Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed two members to the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors. The two members will serve 3-year terms of office beginning January 2016.

Marsha Ann Spykerman, Sibley, Iowa, is appointed to represent sheep producers. Francisco Javier Iturriria, Bakersfield, Calif., is appointed to represent expertise in finance and management.

The Sheep Center was established as part of the 2008 Farm Bill and is designed to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. sheep and goat industries.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed two members to the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors. (Photo: fotokostic/Thinkstock)

The board is composed of seven voting members and two non-voting members.  Voting members of the board include four members who are active producers of sheep in the United States, two members that have expertise in finance and management, and one member that has expertise in lamb, wool, goat, or goat product marketing.  Non-voting members include the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight of the center.

Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service