Tillis Applauds Appointment of NC Agricultural Leaders to USDA Farm Service Agency State Committee

Jan 13 2026

Tillis Applauds Appointment of NC Agricultural Leaders to USDA Farm Service Agency State Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) applauded the appointment of five leaders in agriculture to serve on the North Carolina USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.

"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."

Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson. The individuals appointed to serve on this committee for North Carolina are:

Jeffrey Claybourne Lee, Chair (Benson) - Lee is the owner, president, and chief executive officer of his farm, where he manages tobacco, sweet potato, and cotton production. He implements conservation tillage, precision guidance, and nutrient banding practices to improve crop quality and land stewardship. Lee previously served on the North Carolina FSA state committee.

Steve Leggett Griffin, Member (Washington) - Griffin is the president and owner of his farm, where he manages a diversified crop and farming operation. He previously served on the Beaufort FSA County committee.

Joseph Brent Leggett, Member (Nashville) - Leggett is the owner and operator of his farm, where he manages a diversified row crop operation that produces tobacco, sweet potatoes, cotton, peanuts, and other crops. He's responsible for agronomic and strategic management, workforce oversight, and long-term sustainability.

Richard Paul Renegar, Member (Harmony) - Renegar operates a diversified family farm in Iredell and Yadkin Counties, producing beef cattle, tobacco, row crops, and hay. He diversified into farm equipment sales and agritourism with hunting preserves and sporting clays. He is currently president of the Iredell County Farm Bureau Board, a director of the North Carolina State Farm Bureau Board, and a voting delegate to the American Farm Bureau Federation. He previously served on the North Carolina FSA state committee.

Faylene Whitehead Whitaker, Member (Climax) - Whitaker is co-founder and operator of a diversified family enterprise that produces tobacco, corn, wheat, strawberries, vegetables, and greenhouse tomatoes. The operation expanded into agritourism, landscaping, two garden centers, a bakery, and equipment sales. She previously served on the North Carolina FSA state committee for eight years and has also served on her FSA county committee.

Background:

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. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery, and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members, including a designated chairperson.

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