By Marlee Moore
(334) 613-4219

Alabama farmer Jake Harper has been appointed to the Forever Wild Land Trust (FWLT) board, where he’ll represent the Southern District. Wilcox County’s Harper replaces David Wright of Dallas County, whose term expired.

As a longtime timber and cattle farmer, Harper brings a wealth of practical land knowledge to the 15-member board, said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell, who nominated Harper for the role.

“Jake will be an invaluable source of wisdom for Forever Wild,” Parnell said. “We are proud to support Jake and know he will make thoughtful decisions on behalf of conservation and wildlife interests in Alabama.”

FWLT was established in 1992 and has secured more than 270,000 acres for public use. Harper and fellow board members help oversee the trust and its acquisitions.

In addition to farming near Camden, Harper is the Federation Southwest Area vice president, Wilcox County Farmers Federation president and a State Forestry Committee member. He’s a past president of the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association, chairs the Wilcox County Soil & Water Conservation District, formerly served on the Farm Service Agency Committee and was Federation State Young Farmers Committee chair in 1988.

Harper and wife Pam have three children and one grandchild. They attend Bethel Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Oak Hill.