## ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.43125in" height="1.351388888888889in"}

## Release No. 0118.03

## Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623

## Mary Cressel (202) 690-0547

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# **USDA APPOINTS AGRICULTURAL AIR QUALITY TASK FORCE MEMBERS**

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2003---Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today
announced the members of the recently re-established Agricultural Air
Quality Task Force for 2003-2004. The task force is chaired by the Chief
of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and made up of USDA
employees, industry representatives and other experts in the fields of
agriculture and air quality.

"Conservation of our natural resources, including air quality, is
important to our farmers and ranchers," Veneman said. "I am pleased
these individuals have agreed to serve on this task force."

The Agricultural Air Quality Task Force charter is renewed every two
years to address agricultural air quality issues.

The task force will serve as an advisory committee and will operate
under the terms of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The role of the
task force is to advise the Secretary on issues related to agricultural
air quality, including strengthening and coordinating USDA air quality
research efforts and identifying cost-effective ways in which the
agriculture industry can improve air quality.

Representatives from USDA's Forest Service, Agricultural Research
Service and Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
also will participate on the task force.

The first meeting of this task force will be May 20-21, 2003, in
Washington, D.C. Additional information is available on the Web at
<http://fargo.nserl.purdue.edu/faca> or by contacting Beth Sauerhaft,
NRCS designated federal official (DFO), at 202-720-8578 or e-mail
<beth.sauerhaft@usda.gov>. Additional information on the 2002 Farm Bill
can be found at [www.usda.gov/farmbill](http://www.usda.gov/farmbill).

**2003-2004 USDA AGRICULTURAL AIR QUALITY TASK FORCE**

**[Alabama]{.underline}**

Tommy L. Coleman, Alabama A&M University

**[Arizona]{.underline}**

Kevin G. Rogers, Producer

-more-

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**[California]{.underline}**

Mark P. Boese, San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District

Manuel F. Cunha, Jr., Nisei Farmers League

Robert G. Flocchini, University of California-Davis

Roger Isom, California Cotton Ginners & Growers

**[Hawaii]{.underline}**

Stephanie A. Whalen, Hawaii Agricultural Research Center

**[Idaho]{.underline}**

Dave Roper, Producer

Dar Olberding, Idaho Grain Producers

**[Illinois]{.underline}**

James K. Trotter, Producer

**[Indiana]{.underline}**

Robert N. Jackman, Veterinarian, State Senator

Rita Sharma, Producer

**[Maryland]{.underline}**

Phillip J. Wakelyn, National Cotton Council of America

**[New York]{.underline}**

Douglas Shelmidine, Producer

**[North Carolina]{.underline}**

Viney P. Aneja, North Carolina State University

Garth W. Boyd, Smithfield Foods, Inc

Joseph Rudek, Environmental Defense

Sally L. Shaver, US Environmental Protection Agency

**[Oklahoma]{.underline}**

Annette H. Sharp, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

**[Texas]{.underline}**

Robert V. Avant, Jr., Texas Food and Fibers Commission

Calvin B. Parnell, Jr., Texas A&M University

John M. Sweeten, Jr., Texas A&M University

**[Utah]{.underline}**

Nan Wankier Bunker, Producer

**[West Virginia]{.underline}**

Timothy Wade Maupin, Cargill Turkey Products

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