June 22, 2016
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Mark Kies of Allen, and the reappointments of Greg Ackerman of Vasser, Benjamin Chaffin of Ithaca, Matthew Frostic of Applegate, James Howe of Frankenmuth, and Steven Kluemper of Williamston to the Farm Produce Insurance Authority.
Housed within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the 10-member board establishes, administers and promotes the Farm Produce Insurance Fund.
“These individuals have extensive backgrounds in this field, and I thank them for their willingness to serve,” Snyder said.
Appointment:
Kies has owned a family corn farm since 1974, as well as a Mycogen Seed Sales Dealership. Kies serves on the Hillsdale County Farm Bureau Board, on the Hillsdale County AgriPac Committee, and on the Corn Marketing Program Board. Kies attended Ferris State University. He will represent the largest Michigan organization exclusively representing the interest of corn producers in Michigan and replaces Scott Miller.
Reappointment:
Ackerman is a partner of Ackerman & Son LLC. He farms over 2,000 acres annually, including dry beans, corn, sugar beets, and white wheat. He will continue to represent the largest Michigan organization exclusively representing dry bean producers in Michigan.
Chaffin is the owner of Chaffin Farms. Chaffin is certified to produce organic crops. Chaffin holds both a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management and a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Michigan State University. He will continue to represent the largest Michigan organization exclusively representing the interests of soybean producers in Michigan.
Frostic is the president of Frostic Farms Inc. He is the previous chairperson of Farm Bureau’s feed grains and oilseeds committee and former chairperson of the government streamlining committee. Frostic holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Oakland University. He will continue to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization representing general farm interests in Michigan.
Howe is the vice president of Star of the West Milling Company. Howe is the immediate past chair of the Michigan Agri-Business Association and served on the Board of Governors for the Great Lakes Leadership Academy. Howe holds an associate’s degree in agricultural business from Michigan State University and was a participant in the MSU Great Lakes Leadership Academy. He will continue to represent the largest Michigan organization representing the interests of licensees in Michigan as a nonvoting (ex-officio) member.
Kluemper is the vice president of credit for GreenStone Farm Credit Services. He has over 20 years of experience working as a banker for grain elevators and crop farmers across the United States. Kluemper holds both a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and a master’s degree in food and agribusiness from Purdue University. He will continue to represent the largest Michigan organization representing the interests of agricultural lenders.
Members will serve three-year terms expiring June 20, 2019. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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