Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has commended the appointment of five agricultural leaders to the North Carolina USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. The announcement was made in Washington, D.C., with Tillis expressing his support for the newly named members.
“North Carolina’s farmers and producers deserve leaders who understand agriculture from the ground up, and these appointees bring decades of real-world experience to the board,” said Senator Tillis. “I was proud to nominate these outstanding agricultural leaders and appreciate Secretary Rollins appointing them to help ensure USDA programs are delivered fairly and efficiently while supporting rural communities and strengthening North Carolina’s agricultural economy.”
The new appointees include Jeffrey Claybourne Lee of Benson, who will serve as chair. Lee is owner, president, and CEO of his farm where he oversees tobacco, sweet potato, and cotton production using conservation-focused methods. He previously served on the state FSA committee.
Other members are Steve Leggett Griffin of Washington, who manages a diversified crop operation and has prior experience on a county FSA committee; Joseph Brent Leggett of Nashville, who operates a row crop farm producing various crops such as tobacco and peanuts; Richard Paul Renegar of Harmony, whose family farm produces beef cattle and crops while also operating agritourism ventures; and Faylene Whitehead Whitaker of Climax, co-founder of a family enterprise that includes produce farming as well as garden centers and other businesses. Several have previous service on FSA committees at either the county or state level.
The FSA supports farmers by administering programs related to credit, loans, conservation efforts, disaster recovery, marketing initiatives, and more through its network across all states.
Senator Tillis was elected in 2020 after defeating Cal Cunningham in a closely contested race. In 2014 he won his first Senate term by narrowly defeating Kay Hagan.
