West Higginbotham, producer from Marianna, Ark., has been elected by the board of directors of the Agricultural Council of Arkansas to serve as president of the organization for a two-year term. He succeeds Rick Bransford of Lonoke who completed his term as president.

Higginbotham, who operates a 4,500-acre family farm in Lee County with his father, Steve, brings many leadership attributes to the organization. He serves on the Arkansas Soybean Research and Promotion Board where he recently concluded a term as chairman.

He also brings 11 years of public service experience having served on the United States Senate staff under three U.S. Senators and as a staff member to the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee.

In addition to all he learned in Washington about policy making and public service, he also learned a great deal from his father who served in the Arkansas State Senate and helped usher in legislation that established the Arkansas Agriculture Department.

The Higginbotham family traditionally farms corn, soybeans, wheat and grain sorghum though they have grown cotton in years past. The family was recognized in 2015 as Lee County Farm Family of the Year.

His immediate family consists of his wife, Weezie, and their three children, West, Milner and Ruthie.

Higginbotham is a graduate of the University of Arkansas where he received a degree in finance. He also serves as a board member to the Lee County Community Foundation and attends the First United Methodist Church in Marianna.

He will lead the executive committee and board of directors of the Ag Council alongside Dow Brantley (Lonoke County), first vice president; Matt Hyneman (Craighead County), second vice president; and Cal McCastlain (Monroe County), treasurer.

For more information, visit http://agcouncil.net/