U.S. Senator Katie Britt is praising the appointment of five Alabama agriculture leaders to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Committee.

The USDA announced Roy Shepherd “Shep” Morris Sr., Wallace Drury, William “Billy” D. Hixon, Michael D. Reeves, and Dr. Mykel Rae Taylor will serve on Alabama’s FSA state committee. Morris was designated as chair.

Britt said the appointees bring extensive experience across a wide range of agricultural sectors and will help ensure Alabama producers are well-served.

“I’m proud to celebrate these incredible Alabamians, who bring an unmatched depth of knowledge to serve our farmers across Alabama. Their unique backgrounds, representing a wide range of agricultural sectors, which will ensure farmers across our state are served exceptionally well,” Senator Britt said.

“I’m thankful to President Trump, Secretary Rollins, and FSA Administrator Bill Beam for appointing these tremendous Alabamians, and I look forward to seeing all they accomplish for our state.”

In its announcement, USDA said committee members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and will help ensure farm programs are delivered consistent with federal farm policy and in the best interest of agricultural producers.

Beam, FSA administrator, said the new committee members are “held in high regard” in the agriculture industry and are entrusted with ensuring programs are delivered effectively.

Per USDA, Alabama’s five new committee members:

• Roy Shepherd Morris Sr., Chair (Shorter) – Morris has been actively engaged in agriculture for over 50 years producing cotton, corn, and sesame. He also oversees president a cotton ginning operation.
• Wallace Drury, Member (Greensboro) – Drury is owner and operator of a multi-generational family farm in Hale County, Alabama, producing catfish, cattle, and hay. He manages all aspects of farm operations including financial oversight, land and water resource management, and sustainable production practices.
• William (Billy) D. Hixon, Member (Banks) – Hixon is owner and operator of a fourth-generation 1,500-acre family farm producing beef cattle, poultry, and row crops. He holds a degree in Agribusiness from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, with over three decades of experience in diversified farm management.
• Michael D. Reeves, Member (Hartselle) – Reeves is managing partner of a fourth-generation diversified fruit and vegetable operation featuring an on-farm retail market. He oversees production of peaches, strawberries, melons, tomatoes, sweet corn, pumpkins, and other seasonal crops, with direct-to-consumer sales and value-added products.
• Dr. Mykel Rae Taylor, Member (Auburn) – Taylor was raised on a cow-calf operation, has lifelong ties to production agriculture and continues to be actively involved in the agricultural community. Her research expertise includes farm management, farmland markets, and agricultural land leasing, with a focus on applied economics.

FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans.