Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe has appointed Arkansas rice farmer Ray Vester to the Arkansas State Plant Board.

Vester, who has been a rice farmer for more than 40 years, will represent the interest of the state’s rice producers on the board.

The mission of the plant board is to “protect and serve the citizens of Arkansas and the agricultural and business communities by providing information and unbiased enforcement of laws and regulations thus ensuring quality products and services.”

Vester’s plant board term expires March 17, 2011. He is chairman of USA Rice Federation’s Environmental Regulatory Subcommittee.