Camp Hand is an assistant professor and Extension cotton specialist at the University of Georgia in Tifton. His research and Extension programs focus on cotton agronomics in Georgia, and his goal is to work with the UGA county agents and growers to answer questions that will help Georgia growers remain sustainable and economical. Camp received his BS and MS degrees at Auburn University in horticulture while minoring in agronomy. His graduate work at Auburn was conducted under Dr. Wheeler Foshee. He then went on to pursue a PhD at the University of Georgia in Tifton in weed science under the direction of Dr. Stanley Culpepper.
Tas Smith joined the National Cotton Council (NCC) in November 2019 and was recently named the Vice President of Producer Affairs at the council's 2021 annual meeting. Tas works with the American Cotton Producers and the NCC's grower membership to implement policies that enhance the viability and long-term sustainability of the producer segment of the industry. Tas previously served as the State Executive Director in Georgia for the USDA's Farm Service Agency. Prior to that, Tas worked for the Georgia Farm Bureau, most recently serving as the Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs.
Kody Bessent, a native of Acuff, Texas, currently serves as the Vice President of Operations and Legislative Affairs for Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., where he assists the PCG Executive VP, its Board of Directors, and staff with operations and on state and federal legislative matters. Additionally, Bessent administers and works to enhance the newly-established PCG political action committee. Prior to working for PCG, Bessent served as the Legislative Affairs Director for the High Plains Water District focusing on private property rights and Texas groundwater policy. Bessent also served as the Vice President of Legislative Affairs and Producer relations for the Texas Wheat Producers Board and Association prior to working for the High Plains Water District. He attended West Texas A&M University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education and a master’s degree in agriculture emphasizing in business and economics. Bessent has a background in production agriculture and his family continues to produce cotton, wheat and grain sorghum on their family farming operation in Acuff, Texas.
Taylor Sills is Executive Director of the Georgia Cotton Commission.
