Five new appointments to the 15-Member National Pork Board have been announced by Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack. The appointees will each serve a 3 year term.
The new appointees chosen to represent pork producers are: Craig Mensink, Preston, Minnesota and Carl Link, Fort Recovery, Ohio. The reappointed members of the board consist of: Brad Greenway, Mitchell, South Dakota; Dale Norton, Bronson, Michigan; and Lisa Colby, Newburyport, Massachusetts.
The National Pork Producers Delegate Body nominated eight pork producers during its March meeting in Denver, Colorado, from which the five appointees were selected.
“I am pleased that these individuals have agreed to provide their time and expertise” said Secretary Vilsack. “I am confident that pork producers and importers will be well served by them.”
The newly appointed and reappointed board members join current members:
• Everett Forkner of Richards, Mo. – president
• Conley Nelson of Algona, Iowa - vice president
• Karen Richter of Montgomery, Minn. -treasurer.
• Roy Henry of Longford, Kan.
• Julie Maschhoff of Carlyle, Ill.
• Wathina Luthi of Gage, Okla.
• Derrick Sleezer of Cherokee, Iowa
• Steve Wuergler of Drain, Ore.
• Henry Moore of Clinton, N.C.
• Glen Walters of Barnesville, Ga.
According to USDA statistics there were 69,100 pork operations in 2010, with about 64 million head of pigs at the beginning of 2011. Iowa, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana are the top five pork producing states.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check the Internet at www.pork.org.