Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268Samuel.Jones@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, May 14, 2012 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced five appointments to the 15-member National Pork Board. The five appointees will each serve 3-year terms.
"I am pleased that these individuals have agreed to provide their time and expertise," said Vilsack. “I am confident that pork producers and importers will be well served by them.”
In 2010, according to USDA statistics, there were 69,100 pork operations, representing about 64 million head of pigs at the beginning of 2011. Top pork producing states included Iowa, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana.
The five appointees were chosen from among eight pork producers nominated by the National Pork Producers Delegate Body during its meeting in Denver, Colorado, in March.
The newly appointed members representing pork producers are: Craig Mensink, Preston, Minnesota and Carl Link, Fort Recovery, Ohio. Members reappointed to the board include: Brad Greenway, Mitchell, South Dakota; Dale Norton, Bronson, Michigan; and Lisa Colby, Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Established under the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985, the board develops budgets and awards contracts to carry out a coordinated program designed to strengthen the position of pork in the marketplace.
The mandatory program is funded by an assessment of 0.4 percent of the market value of all hogs sold in the United States and an equivalent amount on imported hogs, pork and pork products.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees operations of the board.
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