Release No.: 021-14

Contact:

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed nine members and nine alternates to the American Egg Board for the 2014-2015 term. All appointees will serve 2-year terms.

Appointed Egg Board members and alternates, by region, are:

North Atlantic states – Paul D. Sauder, Hershey, Pa., member; Karyn M. Kreher, Clarence Center, N.Y., alternate.

South Atlantic states – Kevin J. “Jacques” Klempf, Ponte Vedra, Fla., member; Tim E. Floyd, Hartwell, Ga., alternate; C. Jeffrey Hardin, La Grange, Texas, member; Alex R. Simpson, Monroe, N.C., alternate.

East North Central states – Richard A. Patmos, Hudsonville, Mich., member; Thomas A. Stoller, Ohio City, Ohio, alternate.

West North Central states – Scott T. Ramsdell, Flondreau, S.D., member; Amos Baer, Lake Park, Minn., alternate.

South Central states – Diane M. Sparish, Plymouth, Minn., member; Steven L. George, Grinnell, Iowa, alternate; Brian V. Joyer, Litchfield, Minn., member; Brent G. Nelson, Manhattan, Kan., alternate.

Western states – Clint L. Hickman, Goodyear, Ariz., member; Jill I. Benson, Modesto, Calif., alternate; Mark G. Oldenkamp, Canby, Ore., member; Roger D. Deffner, Mill Creek, Wash., alternate.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 21 research and promotion boards. They empower agricultural industries by establishing a framework for them to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, helping to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

Composed of 18 members and 18 alternates representing six regions, the board administers an egg research and promotion program authorized by the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act of 1974. Terms on the board are staggered so that half of the membership is appointed each year in order to provide continuity in policy. The Secretary of Agriculture selects appointees from egg producers nominated by organizations representing the egg industry.

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