FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LUTHERVILLE, Md. (Dec. 8, 2025) — Solutions from the Land (SfL) announces the appointment of R.C. Hunt, of Wilson, North Carolina, and Chuck Studer, of Westfield, Indiana, to its board of directors. SfL President Ernie Shea said both appointments strengthen the board at a time when agriculture plays a central role in addressing global challenges.
“Livestock play a critical role in delivering agriculture’s solutions to global challenges such as food and nutrition security, biodiversity loss, water filtration and storage, carbon sequestration, and renewable energy development,” Shea said. “RC’s experience and insights into improving the sustainability and resilience of animal agriculture operations will make him a highly valuable member of the SfL Board of Directors.”
Hunt is a hog farmer from Wilson, N.C., and a past president of the National Pork Producers Council. In addition to hogs, he raises cattle and farms cropland. His leadership experience includes service on the board and executive committee of the North Carolina Pork Council (NCPC), the North Carolina Agribusiness Council, the board of trustees for Louisburg College, and the United States Aquaculture Cooperative. He is also a former chairman of the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport Authority and a past president of Wilson Wide-A-Wake Kiwanis. Hunt earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University.
“I take great pride in being part of the SfL Board,” Hunt said. “My hope is to contribute by communicating agricultural and livestock practices that will be sustainable long term. Many past practices were instrumental in shaping today’s operations. If we study their evolution, we can better understand how they became common practice.”
Shea said Studer brings complementary expertise rooted in innovation and technology.
“Chuck’s decades-long work and interactions with John Deere and other equipment manufacturers bring us a leader with firsthand knowledge of how innovation and technology help producers sustainably intensify production, strengthen resilience, and deliver ecosystem services,” Shea said. “With the rapid development of AI and precision agriculture tools, producers will increasingly be able to do more with less.”
Studer most recently served as Director of Industry Relations for John Deere, where he led industry and association relations supporting the company’s U.S. Agriculture & Turf business. A fourth-generation member of a row crop farming operation in central Illinois, he remains involved in the farm as a landlord and advisor. His farm background continues to shape his perspective and commitment to agriculture.
“Our lands, and the people who work them, have always been key to resolving humankind’s greatest challenges,” Studer said. “I look forward to joining SfL in its mission to engage farmers, ranchers, and others in delivering impactful solutions.”
SfL looks forward to the contributions both leaders will bring as they join its 13-member board.
About Solutions from the Land
Solutions from the Land (SfL) is a farmer/scientist-led 501c3 nonprofit focused on land-based solutions to global challenges. SfL builds and facilitates state, national, and global initiatives and alliances through which farmers, ranchers, foresters, and collaborating partners showcase examples of innovation and proactively advocate for policies, partnerships, investments, and research that will enable agricultural landscapes to deliver near-term, cost-effective, integrated solutions to global mega-challenges: food and energy security; sustainable economic development; and environmental improvement. For more information, visit www.solutionsfromtheland.org.
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For more information, please contact:
Ernie Shea, President, Solutions from the Land
eshea@solutionsfromtheland.org 410-252-7079 (office); 410-952-0123 (cell)
