Release No.: 185-14

Contact:

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

Samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2014 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today appointed three members to the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors. Members will serve a three-year term of office beginning January 2015.

Appointed to the board representing sheep and goat producers are Linda Campbell of Luray, Virginia, and Laurie Hubbard of Huntington Mills, Pennsylvania. Appointed to the board representing expertise in marketing is Cody Heimke of Stroughton, Wisconsin.

The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center was established as part of the 2008 Farm Bill and is designed to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. sheep and goat industries. The board is composed of seven voting members and two non-voting members. Voting members of the board include four members who are active producers of sheep or goats in the United States, two members that have expertise in finance and management, and one member that has expertise in lamb, wool, goat, or goat product marketing. Non-voting members include USDA's Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight of the Center.

AMS encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by its industry. Diversity includes gender, race, disability, length of service, and size and type of operation.

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