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About the Commission

The commission strives to meet once in the summer/fall and once in the winter/spring. Meetings are open to the public and interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

The commission:

• Identifies critical needs, challenges and opportunities in Tennessee agriculture and agricultural communities and identifies how to best strengthen the industry for growth and profitability
• Identifies industry workforce and resource needs
• Receives periodic updates on the breadth and range of research and education programs, especially impacts and outcomes related to agriculture and natural resources, rural communities and the environment
• Serves as a voice on key issues facing the agricultural community
• Serves as an advocate in working with government, business and industry organizations and other state and national organizations to advance the state’s agricultural industry and communities

Commission members:

• Attend and actively participate in two commission meetings per year
• Represent agriculture interests in the state, bringing issues to the commission and sharing needs and impacts
• Identify potential needs, as well as opportunities, for the advancement of Tennessee’s agriculture industry, especially in distressed rural communities
• Advocate industry needs and opportunities with elected officials and other state and federal government decision-makers

Commission Membership

The membership of the commission consists of the following:

• Randy Boyd, President of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System
• Keith Carver, Senior Vice President/Senior Vice Chancellor of the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Institute of Agriculture
• Donde Plowman, Chancellor of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Knoxville
• Yancy Freeman, Chancellor of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Martin
• Eric Mayberry, President of the Tennessee Farm Bureau
• Andy Holt, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture
• Rep. Chris Todd, Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Tennessee House of Representatives
• Sen. Shane Reeves, Chair of the Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Tennessee Senate

• Leaders from four rotating agricultural associations and organizations:
  • Stefan Maupin, Executive Director, Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council
  • Valerie Bass, Executive Director, Tennessee Beef Industry Council
  • Phyllis Ferguson, President, Tennessee Pork Producers
  • Carol Reed, TN Corn

• Chairs of the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Institute of Agriculture’s three Regional Advisory Councils:
  • Dr. Bob Coley, Chair, Eastern Region Advisory Council
  • Joe Huffine, Chair, Middle Region Advisory Council
  • John Charles Wilson, Chair, Western Region Advisory Council

• One at-large appointment:
  • Candace Dinwiddie, Executive Director, Tennessee Forestry Association

Association/organization representatives will serve staggered three-year terms, with initial terms being two and three years in duration. For all subsequent appointments, members will be appointed to serve three-year terms.

The commission’s at-large member will serve a one-year term.