson of Peach County were reappointed.

Pecan Commission: Brenda Evans of Peach County was reappointed. Arren Moses of Montgomery County and Jena Ellis Wright of Dooly County were appointed. Jeff Worn, Will Easterlin and Cason Anderson were appointed as advisory members with terms expiring in 2025.

Tobacco Commission: Daniel Johnson of Pierce County was reappointed.

Vegetable Commission: Bill Brim of Tift County was reappointed. Ben Herring of Lowndes County and Courtney Hamilton Griffin of Colquitt County were appointed. Brad Calhoun will continue as an advisory member with his term ending in 2025.

Wine & Grape Commission: Gary Engel of Gilmer County and Eric Miller of White County were reappointed.