CNMI included in Minority Farmers Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON—Edward C. Deleon Guerrero of Saipan Farm and Garden on Saipan has been appointed a member of the Minority Farmers Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Deleon Guerrero joins 14 others on the committee, all of whom are appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The committee provides farmer, rancher, industry and public perspectives on USDA strategies, policies, and programs that impact minority farmers and ranchers.

The committee held its first public meeting on Sept. 22-24, 2015, in Savannah, Ga., to consider a number of issues including the department’s outreach and assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Grant Program (also known as the 2501 Program). Committee members serve two-year appointments expiring in June 2017.

Besides Deleon Guerrero, other committee members are Alfonzo Abeyta of A Quarter Circle Lazy 5 Ranch, Antonito, CO; Terry A. Cannon of The Piney Woods School, Braxton, MS; Jennie Crittendon of FSA County Office Committee, Jackson, MI; Claud D. Evans of Okfuskee County Veterinary Clinic, Okemah, OK; Paula Garcia (chair) of New Mexico Acequia Association, Mora, NM; Dewayne L. Goldmon of Monsanto/National Black Growers Council, Pine Bluff, AR; William R. Miller, Jr. of Ohio Farmers Union, Oxford, OH; Igalious “Ike” Mills of Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers, Port Arthur, TX; Frederick Newhouse of Newhouse Land and Cattle, Houston, TX; Harvey Reed of Louisiana Association of Cooperatives, Gretna, LA; Renard F. Turner of Virginia State University, Gordonsville, VA; Randall S. Ware (vice chair) Indian Country Agriculture and Resource Development Corp., Fort Cobb, OK; Charles Linwood Whitaker of Whitaker Small Farm Group, Raleigh, NC; and John Zippert of Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Eutaw, AL

MFAC is the public advisory arm of the 2501 Program administered by USDA’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach. Established by the 2008 Farm Bill, OAO works across all USDA agencies to improve the viability and profitability of small and beginning farmers and ranchers; increase access to USDA programs for historically underserved communities; grow agricultural opportunities for farm workers; and close the professional achievement gap by expanding opportunities for diverse, talented young people working in the American agricultural sector. (USDA)