The Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture
The State Board of Agriculture consists of five members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Oklahoma
State Senate. Members shall be farmers with practical experience for at least five of the previous ten years and lived on and
operated a farm after reaching 21 years of age. The state is divided into four agricultural districts and a member is appointed
to a four year term from each of the districts. An at large position is appointed by the Governor to be the President of the
State Board of Agriculture and serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The President also serves as the Commissioner
of Agriculture.
Jim Reese, Secretary and Commissioner of AgricultureReese is an experienced legislator and businessman with extensive professional ties to the agricultural community. He served in the Oklahoma Legislature from 1987 to 2001 before serving as the State Executive Director for the Oklahoma Farm Service Agency. He has owned and operated Jim Reese Farms since May 1978. Reese graduated from Oklahoma State University before earning an associate degree in drafting and design from Northern Oklahoma College.
David Holcombe
David Holcombe was appointed to the State Board of Agriculture in April 2003. He raises cattle, poultry and swine on a
750-acre farm that has been in the family for 150 years. He received the 2001 Environmental Stewardship Award from the Oklahoma Beef
Industry Council and the 2001 Region IV Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
Don E. Britton
Don Britton, Shawnee, has served in leadership positions with the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Association of Extension
Agriculture Agents, the National Association of County Agriculture Agents, and the Oklahoma Association of Fairs & Festivals.
He served as chairman of the Agribusiness Committee and chairman of the Community Development Task Force with the Chamber of Commerce.
Joe Farris
Joe Farris, Taloga, is a life-long rancher, former vocational agriculture teacher and currently
works as Sr. Vice President and agricultural loan officer for the Bank of Western Oklahoma in Vici. He has also
served on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Shorthorn Association and the 5 State Shorthorn Association.
Rod Carver
Rod Carver is a third-generation farmer and rancher from Elk City. He raises wheat, hay and runs a
cow/calf operation in Beckham and Greer counties. He is a senior vice president and senior lender with the First National
Bank & Trust of Elk City. Rod has served on the Elk City Chamber of Commerce Board, Chairman of the Southwest Ag Expo, as
well as President of the Elk City Kiwanis. He is a previous winner of the Oklahoma Young Farmers farm business management
award. He is involved in various other community and civic organizations.