WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2007--Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of 154 pork producers and 8 importers to the 2007 National Pork Producers Delegate Body. All appointees will serve a 1-year term. The delegates were selected from nominees submitted by state pork producer association and importer groups.

Appointed members representing pork producers by state are:

Alabama: Marion S. Morris, Jon A. Petree

Alaska: Richard C. Worrell

Arizona: Larry W. Beck, Michael D. Terrill

Arkansas: Clay S. Antley, Joe B. Wolfe

California: Robert E. Bortz, Steven D. Steele

Colorado: John R. Long, Brett B. Rutledge

Delaware: John E. McGee II, John B. Tigner, Jr.

Florida: Tommy R. Crawford, James W. Wood

Georgia: Dania S. DeVane, Glen H. Waters,

Hawaii: Wayne I. Shimokawa, Evelyn A. Telles

Idaho: Bradley K. Thornton, Lisa C. Thornton,

Illinois: Gary L. Asay, Phillip J. Borgic, Arthur W. Lehmann, Brent E. Scholl, Darrell D. Stitzel, Brian D. Sturtevant

Indiana: C. Randall Curless, David W. Lambert, Michael S. Lewis, Monty E. Moss, Gordon Smiley

Iowa: Stephen J. Burgmeier, Rodney G. Dykstra, Shaun M. Greiner, Chad W. Grouwinkel, Howard T. Hill, Chad R. Keppy, Steven L. Kerns, Gregory R. Lear, Curtis D. Meier, David E. Moody, Dale G. Reicks, Marvin J. Rietema, Max S. Schmidt, Norman R. Schmitt, Leon C. Sheets, Derrick D. Sleezer, Scott W. Tapper, Bill J. Tentinger, Donald H. Toale, Joel D. Van Gilst, Eugene D. Ver Steeg, John E. Vossberg, John P. Weber, Todd A.Wiley

Kansas: Christopher C. Cox, Steven J. Eichman, Alan J. Haverkamp, Ron F. Suther,

Kentucky: Maurice W. Heard, John S. Medley, Jr.

Louisiana: Robert L. Fletcher, Jr., Harvey H. Patton III

Maine: Robert W. Cattan, Charlie F. Kenney, Jr.

Maryland: Charles T. Linthicum, Jr., Patrick A. Rodgers

Massachusettes: Vickie J. Barnum, Lisa D. Colby

Michigan: Patrick M. Hunter, Daniel J. Pung, Edward L. Reed

Minnesota: Rachel M. Anthony, Samuel K. Baidoo, Duane H. Bakke, Kimberly A. Balfe, Lynn J. Becker, William L. Crawford, Gregory M. Fox, Craig A. Mensink, Burt A. Norell, Karen J. Richter, Bradley T. Stevermer, Douglas K. Wenner

Mississippi: Terry W. Emerson, James A. Hogue

Missouri: James E. Fisher, Everett L. Forkner, Michael E. Henke, William D. Kessler, John W. Swier

Montana: Donald L. Herzog, John W. Rauser

Nebraska: Dennis L. Beethe, William H. Luckey, Terrance D. O'Neel, Todd T. Stuthman, Alden H. Zuhlke

Nevada: Becky A. Louk, David S. Louk

New Hampshire: Doreen R. Gitschier, Jennifer Lamper

New Mexico: Brent M. Van Dyke

New York: Sandra L. Hartman, Bryan L. Schillawski

North Carolina: Curtis G. Barwick, Donald P. Butler, Henry E. Faison, Robert C. Hunt, Zack McCullen III, Roland H. Mohesky, Henry E. Moore III, Lloyd B. Outlaw III, George H. Pettus, Gregory A. Sconyers, Miles T. See, Rupert G. Warren, Kraig A. Westerbeek

North Dakota: Daryl H. Dukart, Kristi R. Freeberg,

Ohio: Jim L. Albaugh, Anthony J. Bornhorst, Greg R. Kaffenbarger, Carl J. Link

Oklahoma: Ronald L. Dill, Chuck E. Luthi, David E. Richardson, Clifford G. Treadway

Oregon: Nannette Bierma, Lee E. Letsch

Pennsylvania: Kurtis P. Good, Oscar J. Manbeck, Thomas A. Sollenberger

South Carolina: Larry B. DeHart, Lisa T. Ruff

South Dakota: Paul D. Brandt, Steven R. Rommereim, William T. Walter

Tennessee: Dennis A. Holder, Jamey C. Tosh,

Texas: Kenneth S. Cantrell, Stanley M. Young

Utah: Jon R. Arnold, Don O. Noyes, Linda L. Noyes,

Virginia: Donald H. Horsley, William R. Wooding, Jr.

Washington: Shirley A. DeVore, Gerald E. Mitchell

Wisconsin: Deborah L. Gay, Lynn E. Harrison

Wyoming: Kristine Parish, Linda K. Van Pelt

Importers appointed to the Delegate Body are: David E. Biltchik, Karsten Bruun, Robert S. Gellert, Stig H. Kjaeroe, James R. Marsh, Ole Nielsen, Rene M. Olsen, and Albert F. Pish.

Established under the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985, the Delegate Body and the National Pork Board have implemented a national program designed to improve the pork industry's position in the marketplace.

The program is funded by an assessment currently set at 0.40 percent of the market value of all hogs sold in the United States. An equivalent amount on imported hogs, pork, and pork products is also collected.

Delegates meet annually to recommend the rate of assessment, determine the percentage of assessments that state associations will receive and nominate producers and importers to the 15-member National Pork Board. The Delegate Body will be seated during the March 1-3 National Pork Industry Forum in Anaheim, California.

Representation on the Delegate Body is based on annual net assessments collected on sales of domestic hogs within individual states, with a minimum of two producers from each state. States have the option of not submitting nominees. Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont did not submit any nominees. Alaska and New Mexico each submitted a single nomination and Massachusetts submitted two.