Meet Our New Board Members and Alternates

(L-R Top Row): Casey Cox, Wesley Webb, Neal Baxley, Jr. (L-R Bottom Row): Doug Jarrell, Jeffrey Roper, Mason Becker.

New National Peanut Board members and alternates were appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to serve three-year terms, which began Jan. 1, 2022. Micah Barham (1989-2022) and Lucy Shackelford were reappointed At-Large member and alternate, respectively. Micah Barham passed away suddenly after a brief illness on Feb. 7, 2022.

Casey Cox, Georgia member

Cox served as Georgia alternate before being appointed member this year. She farms along with her father, Glenn, and is the president and CEO of Longleaf Ridge Farms. They grow runner peanuts, sweet corn, field corn, soybeans and timber. Cox graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in forest resources and conservation. She is the former executive director of the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District and currently serves as a district supervisor.

“In serving on the Board, I love having the opportunity to get to know other peanut farmers from across the country, building relationships and working collaboratively to accomplish our goals.”

Wesley Webb, Georgia alternate

New to the Board, Webb is a fourth-generation farmer who owns/operates Wesley Webb Farms, producing runner peanuts, cotton, corn and timber. Webb has a degree from Kennesaw State University. He is board president of the Calhoun County Farm Bureau and recently completed his tenure on the FSA County Committee as chairman.

“I am interested in keeping the public informed about what we’re doing on the farm, where safe food comes from and how sustainable farming is important to all of us and our way of life. I’m proud to continue the work done on the Board by previous members.”

Neal Baxley, Jr., South Carolina member

Baxley served as alternate before being appointed member this year. He is owner/operator of Baxley Farms LLC, along with his father, Steve, and brother, Gene Robert. They grow Virginia and runner peanuts, corn, cotton, soybeans and tobacco, and have a cattle and hog operation. Baxley graduated from The Citadel with a degree in civil and environmental engineering.

“I look forward to serving as a Board member to ensure a profitable and sustainable future for the hardworking peanut-farming families across the Southeast through promoting peanuts and funding cutting-edge research that will make a difference in producers’ operations.”

Doug Jarrell, South Carolina alternate

This is Jarrell’s first year on the Board. He is the owner/operator of Doug Jarrell Farms and works closely with his father. He grows runner peanuts, cotton and corn. Jarrell attended a technical school and currently serves as Cotton Inc. board alternate, Hampton County Soil and Water board member and Farm Bureau County board member where he previously served as president and vice president. “I’m excited to learn what the Board does and helping to promote peanuts. I’m looking forward to meeting new people, networking and learning how farmers grow peanuts in other areas.”

Jeffery Roper, Texas member

Roper previously served as Texas alternate. He owns/operates Jeffery Roper Farms and produces organic peanuts, cotton, organic milo and organic wheat and native grasses. He holds a degree in horticulture from Texas Tech University. Roper is vice chairman of the Texas Peanut Producers Board and has held various office roles on the American Peanut Council Export committee.

“I have a better understanding of how the Board operates, especially in the areas of allergy research, state research funding and helping fund genomics research, and the vast promotion work done by the Board and its partners.”

Mason Becker, Texas alternate

Becker, a fourth-generation farmer who is new to the Board, is president/owner of Arid Acres Inc. He grows all four types of peanuts, cotton and wheat. Becker attended Blinn College, Texas Christian University’s Ranch Management Program and Texas Tech University. Becker is a current board member of the Western Peanut Growers Association.

“I have always tried to serve farmers in my area and to put myself in a position as a younger farmer to learn from later generations. I believe it’s important to pass down the knowledge particularly about farm policy and research so that we can move forward.”