Green Horizons

COURTESY OF MDA

Richard Fordyce was named the new Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture in December. Previously, he was chairman of the Missouri State Soil & Water Districts Commission.

New Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Named

In December, Richard Fordyce of Bethany, Mo., was named Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture by Governor Jay Nixon. Since 2008, he has served as chairman of the Missouri State Soil & Water Districts Commission.

As Missouri's Director of Agriculture, Fordyce will oversee the Department's regulatory and business development efforts, including work to promote Missouri forestry products throughout the state and around the world.

A long-time advocate for Missouri's resources, Fordyce received the 2012 Soil Conservationist of the Year award from the Conservation Federation of Missouri. He is currently one of only three directors from Missouri on the United Soybean Board.

Prior to being named Director of Agriculture, Fordyce held leadership positions on the National Biodiesel Board, the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Missouri Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation, as well as Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow, University of Missouri Extension and the Northwest Missouri State Fair. He has also served as a member of the South Harrison R-II School Board, Green Hills Regional Planning Commission, Sherman Township board of trustees, and the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, as well as on advisory groups to Cong. Sam Graves and former U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent.

Fordyce, a fourth-generation Missouri farmer, and his wife, Renee, grow soybeans and corn and raise beef cattle on the family farm in Harrison County.