2022 Commodity Division Chairs
Aquaculture
Jamie Anderson, Lonoke County
Beef
Michael Lee, Faulkner County
Michael Lee of Faulkner County currently serves as chair of the beef division. He is from Heber Springs, Arkansas and joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 2014. He graduated with a B.S. degree in addiction studies from UCA in 2008 and a graduate degree in conflict mediation at UALR in 2014. He is a 2nd generation farmer who has been involved in agriculture for over 20 years. He produces beef, rice, soybeans and pecans on 1,000 acres. He currently serves as the Faulkner County Vice President and has been a board member since 2015. He also serves on the state YF&R committee. He has been a member of Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association since 2012. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and traveling with his family. He and his wife, Lauren, have three children- Mary, Adelaide and Clark.
Cotton
Terry Pollard, Clay County
Dairy
Bill Haak, Benton County
Equine
Steve Jones, Faulkner County
Steven Jones of Faulkner County currently serves as chair of the equine division. He is from Winnfield, Louisiana and joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 1989. He graduated with a B.S. degree in animal science from Northwestern State University in 1980 and a M.S. degree in life sciences from Louisiana Tech University in 1987. He is a 3rdgeneration farmer who has been involved in the agriculture industry for over 50 years. He raises equine, cattle, swine and produces vegetables on 15 acres. He currently serves as the secretary at Cross Roads Cowboy Church and has served on the board for 8 years. He is a member of the AQHA, APHA, ARHA, ARSHA, NRCHA, serves as an ARHA Professional Horseman. He served on the ARSHA board of directors from 2014 to 2021. He currently serves on the Arkansas Forage Council, Arkansas Grazing Lands, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and the Little Rock Farmer’s Association Board of Directors. In his free time, he enjoys ranch horse competitions, trail riding, packing, hunting and fishing.
Forestry
Grant Pace, Ashley County
Joel Grant Pace of Ashley County currently serves as chair of the forestry division. He is from Monticello, Arkansas and joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 1985. He graduated with a degree from the University of Arkansas in Monticello. He is a 3rdgeneration farmer who has been involved in the agriculture industry for 60 years. He produces forestry, beef, tomatoes and vegetables. He has served on the county forestry committee for 37 years. He served as the president of the Wild Turkey Federation and is a member of the American Cancer Society and Log a Load for Kids. In his free time, he enjoys working and traveling. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have one child named Bricen and a grandchild named Rosalyn.
Specialty Crops
James Meeks, Ashley County
James Meeks of Ashley County currently serves as chair of the specialty crops division. He is from Crossett, Arkansas and joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 1986. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in Monticello. He is a 5thgeneration farmer who has been involved in the agriculture industry his whole life. He produces beef, tomatoes, peppers, watermelon and pumpkins on 450 acres. He served as the Ashley County secretary/treasurer and on the specialty crops and cattle committees. He is a former member of the FSA Board, school board and conservation district board. He is a member of the Mt. Pleasant Freewill Baptist Church. In his free time, he enjoys reading and traveling. He and his wife, Teresa, have three children- Shannon, James and Nicholas as well as three grandchildren named Xander, Zeke and Zoe.
Poultry
Chris Meador, Carroll County
Chris Meador of Carroll County currently serves as chair of the poultry division. He is from Green Forest, Arkansas and joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 2002. Chris graduated with a B.S. degree in Animal Science from College of the Ozarks. He is a 3rd generation farmer who has been involved in agriculture for over 20 years and produces broilers, beef, and swine on 508 acres. He served as Carroll County Farm Bureau Secretary for 12 years and is currently severing as the County President. He has also served on the Carroll County Conservation District for the last seven years and is a member of Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association for the last two years. In his free time, he coaches youth baseball enjoys hunting and fishing with his family. He and his wife, Alechia, have four children- Mason, Jace, Cole, and Blaze.
Rice
Jeff Rutledge, Jackson County
Jeff Rutledge of Jackson County currently serves as chair of the rice division. He is from Newport, Arkansas and joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 1995. He graduated with a B.S. degree in plant science from Arkansas State University in 1997 and a M.S. degree in agronomy from the University of Arkansas in 1999. He is a 5thgeneration farmer who has been involved in the agriculture industry for 30 years. He produces rice, soybeans and corn on 4,000 acres. He has held many positions in Jackson County- he served as secretary from 2000 to 2002, vice president from 2002 to 2004 and president from 2004 to 2006. He also served on the state YF&R committee as vice chair and chair. He is a member of the Arkansas Rice Federation, the Arkansas Rice Council, AR AgCouncil, ARRPB, Arkansas Waterways Committee, USA Rice, US Grains Council, AFBF YF&R Committee, IAC and the AgHeritage board. He is also a member of the Newport Church of Christ, the school board and the levee board. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and fishing.
Soybean
Josh Cureton, Craighead County
Swine
Steve Balloun, Yell County
Steve Balloun of Yell County currently serves as chair of the swine division. He is from Dardanelle, Arkansas and joined Arkansas Farm Bureau in 1981. He graduated with a B.S. degree in agriculture business from Arkansas Tech University in 1981. He is a 5thgeneration farmer who has been involved in the agriculture industry for over 50 years. He raises swine, cattle and produces soybeans and Bermuda hay on 450 acres. He currently serves as a board member for Yell County. He is a member of the Arkansas Pork Producers Association Board, Arkansas Agriculture Board and the Dardanelle First United Methodist Church. In his free time, he enjoys hunting and fishing. He and his wife, Kelly, have two children named Seth and Tyler.
Wheat & Feed Grains
Jacob Appleberry, Desha County