USDA

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has appointed 31 producer members to serve on the National Potato Promotion Board for terms beginning 1 March 2009, and ending on 29 February 29 2012.

In addition, Mr Schafer has welcomed two producers, two handlers, six importers and one public member to serve on the National Watermelon Promotion Board to serve three-year terms beginning 1 January 2009 and ending on 31 December 2011.

Reappointed to the potato board are: Kent Bitter, of Shelley, Idaho; Tom Church, Wilder, Idaho; Nick Cummins of MuAaugh, Idaho; Melanie Ann Likes, Shelley, Idaho; Ronald D. Lockwood, Eden, Idaho; Shane Webster, Rexburg, Idaho; Tim L. Young, Coral, Mich.; Jimmy Harrell, Elizabeth City, N.C.; John Christoffel Probasco, Chesterfield, N.J.; Todd Michael, Urbana, Ohio; and Jeff Urbach, Sherwood, Ore.

Newly appointed to the potato board are: Roger Christensen of Center, Colo.; Arnold Hubert Mack, Lake Wales, Fla.; Wyatt V. Penfold, Driggs, Idaho; Jared Gehring, American Falls, Idaho; Bryan Wada, Pingree, Idaho; Brett Jensen, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Ryan Wayne Cranney, Oakley, Idaho; Kevin Searle, Shelley, Idaho; Adam C. Culler, Samaria, Mich.; Lonnie Spokely, Nielsville, Minn.; Pete Ewing, Becker, Minn.; Mitch Jorde, Cando, N.D.; Tim May, Imperial, Neb.; John N. Meyer Sr., Cohocton, N.Y.; H. Bruce Richardson Jr., Capeville, Va.; Kathy Blasdel, Kennewick, Wash.; Diana G. Martinez, Royal City, Wash.; Kristopher Charles Butcher, Othello, Wash.; Brad Bailie, Connell, Wash.; and Mike Carter, Schofield, Wis.

Those members reappointed to the watermelon board are: Chandler Mack, of Babson Park, Fla., District One, (producer member) alongside importer members: Jesus Chuy Lopez, Rio Rico, Ariz. and Alan M. Guzi, Delray Beach, Fla.

Jim Barfield, Immokalee, Fla., District One, is a newly appointed producer member to the watermelon board, while newly appointed handler members include: Jean Marinaro, Vero Beach, Fla. and Stephen Ross Nichols, Lakeland, Fla.

Newly appointed importer members comprise: Jeffery D. Fawcett, McAllen, Texas; James Glenn Henderson Jr., Edinburg, Texas; Les Hefner, McAllen, Texas and Dale DeBerry Jr., Boerne, Texas.

And finally, Patrick J. O’Connor, Mason, Mich., is a newly appointed public member to the National Watermelon Promotion Board.