Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Trade Representative Michael Froman today announced the appointment of 19 additional members to six agricultural trade advisory committees.

Congress established the advisory committee system in 1974 to ensure U.S. agricultural trade policy objectives reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. The Agriculture Department and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative jointly manage the committees.

Appointments toAGRICULTURAL POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (APAC)

• Chad Blindauer — Blindauer Farms, Mitchell, S.D.

AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEESTrade in Animals and Animal Products

• Shelly McKee — USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, Stone Mountain, Ga.
• David Carter — National Bison Association, Westminster, Colo.
• Stephen Sothmann — U.S. Hides, Skins and Leather Association, Washington, D.C.

Trade in Fruits and Vegetables

• William Braswell — Florida Blueberry Growers, Bartow, Fla.
• Brett Erickson — Texas International Produce Association, Mission, Tex.
• Jake Lewin — CCOF Certification Services, LLC, Santa Cruz, Calif.
• Mathew M. McInerney — Western Growers Association, Irvine, Calif.
• Melissa Poole — Roll Global, Los Angeles
• Mark Powers — Northwest Horticultural Council, Yakima, Wash.
• Daniel Ritchey — Riverfront Packing Company, Vero Beach, Fla.

Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds

• Carlton Bridgeforth — Bridgeforth International Association, Tanner, Ala.
• Paul B. Green — North American Millers Association, Washington, D.C.
• Paul E. Shubeck — Poet Industries, Sioux Falls, S.D.
• Gina Tumbarello — American Feed Industry Association, Arlington, Va.

Trade in Processed Foods

• Audrae Erickson — Mead Johnson Nutrition, Glenview, Ill.
• Melissa Peabody — The Starbucks Coffee Company, Seattle, Wash.
• Maia Jack — American Frozen Foods Institute, McLean, Va.

Trade in Sweeteners

• Cassandra Kuball — Corn Refiners Association, Washington, D.C.