AMS No. 223-12

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

Samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of 12 members to the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. All appointees’ terms will begin Nov. 1 and end Oct. 31, 2015.

"These appointees represent a cross section of the dairy industry and I am confident that the industry will be well served by them," said Vilsack.

Newly appointed members are: Lawrence A. Hancock, Texas; Lanette M. Harsdorf, Wisconsin; Edward J. Jasurda, Wisconsin; David Veenhouwer, Idaho; and Marilyn K. Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Reappointed to serve second terms were: George Marsh, Oregon; Ray S. Prock, Jr., California; Arlene J. Vander Eyk, California; Paul A. Fritsche, Minnesota; Mark E. Erdman, Illinois; Susan D.K. Troyer, Indiana; and Ronald R. McCormick, New York.

The board was established under the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983, as amended, to develop and administer a coordinated program of promotion, research and nutrition education. The 38-member board is authorized to design programs that strengthen the dairy industry’s position in the marketplace.

The Secretary selected the appointees from nominations submitted by eligible producer organizations, general farm organizations, and qualified dairy products promotion, research or nutrition education programs.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966, when Congress passed the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 20 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

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