With snow flying earlier in the day today not a lot of people were likely thinking about blueberries, but they were on the mind of Governor Gretchen Whitmer as she announced a number of new appoints and re-appointments to various Michigan Boards and Commissions including the Michigan Blueberry Commission.
The Governor today announced the following appointments to the Michigan Blueberry Commission:
- Robert C. Bodtke, of South Haven who is the owner and operator of Cornerstone Ag Enterprises. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Cornerstone University. Mr. Bodtke is appointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencing January 1, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022. He succeeds Steven Hunt whose term expires December 31, 2019.
- Creela O. Hamlin, of South Haven who is the owner of Lake Michigan Berry, LLC and the southwest Michigan representative and commodity development associate for Peterson Farms, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from Grand Valley State University. Mrs. Hamlin is reappointed to represent at-large growers for a term commencing January 1, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022.
- Carly Jo Parsley, of Bloomingdale who is a partner with Brookside Farms, LLC. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing from Cornerstone University. Mrs. Parsley is appointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencing January 1, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022. She succeeds James Sumners whose term expires December 31, 2019.
The Michigan Blueberry Commission is housed within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and was created through the farmer-initiated process outlined in the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act. The Commission was created with the goal of improving the economic position and competitiveness of the Michigan blueberry industry by supporting research, education, and promotion program.
The Governor’s appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
