Washington, DC  -  Randolph County farmers Larry Bowen, Richie Traylor, and Dean Wysner have accepted an invitation to serve on a new agriculture advisory committee, Congressman Mike Rogers announced today. The three men will join twenty-four others in helping Rogers formulate pro-agriculture policies that strengthen and grow Randolph County’s farming interests as well as advise the Third District representative on specific local concerns.

“Agriculture is Alabama’s number one industry and we must do everything we can to protect and grow our farming interests,” Rogers said. “I am deeply grateful to these individuals for their service and look forward to working with them at the local level to develop real solutions for real problems.”

Randolph County committee member Dean Wysner said the panel should help farmers’ interests in Congress. “Mike Rogers is trying to stay in touch with the farmers in Randolph County,” he said. Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) President Jerry Newby echoed those sentiments and praised Rogers for creating the committee. “I think this committee will help give us another voice in Washington,” Newby commented.

Former Democratic state representative Gerald Willis will chair the committee which plans to meet late this fall after Congress recesses. All committee members are unpaid volunteers. In Congress, Rogers serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and upholds a long Third District tradition of membership on the panel.