Mar 4, 2011

Mich. Governor appoints members to state cherry committee

Governor Rick Snyder today announced appointments to the Michigan Cherry Committee.

“These individuals bring tremendous experience and work ethic as we seek to develop innovative ideas in our agriculture industry to make Michigan a better and stronger state,” said Snyder.

For District 1, tart cherry grower John Bull and sweet cherry grower Paul Hubbell are reappointed. For District 2, tart cherry grower Andrew Riley is appointed. For District 3, tart cherry grower Kurt Brian Dowd is reappointed.

Bull, of Arcadia, is the owner of Arcadian Orchards, Inc. and has been farming for nearly 40 years. He has held positions with the Manistee County Farm Bureau and the Soil District Board of Directors, where he was named “Soil Conservation Man of the Year.”

Hubbell, of Williamsburg, is co-owner of Orchard View Farms and has been farming for more than 35 years. He is the president of the Grand Traverse Fruit Council and a trustee of Whitewater Township.

Riley, of Mears, is a member of Riley Orchards. He started farming in 2003 upon earning an associate degree in applied science. Riley will replace Michael VanAgtmael.

Dowd, of Hartford, is a farm manager for Dowd Orchards Inc. and is an insurance agent with Farm Bureau Insurance. He has been farming for more than 17 years and previously served on the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board.

Appointees serve three-year terms, expiring on Feb. 1, 2014, and are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.