February 10, 2004
February 10, 2004
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following two appointments to the Agriculture Preservation Fund Board.
Thomas O’Brien of Ann Arbor, attorney for O'Brien & O'Brien and owner of a sesquicentennial farm in Northfield Township. Mr. O’Brien is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring August 29, 2007. He succeeds Sharon Steffens whose term has expired.
Helen Taylor of Okemos, director of the Michigan Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. Ms. Taylor is appointed to represent conservation interests for a term expiring August 29, 2007. She succeeds James Goodheart whose term has expired.
Public Act 262 of 2000 calls for the board to provide grants to eligible local units of government for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements to preserve farmland. It also calls for the board to provide funds for the state Purchase of Development Rights Program if a fund balance of greater than $5 million remains after making grants to local units of government and providing for administrative costs.
The above appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
