Gov. Hutchinson appoints new members to State Plant Board

Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Thursday (Sept. 30) 14 new members to the Arkansas State Plant Board to fill positions left vacant under an Arkansas Supreme Court ruling earlier this year.

Earlier this year, the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 361, which increased the number of board members from 17 to 19. That change took effect July 28.

“The Plant Board is one of the most significant commissions for Arkansas agriculture, and I am confident this first-rate slate of new members will ensure Arkansas agriculture remains No. 1,” Hutchinson said in a news release.

The Arkansas Senate must approve the appointments, which all expire October 1, 2023. The new members are:

• Matthew Marsh, Cammack Village: Practical rice grower, actively and principally engaged in the production of rice.
• Mark Morgan, Clarksville: Practical horticulturist or nurseryman, actively and principally engaged in the business. Nominated by the Arkansas State Horticultural Society and the Arkansas Green Industry Association.
• David Gammill, Tyronza: Practical corn, peanut, sorghum, turf, or wheat grower, actively and principally engaged in the production of corn, peanuts, sorghum, turf, or wheat.
• Matt Miles, McGehee: Practical soybean grower, actively and principally engaged in the production of soybeans.
• Mark Hopper, Mountain Home: Representing pest control operators. Nominated by the Arkansas Pest Management Association.
• Marty Eaton, Jonesboro: Seed dealer, actively and principally engaged in the business. Nominated by the Arkansas Seed Dealers’ Association.
• Lance Schmidt, Pocahontas: Seed grower, actively and principally engaged in the business. Nominated by the Arkansas Seed Growers Association.
• Lester Scott, Little Rock: Representing pesticide manufacturers. Nominated by the Arkansas Crop Protection Association.
• Mark Hartz, Stuttgart: Representing agricultural aviators. Nominated by the Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association.
• Richard Watts, Watson: Representing the forest sector. Nominated by the Arkansas Forestry Association.
• Nathan Reed, Marianna: Farmer, actively and principally engaged in the production of corn, cotton, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, turf, or wheat.
• Travis Senter, Osceola: Farmer, actively and principally engaged in the production of corn, cotton, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, turf, or wheat.
• Reynold Meyer, Eudora: Practical livestock producer, actively and principally engaged in the production of livestock.
• Bruce Alford, Lewisville: Practical forage grower, actively and principally engaged in the production of forage.