Hakim Fobia (202) 690-0488hakim.fobia@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack has appointed nine members and nine alternates to serve on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.
“These appointees represent a cross section of the industry, and I am confident that blueberry producers and importers will be well served by them,” said Vilsack.
Five of the members and seven of the alternates are newly appointed. The newly appointed members are John V. Bennett of Alma, Ga.; George Fritz Jr., Gobles, Mich.; Bryan Sakuma, Burlington, Wash.; Janice L. Honigberg, Schiller Park, Ill.; and Parm S. Bains, Abbotsford, British Columbia.
The newly appointed alternates are Adair Chambers Peterson of Homerville, Ga.; Christopher H. Barnhil, Ivanhoe, N.C.; Robert Carini, West Olive, Mich.; Steve Erickson, Salem, Ore.; Rob Dhaliwal, Everson, Wash.; Chris Martin, Los Angeles; and Ray Biln, Maple Ridge, British Columbia.
Four of the members and two of the alternates were reappointed. The reappointed members are H. Neil Moore of Ivanhoe, N.C.; Dennis G. Doyle, New Lisbon, N.J.; Douglas A. Krahmer, St. Paul, Ore.; and Paul J. Macrie III, Hammonton, N.J. The reappointed alternates are Tim Wetherbee, Hammonton, N.J.; and Guy P. Cotton, Stockton, Calif.
Each appointee will serve a 3-year term ending Dec. 31, 2013.
Under the Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order, blueberry producers and importers pay an assessment of $12 per ton on all blueberries. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council uses the proceeds to fund market development activities in the United States and abroad.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight of the council.
More information about USDA’s fruit and vegetable research and promotion programs can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion.
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