Governor assembles Ag task force

Governor Vilsack is assembling a special task force to chart proposals fornew federal ag policies. The task force will be co-chaired by Iowa StateUnivesity economist Neil Harl and State Ag Secretary Patty Judge.The task force is made up of farmers, ag economists, agri-business leaders,and representatives of farm groups and other organizations, like the NationalCatholic Rural Life Conference, which advocate for farmers.Back in December and January, Secretary Judge led a separate panel whichdiscussed the problems pork producers faced. Judge says the issues remainthe same.Here is a list of the other members of the panel:Dr. David Andrews, Des Moines, executive director of the National CatholicRural Life Conference.John Blundall, Spirit Lake, interim director of Seasons Center for CommunityMental Health.Craig Cox, Ankeny, executive directof of Soil & Water Conservation Societyof AmericaJohn Crabtree, Whiting, Center for Rural AffairsNancy Dittmer, Lacona, FarmerEmily Eide, Iowa Farm BureauJill Euken, Lewis, I-S-U Extension/FarmerBrent Halling, Perry, deputy ag secretary/FarmerDr. Robert Jolly, I.S.U. economistDave Lubben, Monticello, President of Practical Farmers of IowaJoe Lyon, Toledo, FarmerLeslie Miller, Knoxville, V.P./Ag lender at Iowa State Savings BankGeorge Naylor, Churdan, FarmerWayne Newton, Blairstown, Cattle FeederJeff Plagge, Waverly, First National BankJo Ellen Reynolds, Indianola, Reynolds Feed ServiceJohn Showalter, Hampton, hog farmerCraig Struve, Calumet, C-S-Asgrow ServiceJohn Whitaker, Stockport, Iowa Farmers Union presidentDavid Williams, Villisca, farmerWendell Williams, Milford, farmer-to-farmer Financial analystDr. Wendy Wintersteen, I-S-U Extension.