WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment
of 12 members to the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. All appointees
will serve 3-year terms beginning immediately.
“These appointees represent a cross section of the dairy industry and I am
confident that dairy producers will be well served by them,” said Vilsack.
Dairy production is vital to the United States agriculture industry. In 2008,
according to USDA statistics, 190 billion pounds of milk were produced in the
United States. The 36-member board is authorized by the Dairy Production
Stabilization Act of 1983. The Secretary selected the appointees from
nominations submitted by eligible producer organizations, general farm
organizations, and qualified State or regional dairy products promotion,
research or nutrition education programs.
The board’s goal is to strengthen the position of dairy in the marketplace and
to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for dairy and dairy
products. The mandatory program is funded at the rate of 15 cents per
hundredweight of milk produced in the 48 contiguous States and marketed
commercially. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight of the board.
Newly appointed are: George E. Marsh, Oregon (Region 1); Ray S. Prock,
California (Region 2); Arlene J. Vander Eyk, California (Region 2); Brian W.
Esplin, Idaho (Region 3); Neil A. Hoff, Texas (Region 4); Paul A. Fritsche,
Minnesota (Region 5); Patricia M. Boettcher, Wisconsin (Region 6); Mark E.
Erdman, Illinois (Region7); Susan D. K. Troyer, Indiana (Region 9); and Ronald
R. McCormick, New York (Region 12).
Reappointed to serve second terms were: Randy G. Roecker, Wisconsin (Region 6);
and Rita P. Kennedy, Pennsylvania (Region 11).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint
of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272
(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
Source:
USDA