The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of nine members to serve on the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. Eight of the nine appointees will serve three-year terms, effective immediately through June 30, 2027. The appointee for Region 13 will serve the remaining term of a vacant position, effective immediately and expiring June 30, 2026.
The newly appointed members are:
- Ed Fugger, Dallas, Texas (Region 6)
- Jeff Wilkerson, Cincinnati, Ohio (Region 8)
- Daniel Hofmeister, Seattle, Washington (Region 13)
- Patrick Schallberger, San Marcos, California (Region 15)
- Dennis Roberts, Modesto, California (At-large, processor)
The newly reappointed members are:
- Jay Bryant, Herndon, Virginia (Region 3)
- Terry Dana, Industry, California (Region 9)
- Scott W. Shehadey, Fresno, California (Region 12)
- Jaclyn Cardin, LaFarge, Wisconsin (At-large, processor)
The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board was established by the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 to develop and administer a coordinated program of advertising and promotion to increase the demand for fluid milk products. It is composed of 15 fluid milk processors from 15 geographic regions and five at-large members. At least three at-large members must be fluid milk processors, and at least one at-large member must be from the general public. The remaining at-large seat may be filled by a fluid milk processor or a member of the general public.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight to 22 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments.
AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender