Sen. John Wilkinson, R-Toccoa, who was recently sworn into the state legislature, has been appointed to several committees for the 2011- 2012 term.

Wilkinson will serve as secretary of the Agriculture Committee and will also sit on the Education, Health and Human Services and Economic Development committees.

Wilkinson was elected Dec. 6 to represent District 50 - which includes portions of Towns, Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Banks, Franklin and Hart counties - in the session that convenes Jan. 9.

Wilkinson has served as executive secretary of Georgia's FFA and holds a bachelor's degree in agriculture and a master's degree in education, both from the University of Georgia.

"I am overly pleased at my new committee assignments," he said. "I pledge to use my backgrounds in agriculture and education to further the needs of my constituents and the needs of all Georgians as we move to make this great state even better."