MOULTRIE — The Georgia Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee unanimously appointed a Moultrie man to sit on the newly formed Equine Commodity Commission.

Harry Thompson of the Georgia Young Farmer’s Association will serve as one of three ex-officio members on the commission, alongside Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin, Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and an appointee from the House of Representatives’ Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, said a recent press release from the state. This group will appoint the remaining five members from a pool of applicants, all of whom are involved in the equine industry.

“I am pleased that the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee has chosen to appoint Mr. Thompson to the commission,” said Sen. John Bulloch, R-Ochlocknee, chairman of the Senate committee. “I believe that he will be a strong asset to both the commission and the state’s equine industry as a whole, and I appreciate his willingness to serve.”

Thompson serves as the young farmers and adult educators coordinator for the Georgia Young Farmers Association. He is the first Senate appointee to the commission, which was established last year.

In its first year of operation, the commission is charged with providing research, promotional and educational efforts to support the equine industry.

“I am looking forward to serving on this commission and having the opportunity to promote the equine industry for the state,” Thompson said. “Georgia has an opportunity to showcase its unique resources through the Equine Commodity Commission, and I hope to see it succeed in providing effective promotional efforts and educating others about the equine industry.”

The commission will fund its effort through various sources such as grants, donations and revenue generated from the sale of a special equine license plate.