AMS No. 264-12

Gwen Sparks (202) 260-8210

gwen.sparks@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2012 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed six members and alternates to serve on the National Honey Board. Representatives will complete three-year terms of office beginning Jan. 1, 2013.

Newly appointed board members include first handler Jill M. Clark of Lancaster, Pa. and importer member Charles V. Kocot of New Providence, N.J. First handler Tony D. Schmitz of Defiance, Ind. and importer Nicholas J. Sargeantson of Wilton, Conn. will serve as alternates.

Producers George K. Hansen of Colton, Ore. and Bonnie M. Woodworth of Halliday, N.D. were reappointed as a member and alternate, respectively.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides board oversight in accordance with the Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order. The program is administered by board members, who are selected by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 20 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers, 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. AMS oversight ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

Visit www.ams.usda.gov/ResearchandPromotion to learn more about research and promotion programs.

#

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (Voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).