The USDA has announced the appointments of nine members and 10 alternate members to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, beginning Jan. 1.
Eighteen appointees will serve three-year terms ending on Dec. 31, 2027, and one alternate will serve a one-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025, according to a news release.
The industry-funded U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council supports the marketing and promotion of highbush blueberries. It is composed of 21 members comprising 12 producers, four importers, four exporters and one public member. Members and alternatives can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms.
The newly appointed members are:
- Nathan Sakuma of Washington (Western Region member).
- Anne Krahmer-Steinkamp of Oregon (Western Region alternate).
- Katelyn Craig of Michigan (Midwest Region member).
- Kara Lynn-Hartmann Laraway of Michigan (Midwest Region alternate).
- Brandon J. Raso of New Jersey (Northeast Region member).
- Alec Arena of New Jersey (Northeast Region alternate).
- Jody A. McPherson of North Carolina (Southern Region member).
- Dan J. Register of Georgia (Southern Region alternate).
- William O. Cline of North Carolina (public member).
- Patricio R. Munoz of Florida (public alternate).
- Gonzalo de Elizalde of California (importer member).
- Bonnie Lundblad of New Jersey (importer alternate).
- Juan Pablo Vogt of Chile (exporter member).
- Ruy Barbosa of Chile (exporter alternate).
- Daniel J. Bustamante of Peru (exporter member).
- José Antonio Castro of Peru (exporter alternate).
- Miguel Méndez of Mexico (exporter member).
- Raul Gonzalez Chavez of Mexico (exporter alternate).
The alternate member appointed to fill the vacancy with a one-year term is Brandon Wade of Georgia, according to the release.
