(a) The Arkansas Agriculture Board is created to consist of twenty-one (21) voting members and eight (8) nonvoting ex officio members, as follows:
(1) Ten (10) members, appointed by their respective boards, who sit on one (1) of the following boards or commissions:
(A) Two (2) members, at least one (1) of whom shall be actively engaged in farming, from the State Plant Board;
(B) Two (2) members, at least one (1) of whom shall be actively engaged in farming, from the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission;
(C) Two (2) members from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission;
(D) Two (2) members from the Arkansas Forestry Commission;
(E) One (1) member actively engaged in farming from the Arkansas Rural Development Commission; and
(F) One (1) member from the Arkansas Young and Beginning Farmer Advisory Board chosen by the Arkansas Young and Beginning Farmer Advisory Board;
(2) Eleven (11) members, appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate as follows:
(A) Three (3) members who are actively engaged in growing rice, cotton, or small grains, including, but not limited to, corn, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat;
(B) Three (3) members who are actively involved in at least one (1) of the following areas of the agricultural industry:
(i) Plant food, agricultural chemicals, or seed merchandising;
(ii) Meat processing;
(iii) Grain processing;
(iv) Domestic food products, processing, and global marketing;
(v) Aquaculture; and
(vi) The Arkansas Livestock Marketing Association; and
(C) Five (5) members as follows:
(i) One (1) member who is actively engaged in producing beef;
(ii) One (1) member who is actively engaged in producing swine;
(iii) One (1) member who is actively engaged in dairy farming;
(iv) One (1) member who is actively engaged in producing poultry; and
(v) One (1) member who is actively engaged in producing wine, grapes, fruits, or vegetables; and
(3) Eight (8) nonvoting ex officio members, as follows:
(A) The Vice President for Agriculture of the University of Arkansas System;
(B) The Dean of Agriculture and Technology of Arkansas State University;
(C) The Dean of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff;
(D) A representative of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences who is actively involved in nutrition teaching or research, or both;
(E) A representative of the University of Arkansas at Monticello;
(F) The President of the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts;
(G) A representative of Southern Arkansas University; and
(H) A representative of Arkansas Tech University.
(b) The Arkansas Agriculture Board shall advise the Secretary of the Arkansas Agriculture Department on all matters concerning agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, and kindred industries.
(c) The Arkansas Agriculture Board shall meet at least quarterly and shall fix a regular date for the quarterly meeting.
(d) (1) The members of the Arkansas Agriculture Board appointed by the Governor shall serve staggered terms of four (4) years, to be determined at the first meeting of the board by lot in a manner to result, as far as possible, in an equal number of terms expiring each year.
(2) The members appointed by the Governor shall serve no more than two (2) terms.
(e) (1) Vacancies due to death, resignation, refusal to serve, or other causes among members of the Arkansas Agriculture Board appointed by the Governor shall be filled by appointment by the Governor of a qualified person to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
(2) A person so appointed is eligible for appointment to a subsequent full term on the Arkansas Agriculture Board.
(g) (1) State agency members of the Arkansas Agriculture Board shall receive no additional salary or compensation for their services as members of the board, but they may receive expense reimbursement in accordance with § 25-16-902, to the extent funds are available.
(2) The members appointed by the Governor may receive expense reimbursement from funds made available for that purpose in accordance with § 25-16-902, to the extent funds are available.
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