JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, presented the governor’s picks to lead the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) and to serve on the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority.

Richard Fordyce of Bethany was selected by the governor to serve as director of MDA. The Harrison County farmer is a past chairman of the Missouri State Soil and Water Districts Commission. He was selected for the job in late 2013.

Morris Heitman of Mound City was named by the governor to serve as a member of the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority. He grows corn and soybeans on his farm in Holt County, serves on the boards of the Missouri Corn Growers Association and the Corning Levee District, and is a past county director for the Farm Service Agency for Buchanan and Holt counties.

“Northwest Missouri is a rural, agricultural area of our state, and I am proud to know that two of its residents will serve Missouri as only they can,” Sen. Lager said. “I have nothing but pride and admiration for both of these gentlemen, and know they will both do a great job in their new positions. Agriculture is Missouri’s No. 1 industry, and we intend for it to stay this way for a long time to come.”

After being granted approval by the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee, both Fordyce and Heitman’s appointments were confirmed and approved by the full Missouri Senate.