WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2014 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed three members and three alternates to serve on the National Honey Board. They will serve 3-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2015, and ending on Dec. 31, 2017.
The producer member appointed is Mark A. Jensen of Power, Mont., incumbent, and the producer alternate member is Randy Verhoek of Baldwin, N.D.
The first handler member appointed is Eric S. Wenger of Peabody, Kan., and the first handler alternate member is Michelle Poulk of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Additionally, the appointed importer handler member is Mathias Leitner of Gilbert, Ariz., incumbent, and first handler alternate member is Jeffrey Z. Dong of Eastvale, Calif.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight of the Board in accordance with the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 and the Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order. Under the Order, the program is financed by an assessment of $0.01 per pound on first handlers and importers of 250,000 pounds or more of honey or honey products annually. The program is administered by board members who are selected by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
