Jan 6, 2025

USDA names U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council board members

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of nine members and 10 alternate members to serve on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council beginning Jan 1.

USDA announced 18 appointees will serve three-year terms ending in 2027, and one alternate will serve a one-year term .

The newly appointed members are:

• Nathan Sakuma, Wash. (Western Region Member)
• Anne Krahmer-Steinkamp, Ore. (Western Region Alternate)
• Katelyn Craig, Mich. (Midwest Region Member)
• Kara Lynn-Hartmann Laraway, Mich. (Midwest Region Alternate)
• Brandon J. Raso, N.J. (Northeast Region Member)
• Alec Arena, N.J. (Northeast Alternate)
• Jody A. McPherson, N.C. (Southern Region Member)
• Dan J. Register, Ga. (Southern Alternate)
• William O. Cline, N.C. (Public Member)
• Dr. Patricio R. Munoz, Fla. (Public Alternate)
• Gonzalo de Elizalde, Calif. (Importer Member)
• Bonnie Lundblad, N.J. (Importer Alternate)
• Juan Pablo Vogt, Chile (Exporter Member)
• Ruy Barbosa, Chile (Exporter Alternate)
• Daniel J. Bustamante, Peru (Exporter Member)
• José Antonio Castro, Peru (Exporter Alternate)
• Miguel Méndez, Mexico (Exporter Member)
• Raul Gonzalez Chavez, Mexico (Exporter Alternate)

The alternate member appointed to fill the vacancy with a one-year term is:

• Brandon Wade, Ga. (Alternate Member)

The 21-member council is composed of 12 producers, four importers, four exporters, and one public member with each member seat having a corresponding alternate seat. Members and alternates can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms.

More information about the council is available on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)  U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council webpage.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.