USDA Appoints American Lamb Board Members

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Thursday announced four appointments to the 2010 Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Board. Each appointee will serve three-year terms beginning immediately.

"These appointees represent a cross section of the lamb industry, and I am confident that the lamb industry will be well served by them," said Vilsack.

The newly appointed board members are Betty H. Sampsel, Stanford, Mont., and Alicia Dredge, Rupert, Idaho, representing producers; Daniel J. Lippert, Blomkest, Minn., representing feeders; and W. Reed Anderson, Brownsville, Ore., representing first handlers. The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) nominated Sampsel for the appointment.

The 13-member board is composed of six producers, three feeders, one seedstock producer and three first handlers. The secretary of agriculture appoints approximately one-third of all board members each year.

"We are pleased that the secretary appointed producer nominations supported by the ASI," said Glen Fisher, ASI president.