Zmitko-Somers appointed to USDA Cherry Industry Administration Board

Jamie Zmitko-Somers, Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) employee and Saginaw County resident, has been appointed by the United States Department of Agriculture to serve a three-year term on the Cherry Industry Administration Board (CIAB), announced MDA Director Don Koivisto.

This appointment assures that Jamie will share her knowledge on international trade and emerging export markets with the national cherry industry, Koivisto said. Jamie is an asset to both MDA and the CIAB because of her knowledge and hands-on marketing experience.

The Cherry Industry Administrative Board supports the national red tart cherry industry.  The board regulates the handling of tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.  

An employee of MDA since 1997, Zmitko-Somers serves as the International Marketing Program Manager in the Agriculture Development Division, which works to strengthen profitability for family farms and enhance opportunities for the states food and agriculture industry. She holds a bachelors degree from the Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business.

Farming is second nature to Jamie, who was raised on her familys cash crop farm in Shiawassee County. Jamie and her husband, Don, live on their cash crop farm near Henderson in Saginaw County.

For more information on the CIAB, visit www.cherryboard.org. For more information on MDA and its efforts to develop international and domestic markets, visit www.mdainternational.com

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Editor's Note: Photo available upon request.

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