|
For Immediate Release:
April 29, 2010 |
Contact: |
Ted Quaday
Communications Director
831-426-6606
ted@ofrf.org |
OFRF Elects New Board Members with Roots in Heartland
Selects Deirdre Birmingham as Sixth Board President
SANTA CRUZ, CA – An organic farmer and organizer, a dietitian and a veteran of the natural foods industry recently gained seats on the Organic Farming Research Foundation Board of Directors. The new board members are Mary Fund, Melinda Hemmelgarn, and Lee Valkenaar. All three have deep roots in the food and farm community, and all three hail from farm states in the Heartland.
Deirdre Birmingham The Board also elected organic fruit grower Deirdre Birmingham as OFRF’s sixth Board President. Birmingham operates Regan Creek Farm in Mineral Point, Wisconsin where she is developing an organic apple orchard and vintage cider business. Birmingham joined the OFRF Board in 2003, and says she’s looking forward to advancing organic agriculture as the leader of a strong and committed organization.
““I am excited to take the position and determined to help lead the board and staff as we create change within OFRF and within the organic community,” said Birmingham, adding “I also want to welcome our three new board members. They are all from the country’s heartland. Their diverse experience and interests add depth that will serve us well in the months and years to come."
Birmingham replaces organic fruit grower Steve Ela as Board President. Ela will remain on the Board. With the additions, fourteen individuals now serve on the OFRF Board, and more than half are organic farmers.
Mary Fund Mary Fund is an organic farmer from Kansas and joined the Board in early 2010. Fund and her husband operate a 400-acre organic farm in Nemaha County. Fund also works with the Kansas Rural Center as a project manager.
Melinda Hemmelgarn Melinda Hemmelgarn is a dietitian and journalist in Missouri who conducts public education on food issues through her “Food Sleuth” radio interviews column and keynote speeches. Hemmelgarn is a former Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow, and now serves on the board of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service. She joined the OFRF Board in early 2010.
Lee Valkenaar Lee Valkenaar, from Texas, served 21 years with Whole Foods Market, most recently as Executive Vice President of Global Support. Valkenaar is currently co-chair on the Whole Planet Foundation Board of Directors. He joined the OFRF Board in 2009.
About the Organic Farming Research Foundation
Founded in 1990, the Organic Farming Research Foundation fosters the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF sponsors organic farming research and education projects, disseminates the results to organic farmers and ranchers and to producers interested in adopting organic production systems. It also educates the public and policymakers about organic farming issues. A majority of OFRF board members are working organic farmers. Learn more about OFRF’s
work at ofrf.org
|
