Release No. 120-09

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2009 – Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack today announced the appointment of one member to the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board.

Newly appointed to fill a vacancy lasting more than 18 months is Mary A. Hill, Jackson, Miss. (At-Large Public).

The term for this appointee begins July 1, 2009, and expires June 30, 2012. Ms. Hill will be seated at the board meeting July 16-18, 2009, along with the regular term appointees.

The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board is composed of 15 fluid milk processors from 15 geographic regions and five at-large members. At least three at-large members must be fluid milk processors and at least one must be from the general public. The board was established by the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 to develop and administer a coordinated program of advertising and promotion to increase the demand for fluid milk products.

The national fluid milk program is financed by a mandatory 20-cent per hundredweight assessment on all fluid milk processed and marketed commercially in consumer-type packages in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. Processors who commercially process and market 3 million pounds or less per month, excluding those fluid milk products delivered to the residence of a consumer, are exempt from assessments.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the operations of the board. It is USDA’s policy that membership on industry-governed boards and committees accurately reflect the diversity of individuals served by the program.