February 12, 2003
February 12, 2003
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of James E. Byrum to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture. The commission is a bipartisan, five-member gubernatorially-appointed board that provides program oversight and executive direction for the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
?Jim is a great addition to the Agriculture Commission,? said Governor Granholm. ?His previous experience in industry and government makes him especially qualified to fill this post.?
Byrum is president and CEO of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, whose 600 members represent diverse sectors of the agriculture industry. Previously he was state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Services Agency. He holds a bachelor?s degree in public affairs management from Michigan State University.
Byrum, 49, of Onongada, fills a vacancy on the commission left by Jordan Tatter, who passed away unexpectedly in January. His term will expire on December 31, 2006.
The Agriculture Commission holds regular meetings to get feedback from the state?s food and agriculture industry. All meetings are open to the public and time is set aside on the agenda for public comment. For more information, including meeting dates and locations, minutes and agenda items, please visit www.michigan.gov/mda or contact the Commission Liaison at 517/241-0119, toll-free at 800/292-3939, or via e-mail at tarrantb@michigan.gov.
