ATLANTA, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper announced today that thirteen of Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions are seeking nominations from producers to serve on their respective commissions. The Commissions seeking nominations are apple, blueberry, citrus, corn, cotton, equine, milk, peach, pecan, soybean, tobacco, vegetable, and wine & grape. Nomination forms are available on the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website and will be accepted until June 1st, 2026.
Administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, these commissions oversee farmer-funded programs dedicated to strengthening Georgia’s #1 industry through research, education, and promotion of a number of Georgia Grown commodities.
“Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions play a vital role in the continued success of our state’s number one industry and I want to encourage our producers to get involved by serving in these commissions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “Your perspective and leadership are essential to maintaining the strength and future growth of Georgia agriculture.”
Producers can nominate themselves, be nominated by others, or receive a nomination from an affiliated organization for their commodity. Their role involves attending periodic meetings and making decisions on behalf of their peers. Commission members serve a three-year term, with the possibility of reappointment. They represent the interests of the commodity’s producers. The Commodity Commission Ex Officio Committee makes appointments to the commissions in August.
Commodity Commission Members with Expiring Terms:
- Apple Commission: David Lillard (Fannin County), Janice Smith Hale (Gilmer County), and Joshua Aaron (Gilmer County)
- Blueberry Commission: Shane Wade (Ware County), Steve Mullis (Bacon County), Kevin Eason (Bacon County)
- Citrus Commission: Jaime Patrick (Tift County) and Justin Jones (Lee County)
- Corn Commission: Rodney Harrell (Lee County), Jonathan Hitchcock (Washington County), and Wallace Anderson (Gilmer County)
- Cotton Commission: Chris Hopkins (Toombs County), Greg Sikes (Bulloch County), and John Ruark (Morgan County)
- Equine Commission: Ron Smith
- Milk Commission: Mark Rodgers (McDuffie County), James Coble (Burke County), and Pete Gelber (Macon County)
- Peach Commission: Tyler Wainwright (Houston County), Phillip Rigdon (Houston County), and Lee Dickey (Crawford County)
- Pecan Commission: R.G. Lamar (Richmond County) and Greg Leger (Crisp County)
- Soybean Commission: Greg Mims (Seminole County), Tony Smith (Baker County), and Mark Ariail (Franklin County)
- Tobacco Commission: Carlos Vickers (Berrien County), Bo Corbett (Echols County), Brant Clifton (Bulloch County)
- Vegetable Commission: Glenn Heard (Decatur County) and Dick Minor (Sumter County)
- Wine and Grape Commission: Eric Seifarth (Towns County), Sam Zamarippa (Lumpkin County), and Chris Paulk (Irwin County)
Nomination forms are available on the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s dedicated commodity commission webpage or can be requested via email. Completed forms should be submitted by email or mail to:
Georgia Dept of Agriculture
ATTN: Fred Rayfield
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW.
Suite 324
Atlanta, GA 30334
For further information, please contact Fred Rayfield at 404-727-7899 or fred.rayfield@agr.georgia.gov.