The Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) on Wednesday announced its endorsement of Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate’s (R-AL) 2022 reelection bid.

Pate, currently serving his first term as commissioner after being elected in 2018, announced his GOP reelection candidacy earlier this week.

“Commissioner Pate has done an outstanding job leading the Department of Agriculture and Industries over the last few years,” stated AFA president Chris Isaacson. “He has been a tireless advocate for Alabama’s agricultural community. We are honored to stand with Rick in his bid for a second term.”

During Pate’s term as commissioner, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries has implemented the innovative statewide branding program “Sweet Grown Alabama,” increased funding for the Alabama Farm to School Program and successfully administered Alabama’s first industrial hemp program.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the commissioner also fought to keep agriculture listed as critical infrastructure, delivered essential personal protective equipment to processing facilities across the state and kept the department functioning strongly.

Pate was previously served as mayor of Lowndesboro for 14 years. He founded Pate Landscape Co., Inc. and spent 38 years running the company. In 2020, Pate was elected as an RNC delegate and one of the nine Alabama Electoral College Electors for former President Donald J. Trump. He currently serves as chairman of the Lowndes County Republican Party and on the statewide Alabama Republican Executive Committee.

A member of the Lowndesboro Baptist Church, Pate and his wife, Julie, have been married for 33 years and have two adult sons.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn