USDA Announces Appointments to the National Pork Producers Delegate Body

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of 145 delegates, including 142 producers and three importers, to the 2026 National Pork Producers Delegate Body.

Members appointed to serve one-year terms are:

• Alabama: Ben Parmer, Auburn; Jody Hodnett, Wadley
• Alaska: Patricia R. Worrell, Wasilla; Richard C. Worrell, Wasilla
• Arizona: Bruce Lawler, Lakeside; Brad Tate, Taylor
• Arkansas: Richard Gray, Dardanelle; Charles Metz, London
• California: Russell McKeith, Visalia; Jared Lamle, Denair
• Colorado: Julie McCaleb, Anton; Brett B. Rutledge, Yuma
• Delaware: John B. Tigner, Jr., Hartley
• Florida: Tommy R. Crawford, Lake Butler
• Georgia: Mark Clemmer, Broxton; Robin A. Clemmer, Broxton
• Idaho: Kirk Pugsley, Caldwell; Logan Thornton, Kuna
• Illinois: Chad Leman, Secor; Joshua D. Maschhoff, Nashville; Katie Brown, Morrisonville; Thomas Titus, Elkhart; Cheryl Walsh, Princeville; Emmalee Haege, Nashville
• Indiana: Todd Rodibaugh, Carmel; Micah Render, Rensselaer; Kyle Crowder, Attica; Mike Taylor, Uniondale; Nate Lenig, Greenfield; Tanner Smith, Hillsdale
• Iowa: Matt Gent, Wellman; Dean Frazer, Conrad; Linda Schroeder, Remsen; Chet Mogler, Larchwood; Erin Brenneman, Wellman; Aaron Cook, Winthrop; Tim Schmidt, Hawarden; Dr. Matt Anderson, Algona; Aaron Juergens, Carroll; Ben Schmaling, Prescott; Joel Van Gilst, Oskaloosa; Chelsea Theobald, Muscatine; Denise Wiley, Walker; Dennis Liljedahl, Essex; Mark Meirick, Protivin; Tom Paustian, Walcott; Dale Gerard Reicks, New Hampton; Ryan Pudenz, Ames; Greg Lear, Specer; Steve Kerns, Clearfield; Trent Thiele, Elma; Chris Bellcock, Norwalk; Rob Stout, Washington; Clark Wikner, McGregor; Haley Kerr, Burlington; Todd A. Wiley, Walker; Todd E. Wilson, LuVerne; Leon Sheets, Ionia; Dave Struthers, Collins; Jamie Horbach, Clive
• Kansas: Chad M. Groves, Overland Park; Scott J. Pfortmiller, Saint John; Michael Springer, Neodesha; Curt Haverkamp, Bern
• Louisiana: Brady Rutledge, Iowa; John Fontenot, Iowa
• Maine: Brittany Hemond, Minot; Michael Hemond, Minot
• Maryland: Jennifer Gannon, Centreville
• Michigan: Kevin C. Turner, Lansing; Joseph R. Dykhuis, Holland; Andy White, Jones
• Minnesota: Jay Fultz, Tracy; Maddie Hokanson, Cannon Falls; Michael L. Patterson, Kenyon; Brandon L. Schafer, Goodhue; Brian M. Schwartz, Sleepy Eye; Patrick L. VonTersch, Luverne; Michael J. Walker, Belview; Myrna J. Welter, Stewartville; Terry D. Wolters, Hendricks; Dale E. Stevermer, Easton
• Mississippi: Kramer Lynn Gary, Eupora; Donny Ray, Olive Branch
• Missouri: David Reedy, Moundville; Anthony Russo, Columbia; Jeff Sims, Marshall; Dean B. Rehmeier, Augusta
• Montana: William W. Kleinsasser, Augusta; David J. Hofer, Conrad
• Nebraska: Ryan Preister, Humphrey; Cody Lambrecht, Bennington; David May, Henderson; Josh Wendt, Leigh
• Nevada: Clayton Combs, Las Vegas; Sarah Stallard, Las Vegas
• New York: Jennifer Schwab, North Java; James Luckman, Fort Plain
• North Carolina: Jay Archer, Tarboro; Josh Coombs, Clinton; Chad Herring, Mount Olive; D.J. Jones, Greensboro; Wen Murphy, Wallace; Lorenda B. Overman, Goldsboro; Bill Prestage, Clinton; Samantha H. Raynor, Beulaville; Rod Smith, Pink Hill
• North Dakota: James P. Clay, Cando; Tony Heins, New Salem
• Ohio: Kevin Stuckey, Hicksville; Nathan Isler, Prospect; Brad Heimerl, Johnstown; Chris Allen, Warsaw
• Oklahoma: Hannah A. Trujillo, Wetumka; Roy Cansler, Chester; Tom Layne, Enid
• Oregon: Henry C. Bennett, Eagle Creek; Matthew C. Bennett, Eagle Creek
• Pennsylvania: Aaron Ott, McConnellsburg; Ben Barcovtch, Berwick; Nat Stas, Latrobe; Matt Brandt, Selinsgrove
• South Carolina: Mark McLeod, Pinewood; Curt Lee, Alcolu
• South Dakota: Jason R. Foster, Garden City; Trent Nathan Thompson, Hudson; Mark A. Fuoss, Armour; Levi M. Wollman, Ethan
• Tennessee: Pamela Bartholomew-Gardner, Decaturville; Dr. Seth Krantz, Jackson
• Texas: Peter Baumert, Dalhart; Bo Williams, Stratford
• Utah: Brittany R. Parkinson, Beaver; Todd N. Ballard, Benson
• Virginia: R.O. Britt, Williamsburg; Dylan Carden, Prince George
• Washington: Karrie L. Klingeman, Moses Lake; Paul Klingeman, Sr., Moses Lake
• Wisconsin: Christina J. Meylor, Darlington; Al Ries, Lomira
• Wyoming: Taylor Starks, Casper; Sabina D. Wyse, Powell
• Importers: Martin Sauer, Jersey City, N.J.; George Gekas, Philadelphia, Pa.; Roland Schinbeckler, Warren, N.J.

The delegate body meets annually to recommend the rate of assessment, determine the percentage of assessments that state associations will receive, and nominate producers and importers to the National Pork Board. The board and the delegate body were established under the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985. By law, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) oversees operations of the board and the delegate body. More information about the board is available on the AMS National Pork Boardwebpage and on the National Pork Board's website https://www.porkcheckoff.org/.

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 twenty-two boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.