Five Agriculture Leaders Appointed to Florida FSA Committee

Five respected agriculture leaders are stepping into new roles on the Florida USDA Farm Service Agency state committee, bringing decades of hands-on experience to the table. Appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, the five-member group will help oversee farm programs, support county committee operations, and make sure producers stay informed about the resources available to them.

The new chair, Robert N. Bell of Ft. Mead, is a second-generation beekeeper known for orange blossom honey and nationwide pollination services. He is joined by Mack Glass of Marianna, a ranch manager with experience in timber, cattle, and row crops, and Kristen Hitchcock of Hillsborough County, the CFO of a major family farming operation and a longtime advocate for agricultural policy. Also serving are Roy Matt Pearce of Okeechobee, an eighth-generation rancher and conservation-minded leader, and Wayne Simmons of Labelle, who manages citrus groves along with mangoes, avocados, and timberland.

Together, the committee will help ensure FSA programs are delivered fairly and effectively, supporting farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across Florida.