Gov. Jay Nixon today named Richard Fordyce, of Bethany, as the new director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Fordyce and his wife, Renee, grow soybeans and corn and raise beef cattle on the family farm in Harrison County. Since 2008, Fordyce has served as chairman of the Missouri State Soil & Water Districts Commission.
Fordyce received the 2012 Soil Conservationist of the Year award from the Conservation Federation of Missouri. He has held leadership positions with the Harrison County Farm Bureau, including serving as its president from 1993 to 2010. He has been involved on various boards and committees of the Missouri Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation.
The governor appoints the director with advice and consent of the State Senate. Fordyce will begin his duties immediately.