Potato Board Members Named

WASHINGTON - Mar 4/05 - SNS - The USDA appointed 32 producer members to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Potato Promotion Board.

Newly appointed producer members are: Nolan H. Critchfield of Oakley, Idaho; Cheryl Ann Koompin of American Falls, Idaho; Bryan R. Folson of East Grand Forks, Minn.; James R. Allen of Alliance, Neb.; Craig Steinbeisser of Zahl, N.D.; and M. Keith Barrett of Shallowater, Texas.

Also newly appointed as producer members are: Terry Bailie of Mesa, Wash.; Stephen B. Connors of Othello, Wash.; Fred Olberding of Pasco, Wash.; Kevin O’Rorke of Richland, Wash.; Andrew S. Diercks of Coloma, Wis.; Bradley J. Faldet of Waupaca, Wis.; and Donald J. Brown of Pinebluffs, Wyo.

Reappointed producer members are: Carla J. Worley of Monte Vista, Colo.; Douglas M. Hanks of St. Anthony, Idaho; Randy L. Hardy of Oakley, Idaho; Dale Mickelson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Richard D. Polatis of Blackfoot, Idaho; Eric Wahlen of Aberdeen, Idaho; Brent A. Buck of Chapman, Maine; Jerome R. Edling of Clear Lake, Minn.; David Moquist of Crystal, N.D.; Tom M. Torkelson of Granfton, N.D.; Virgil Slagell of Hydro, Okla.; Tony Amstad of Hermiston, Ore.; Virginia Blackman of Klamath Falls, Ore.; Roger D. Hawley of Bellingham, Wash.; Kyle L. Knight of Connell, Wash.; Peter H. Mercer of Quincy, Wash.; Loren Stangeland of Richland, Wash.; Thomas J. Lundgren of Stevens Point, Wis.; and Arthur F. Seidl of Deerbrook, Wis.

Authorized under the 1971 Potato Research and Promotion Act, the Potato Board is composed of producers, importers and a public member appointed by the agriculture secretary. Producer members are nominated at state and local producer meetings and by mail ballot. Each state is entitled to at least one producer member, and additional members are allotted on the basis of the volume of production. Importer members are nominated by importers, and the number of members is related to the volume of imports up to a maximum of five importer members.