Farm Bureau's Hewitt named to USDA grain inspection committee

» May 16, 2006 «

A representative of the California Farm Bureau Federation has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture advisory committee that advises the USDA on the establishment of programs and services under the U.S. Grain Services Act.

John Hewitt, an associate counsel with the Farm Bureau, was appointed to a three-year term on the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns appointed Hewitt as one of six new members of the 15-member committee.

The committee includes representatives of all facets of the grain business: farmers, processors, merchandisers, handlers, exporters, consumers, inspectors and scientists. The USDA says recommendations from the committee help its grain inspection service "better meet the needs of its customers, who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace."

"As the only Californian on the committee, John will bring a unique and much-needed perspective to its work," California Farm Bureau President Doug Mosebar said. "California farmers plant more than 1 million acres of grain a year, and our state's livestock and poultry farms purchase grain from throughout the nation to feed farm animals."

Rice and wheat are the top grain crops grown in California. The state's farmers also grow corn, barley, sorghum, oats, rye and other grains with an overall, on-farm value of more than $570 million in 2005.

Hewitt joined the California Farm Bureau staff in 2001 and works in the organization's Natural Resources/Environmental Division. He and his family have a family farm in Pleasant Grove, where he serves as president of the Pleasant Grove Joint Union School District board.

The California Farm Bureau Federation, the state's largest farm organization, works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 88,000 members.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.