Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of 39 members to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. All 39 appointees will serve 3-year terms.

Newly appointed members representing cattle producers are:

-Aubrey Blackmon, Houston, Ark.;

-Jo Stanko, Steamboat Springs, Colo.;

-Dwain Johnson, Archer, Fla.;

-Lynn C. Keetch, Montpelier, Idaho;

-Sara Prescott, Sherman, Ill.;

-Norman D. Voyles, Jr., Martinsville, Ind.;

-Brian L. Sampson, Nevada, Iowa, and Jenni Peters, Bellevue, Iowa;

-Byron Lehman, Newton, Kan., and Beth Patterson, Yates Center, Kan.;

-Shane Wiseman, Winchester, Ky.;

-Steve Matthees, Goodhue, Minn.;

-Tammy Bartholomew, Archie, Mo., and Bill McLaren, Pacific, Mo.;

-Lynda Joyce Grande, Columbus, Mont.;

-Torri Ortiz Lienemann, Princeton, Neb., and Herbert B. Rhodes, Omaha, Neb.;

-Rich Brown, Port Byron, N.Y.;

-James M. Schmidt, Menoken, N.D.;

-Kathryn Sautter, Tiro, Ohio;

-Chuck R. Coffey, Springer, Okla., and Jean Lam, Pauls Valley, Okla.;

-Katharine Jackson, Myrtle Creek; Ore.;

-Jana L. Malot, Harrisonville, Pa.;

-Cory Eich, Canova, S.D.;

-Paul Moss, Cottage Grove, Tenn.;

-Roger Clift, Gruver, Texas; Steven J. Mafrige, Tilden, Texas; Brian Malaer, Harwood, Texas; Tim Pennell, Westhoff, Texas, and Janna DeMott Stubbs, Alpine, Texas;

-Bobby L. Combs, Chilhowie, Va.;

-Lloyd DeRuyter, Cedar Grove, Wis.;

-William L. McLean, Coulee City, Wash.;

-Betts J. Berry, Chickamauga, Ga., and Stephanie R. Butcher, Senoia, Ga.;

-Joaquin Contente, Hanford, Calif., and Michael Smith, Visalia, Calif.

Dana Ehrlich, Newton, Mass, is the newly appointed member representing importers.

The 100-member board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The Secretary of Agriculture selects the appointees nominated by beef, veal, dairy, and importers-certified organizations.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity for participating stakeholders.

Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service