The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced today that 11 nominees are certified eligible for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) 2014 Board of Directors election.

Here are the certified candidates, listed in alphabetical order by district:
– Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn Counties – Ben Peterson of Grantsburg
– Barron and Polk Counties – Audrey Kusilek of Rice Lake
– Clark County – David Bangart of Greenwood – Richard Price of Stanley
– Brown, Door and Kewaunee Counties – John Pagel of Kewaunee
– Buffalo, Pierce and Pepin Counties – Lanette Harsdorf of Beldenville
– Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Marquette Counties – Dave Schmitz of Fond du Lac
– Columbia and Dodge Counties – Becky Levzow of Rio
– Grant County – Ann Kieler of Platteville – Mary Wackershauser of Lancaster
– Green, Rock and Walworth Counties – Stacy Eberle of Monroe

DATCP confirmed that each candidate is an active dairy producer who sells milk into commercial channels and lives in the district up for election. In addition, DATCP certified each candidate’s nomination form, which included five signatures from active dairy producers within the district and a notarized “Affidavit of Eligibility” requirement.

Nominations were first filed by February 21, however, District 4 failed to receive any nominations during the allotted time period. DATCP then extended the deadline for that district until March 14. One nomination was received during the extension.

To vote, DATCP will distribute mail-in ballots in early April to dairy producers who live within the nine affected districts. Producers who do not receive a ballot by April 14 should call Noel Favia at (608) 224-5140. Elections will be held through April 26, 2014, with results announced later in May. For more election information, visit www.wmmb.com/elections.