2008 COMMITTEES EMPIRE STATE POTATO GROWERS INC.

The following is a quick rundown of the basic responsibilities of committee members. It is by no means “official or inclusive,” but merely meant to be a point of reference. Committee members who attend meetings on behalf of the ESPG should submit their expenses to the executive secretary WITH a written report upon return for executive secretary to use for potato newsletter. Also, committee members should plan to attend directors meetings as necessary to provide updates AND be prepared to give year end report at the Annual Meeting.

Executive/ Financial Committee: Members include officers & executive secretary. Responsible/ enpowered to make decisions concerning policy and finances of organization when necessary and appropriate due to time constraints or other factors. Ralph Child, John Matthews, John Meyer, Melanie Wickham

Empire Farm Day: Members include Show Manger, Executive Committee and members @ large. Attend meetings and serve as financial/ policy advisors to show manager. Melanie Wickham, Ralph Child, John Meyer, John Matthews, Joe Guilian, Karl Hofmann, Kevin Datthyn, Robert Martens.

Extension: Cornell Cooperative Extension liason - Don Halseth. Report to Board

Cornell Committee: Ad Hoc Group of growers available to talk and meet with Cornell to discuss issues facing the industry, Cornell potato program directions, and provide input and feedback as needed. Appointed as necessary. Report to Board

Veg Conference: Work with NYS Vegetable Growers Assn to put together potato program at the Veg Conf. John Matthews, Tim Martens, Melanie Wickham, Don Halseth-Cornell

By-Laws Committee: Bring issues/ do research concerning by-laws to Board as necessary. Tom McCormick, Vincent Phelps.

R & D Advisory Committee: Review annual submissions and allocate monies to research projects as administered by the ESPG. Ron Edgley, Karl Hofmann, George Wulforst, James McCormick, Gary Mahany

National Potato Council: Attend national meetings, report back to board on issues, serve as NY representative on National level. Ralph Child, Tom McCormick, John Williams.

National Potato Promotion Board: Attend national meetings, report back to board on issues, serve as NY representative on National level. Gary Mahany (elected to second, 3-year term, Feb. 06)

Empire State Council of Ag Organizations: Attend meetings, report on issues to Board/ membership.

Marketing & Promotion Fund: Review submissions and allocate monies to marketing/promotion projects. Ralph Child, John Matthews, Karl Hofmann, Tim Martens, John Williams.

Trade: Attend national meetings, report back to board on issues, serve as NY representative on National level. Martin Sidor, Nick Phelps

Nominating: Facilitate nominations of directors & officers. Report to Board. George Wulforst, Karl Hofmann.

Scholarship: Review submissions and award scholarship monies. Report to Board. John Meyer, Andrew Pryputniewicz, Vince Phelps

Insurance: Review current potato crop insurance program and make recommendations for improvement to RMA. Tim Martens, John Meyer, Joe Guilian