Congratulations to the dairy farmers who have been newly appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. All appointees will serve three-year terms effective July 1, 2010.

Newly appointed National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board members are: Tunde E. Balazs, New York (Region 1); Nick Mysoré, Texas (Region 10); Henry F. Michon, California (Region 13); and Brian P. Linney, Washington (At-Large Processor.)

Reappointed to serve second terms are: Charles L. Gaither, Jr., North Carolina (Region 4); James B. Green, Minnesota (Region 7); and Teresa E. Webb, New Jersey (At-Large Processor.)

The 20 member board’s goal is to strengthen the position of fluid milk in the marketplace and to maintain and expand uses for fluid milk products. The mandatory program is funded through a 20-cent per hundredweight assessment on fluid milk products processed and marketed commercially in the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia. Processors who process and market 3 million pounds or less per month, excluding those fluid milk products delivered to the residence of a consumer, are exempt from assessments. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight of the board.

The board is authorized by the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990, as amended. The Secretary selected the appointees from nominations submitted by eligible processor organizations.

Source: USDA