The USDA has announced the appointment of three members to serve on the Mushroom Council as well as 10 members to serve on the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
Mushroom Council
For the Mushroom Council, two appointees will serve three-year terms from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025; and one appointee will serve a one-year term beginning immediately and expiring on December 31, 2023.
Members appointed are:
- Region 1: Michael Stephan, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Region 2: Keith M. Silfee, Robesonia, Pennsylvania
- Region 4: Kim Marks, Ontario, Canada
The nine-member council is comprised of eight domestic growers and one importer. The members represent four regions: three domestic growers are from states other than California and Pennsylvania (Region 1), four domestic growers are from Pennsylvania (Region 2), one domestic grower is from California (Region 3), and one importer who represents all importers (Region 4). Council members are nominated by their peers and are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Watermelon Promotion Board
Members appointed to the Watermelon Promotion Board are from Districts 3, 4 and 5. Appointees from District 4 and 5 will serve three-year terms beginning immediately to Dec. 31, 2025, and appointees from District 3 and Importer will serve two-year terms beginning immediately to Dec. 31, 2024.
Members appointed are:
- District 4 Producer: Jake Horrall, Oaktown, Indiana
- District 4 Producer: Blake Mouzin, Vincennes, Indiana
- District 4 Handler: Renee Goodwin, Keenes, Illinois
- District 4 Handler: Rachel Syngo, Punta Gorda, Florida
- District 5 Producer: Jason Van Groningen, Manteca, California
- District 5 Producer: Camille L. Lombardo, Los Angeles, California
- District 5 Handler: Kelly Colin Partch, Woodland, California
- District 5 Handler: Chris Elsie, Scottsdale, Arizona
- District 3 Handler: Matt Moore, Dalhart, Texas
- Importer: Michael LeMieux, Longwood, Florida
The 30-member board is comprised of 10 producers, 10 handlers, 9 importers and 1 public member. The producer and handler members are from five districts that divide the production of watermelons into equal production volume, and each district is represented on the Board by two producers and two handlers. For district representatives, nomination conventions are held in each of the respective districts. Nominations for importers are made by ballot or other means.