WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of four members and four alternates to serve on the National Peanut Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms, from Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2021.

Appointed are:

Georgia: Andy Bell (Member) and Donald G. Chase (Alternate)

South Carolina: Bud Bowers (Member) and Harry Wimberly (Alternate)

Texas: Peter Froese Jr. (Member) and Jeff Roper (Alternate)

At-Large: Micah Barham (Member) and Clay Garrett Deane (Alternate)

“Peanuts are an important part of the farm economy across the southern United States and they can be found, in one form or another, in nearly every American home,” said Perdue. “From improving the crop for America’s 7,000 peanut growing families, to funding research that’s helping reduce the risk of young children developing peanut allergies, the National Peanut Board has a positive impact on our nation.”

The board is composed of 12 producer members and their alternates. Eleven members and alternates are from the primary peanut producing states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. An at-large member and alternate represent the minor peanut producing states.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

More information about the National Peanut Board, including a roster of members, is available on AMS’ National Peanut Board webpage and at the National Peanut Board website.

–USDA

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