UT picks Dean of Ag Sciences and Natural Resources

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Dr. Caula A. Beyl has been named as dean of the University of Tennessee College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, beginning June 1.

Since January, Beyl has been serving as Interim Dean of Graduate Studies for Alabama A&M University. Prior to then, she was director of A&M’s Office of Institutional Planning, Research and Evaluation.

Beyl will be the first female dean of UT’s nearly century-old college of agriculture. She is among a handful of female leaders of such land-grant colleges across the nation. Her appointment recognizes a shift from traditionally male-dominated programs to studies that are attracting nearly equal numbers of male and female students.

As dean, Beyl will oversee the college’s academic programs, which serve approximately 840 undergraduate and 225 graduate students. A professor of horticulture, Beyl has received numerous awards and recognitions for her teaching and research. She has also served in editorial and review capacities for a number of scholarly publications.

Beyl holds a Ph.D. in stress physiology and a master’s in horticulture from Purdue University. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Florida Atlantic University.

Beyl said, “Throughout the years, the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has been well-known for its leadership and energetic faculty. I am thoroughly delighted to be welcomed into this outstanding family and to experience firsthand a true UT welcome.”

Boring receives Romanowski Award
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Phillip Boring of New Palestine, Ind., received the Roman R. Romanowski Award from the Mid-America Food Processors for his contributions and excellence in the Midwest tomato industry.

Boring accepted the award from Purdue University Dean of Agriculture Randy Woodson during a luncheon at the Indiana Horticultural Congress on Jan. 31. This award was established and is given every third year at the Indiana Raw Products Convention on behalf of Professor Roman Romanowski, who made significant contributions to the tomato processing industry in the Midwest during his tenure at Purdue.

The award covers all areas of academia, growers and industry. As the owner and operator of Boring Farms, Boring is known across the Midwest for innovation and excellence in the tomato processing industry. Boring graduated from Purdue in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in general agriculture. Through the years, he has been an active member in several organizations, including the Northwestern School Board, Carrollton United Methodist Church, Indiana Flying Farmers, Shelby County Co-op, Indiana Farm Policy Group and Grower Action Board. Boring has also been awarded the Indiana Master Farmer title.

Indiana Soybean Alliance elects new officers
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) recently named a new officer team at the March board of directors meeting in Indianapolis.

Posey County grain farmer Mark Seib was re-elected president of the ISA. Seib, of Poseyville, and the 2007 ISA directors are responsible for investing Indiana's soybean check-off funds and working with state and federal policymakers to promote policies that benefit Indiana's soybean farmers.

The board of directors also elected Doug Morrow of Marion, vice president; Joe Meyer of Williamsburg, secretary; and Scott Fritz of Winamac, treasurer. Board members elected to the ISA Executive Committee are: Mike Beard of Frankfort, Demand committee chairman; Roger Hadley II of Woodburn, Membership and Industry Relations committee chairman; and Mike Yoder of Middlebury, Supply committee chairman.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance was formed Oct. 1, 2006, through the merger of the Indiana Soybean Board, the state's soybean check-off organization, and the Indiana Soybean Growers Assoc., Indiana's soybean membership and policy organization.

Ohio Pork announces new officers

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio pork producers recently selected new officers to lead the Ohio Pork Producers Council (OPPC) in the coming year.

Ray Noecker of Pickaway County was named the new president for the Council. Noecker runs a wean-to-finish hog operation and 180 beef-cow herd. He is a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau, and he serves on the Farm Bill task force for the National Pork Producers Council.

Jim Albaugh of Miami County will serve as the president-elect. He has a small seedstock and show pig operation. Albaugh serves as the treasurer of the Miami County Pork Producers, and he has represented OPPC on the Ohio Livestock Coalition Board of Directors.

The newly-elected vice president is Todd Stickley of Champaign County. Stickley is director of pork finishing and development for Kalmbaugh Feeds in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

He serves as chairman of the OPPC Legislative Committee and is active in promoting pork through presentations to community and civic groups. The new OPPC leadership team will begin their duties immediately. OPPC is a volunteer producers organization that works together to promote the pork industry.

Ag consultants select new leadership
ATLANTA, Ga. — The American Society of Agricultural Consultants recently named new leadership during the organization’s annual meeting in Atlanta.

Sam Bartee of Bartee Agrichemical Consultants, Inc. in Olathe, Kan., was named president. Elected as president-elect was Ken Hilton, president of Red Wing Software in Red Wing, Minn. Bill Zweigbaum was elected vice president/secretary. He is a vice president and business consultant with First Pioneer Farm Credit in Plattsburg, N.Y.

Taking over as CFO is Russell Morgan, who serves as president of Morgan & Associates Consulting Services in Paducah, Ky.
Robert Mehrle of Lambert, Miss., was elected to fill the immediate past president slot, which had become vacant with the resignation of Fred L. Hepler of the Westchester Group, Inc. in Champaign, Ill.

Flanagan named Kentucky Heritage director
HARRODSBURG, Ky. — Virginia Flanagan of Taylor County will serve as the new executive director of the Kentucky Agriculture Heritage Center Board.

The Heritage Center works to create an environment for reflecting on the past, showcasing the present and fostering the advancement of Kentucky agriculture.

Flanagan comes to the Heritage Center with a background in museum and pro-ject development experience.

Previously, she served as director for the Campbellsville University Techno-logy Training Center, and she has also served as the director for the Kentucky History Center.

Flanagan lives on a farm in central Kentucky with her husband Dan.

“I don’t think we could find a better person anywhere that could take command of the project at the juncture,” said Bruce Harper, the outgoing executive director. “I’m confident we are in good hands for the future with this project.”

Coon elected to National 4-H Council
CHEVY CHASE, Md. — Thomas Coon, director of Michigan State University Extension and professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (FW), has been elected to serve on the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees.

“With more than 25 years of university-level teaching and administrative leadership, Dr. Coon will provide significant insight to the board’s work to advance the 4-H Youth Development movement,” said Anthony Tansimore, chairman of the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees.

As director of Extension, Coon leads an organization of more than 1,200 staff and faculty members who provide research-based educational programs designed to address community, family and business needs across Michigan.