(a) There is created and established a State Plant Board, composed of eighteen (18) members, as follows:

(1) The head of the Department of Entomology, Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas;

(2) The head of the Department of Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas;

(3) A practical cotton grower, actively engaged in the business, to be appointed by the Governor;

(4) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas fertilizer and cotton oil mills, actively engaged in the business, to be appointed by the Governor;

(5) A practical rice grower, actively engaged in the business, to be appointed by the Governor;

(6) A practical horticulturist, actively engaged in the business, to be elected by the Arkansas State Horticultural Society;

(7) A nurseryman, actively engaged in the business, to be elected by the Arkansas Green Industry Association;

(8) A practical seed grower, actively engaged in the business, to be elected by the Arkansas Seed Growers Association;

(9) A pest control operator, actively engaged in the business, to be elected by the Arkansas Pest Management Association, Inc.;

(10) A seed dealer, actively engaged in the business, to be elected by the Arkansas Seed Dealers' Association;

(11) A feed manufacturer, actively engaged in the business, to be elected by the Arkansas Feed Manufacturers Association, LLC;

(12) A pesticide manufacturer, actively engaged in the business, to be elected by the Arkansas Crop Protection Association Inc.;

(13) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association, to be elected by the Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association;

(14) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas Forestry Association, to be elected by the Arkansas Forestry Association;

(15) Two (2) farmers actively and principally engaged in farming in this state, appointed by the Governor;

(16) One (1) representative of the livestock industry, actively engaged in the business, to be appointed by the Governor; and

(17) One (1) representative of the forage industry, actively engaged in the business, to be appointed by the Governor.

(b) Board members shall serve a term of two (2) years or until such time as a successor has been elected or appointed as herein provided. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for all purposes.

(c) The chair, vice chair, and secretary-treasurer shall be elected by the members of the board. The board shall designate some official or employee of the board to serve as disbursing officer of the board.

(d) Meetings of the board shall be called by the chair or by four (4) members of the board.

(e) The members shall serve without compensation but may receive expense reimbursements in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq. and shall be authorized to provide a suitable office where the meetings of the board may be held and its records kept.

(f) If necessary to provide suitable space for its offices, laboratories, and other needs, the board may buy property, build buildings, or lease property for a period covering not more than fifteen (15) years from the date of lease.