-- ST. PAUL - In recent elections administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota barley, beef, corn, soybean and wheat growers elected new members to serve on their research and promotion councils. Minnesota's commodity research and promotion councils coordinate the development and promotion of farm products. Board members will serve three-year terms. Elected to the Minnesota Barley Research and Promotion Council as at large were Michael Friederichs of Doran and Robert Rynning of Kennedy. Named to the Minnesota Beef Research and Promotion Council were District 4, John Moon, Montevideo; District 5, Ron Rinkel, Hillman; District 6, Eli Berry, Mora; District 7, Dennis Swan, Balaton; and District 9, Carol Abrahamzon, Caledonia. Elected to the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council were District 3, 5 and 6, Chad Willis, Willmar; District 7, Jerry Ploehn, Alpha; and District 8, David Ward, Mapleton. Elected to the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council were District 1, Brian Jensen, Stephen; Wayne Olson, Fosston; and District 2, Douglas Ruud, Twin Valley. Named to the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council were District 4, Vernon Pooch, Farwell; District 5 and 6, Paul Simonsen, Fairfax; District 7, Gene Stoel, Lake Wilson; District 8, Sue Meyer, New Prague; and District 9, Rob Hanks, LeRoy.
Jim Offner joins AdFarm-- KANSAS CITY, Mo. - AdFarm has added Jim Offner, a longtime agriculture journalist, corporate communications specialist and teacher, as senior public relations specialist in its Kansas City, Mo., office. Offner, a native of St. Louis, came to AdFarm from Vance Publishing Corp., where f he was a writer for The Packer, the business publication of the produce industry. Before that, he directed communications programs for a military school and a national athletic association. Offner earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in English education at Northwest Missouri State University.
Mycogen Seeds promotes two-- INDIANAPOLIS - Mycogen Seeds says Terry Gardner and Dave Schumacher have accepted the role of national channel manager and senior marketing specialist, grain corn, respectively. Gardner will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of Mycogen Seeds growth strategy with national accounts. A key focus of his will be to align business strategies within the ag chemical, seeds and traits and germplasm businesses to capitalize on new and growing opportunities for Dow AgroSciences. Schumacher is assuming all responsibilities previously held by Gardner as marketing specialist, grain corn.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation president to retire-- BEMIDJI, Minn. - John Ostrem, president of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation since 2000, has announced that he is retiring effective Jan. 1. Ostrem will remain on staff as president while the board conducts a national search for his successor.
- Agweek Staff and Wire Reports