Conner Names Members To The U.S. Highbush

Acting Agricultural Secretary Chuck Conner today appointed six producer members, one first handler and alternates to serve on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. The members will each serve three-year terms of office beginning Jan. 1, 2008 and ending Dec. 31, 2010.

Newly appointed producer members are: H. Neil Moore of Ivanhoe, N.C.; Dennis G. Doyle, New Lisbon, N.J. and Douglas A. Krahmer, St. Paul, Ore. Reappointed producer members are: Adair Chambers Peterson, Homerville, Ga.; Robert Carini, West Olive, Mich. and Rod Cook, Olympia, Wash.

Newly appointed alternates are: Ralph C. Carter Jr., White Lake, N.C.; Tim Wetherbee, Hammonton, N.J.; Ryan L. Brown, Hillsboro, Ore. and John V. Bennett, Alma, Ga. Reappointed alternates are: Kathryn A. Clemons, Pullman, Mich. and Bryan Sakuma, Bow, Wash.

Paul Macrie III of Hammonton is a newly appointed handler member and Guy P. Cotton, Stockton, Calif., is a newly appointed handler alternate.

The Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order, which became effective on July 17, 2000, authorizes the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council to conduct a coordinated program of promotion, research and consumer and industry information in order to maintain and expand the market for cultivated blueberries. Assessment obligations under the program started on Jan. 1, 2001. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the operation of the council.