McDonald named assistant Tennessee ag commissioner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson announced the appointment of Carol Coley McDonald as assistant commissioner for Policy and Legislation.

As assistant commissioner, she serves as the department’s principal liaison to the Tennessee General Assembly and will direct policy and program development in areas ranging from food safety, pesticides and consumer protection to forestry and agricultural development.

McDonald was an extension agent in Smith County where she had served since 2005 as the 4-H program coordinator for events, sponsorships and volunteers. She has also worked in education and has extensive experience in agribusiness as a former owner and partner of Catesa Farms in Riddleton.

She has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. McDonald grew up on a family farm, currently operated by her brothers, in Macon County where they have raised purebred Hereford cattle for 40 years.

Conservation Farm Family nominations sought

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nominations are being accepted for the 2011 Conservation Farm Family Awards, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Soil and Water Resources. The awards program is cosponsored by Ohio Farmer magazine and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
Individual farmers, partnerships or family farm corporations are eligible, provided a substantial portion of their income is derived from farming. Judging is based on the nominee’s use of new and traditional conservation techniques; comprehensive management; individual initiative in applying conservation measures; and the nominee’s willingness to share conservation information, experiences and philosophy with others.

Five area finalists will be chosen from around the state. Nomination forms can be obtained from your local county soil and water conservation districts or by visiting the division’s website at www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/21659/ Default.aspx

They must be returned by May 1 to Ohio Farmer, 117 W. Main St., Suite 202, Lancaster, OH 43130.

Martin in Farm Managers/ Appraisers Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Porter J. Martin, president of Porter Martin Farmland and Cattle Co., based in Shabbona, Ill., was presented the Hall of Fame Award from the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ISPFMRA) at the organization’s annual meeting.

The award recognizes an ISPFMRA member for individual accomplishments that have advanced farm management, rural appraisal or agricultural consulting. Martin is known internationally as the founder of Martin, Goodrich and Associates, now Martin, Goodrich & Waddell, Inc. He recently ‘retired’ from the organization to start his current endeavor.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and a master’s in extension education, from the University of Illinois. He also holds an agricultural banking degree from Iowa State University.

Prior to private business, he was a high school agriculture teacher for several years, then served on the staff at the UoI as a county extension advisor. He also spent several years as a farm loan officer and farm manager and rural appraiser.

UT ag economist president of national organization

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — An agricultural economist with the University of Tennessee extension will lead a national organization that focuses on community development, including enhancing the country’s rural economies and creating jobs.

Dr. Michael Wilcox was recently named president-elect of the National Assoc. of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP). He assumed his new role last month and will take over as president in 2012.

NACDEP is dedicated to improving the visibility, coordination, professional status and resource base of community and economic development for extension programs and professionals nationwide. It has about 300 members, and Wilcox has been part of the group since he first joined UT in 2006.
Wilcox is an assistant professor in Agricultural and Resource Economics. He holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and degrees from Auburn and Cornell universities.

Two reappointed to Michigan Soybean Checkoff Board

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — Recently, George Zmitko and Ben Chaffin were reappointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee Soybean checkoff board. Zmitko, farm owner/operator at Zmitko Farms, LLC in Owosso, has farmed since 1971. His operation includes more than 7,500 acres of soybeans, wheat, corn, oats, barley, alfalfa and June clover seed.

Chaffin, from Ithaca, worked on Chaffin Farms since 1995 and has been owner since 2003. He received his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management in 2003 from Michigan State University and his master’s in ag economics in 2006. In addition to soybeans, his nearly 2,000 acres of farmland are the production site for raising sugar beets, corn, corn silage, edible beans, organic corn, organic string beans and peas.