JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NDFU) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of Mark Watne to the Federal Grain Inspection Service’s (FGIS) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee. Watne is the president of North Dakota Farmers Union.

The 15-member advisory committee will provide advice to USDA on grain inspection and weighing. “Their recommendations ensure that FGIS services meet the needs of all our stakeholders,” stated USDA. Those serving on the committee include producers, grain processors, merchandisers, handlers, exporters, consumers, grain inspection agencies, and scientists.

Watne was appointed to serve a three-year term along with:

John W. Lindgren, Vancouver, Wash.
Rick L. Robinette, South Sioux City, Neb.
Randall W. Burns, Malvern, Ark.
Dr. Errol B. Turnipseed, Brookings, S.D.

Members appointed to two-year terms were:

Bruce A. Sutherland, Okemos, Mich.
John J. Morgan, Crowley, La.
Linsey Moffit-Tobin, Long Grove, Iowa
Sarah Sexton-Bowser, Mayetta, Kan.
Chad R. Becnel, Gonzales, La.

Members selected as alternates to serve one-year terms were:

Aaron T. Anseeuw, Virginia Beach, Va.
Patricia Dumoulin, Hampshire, Ill.

The advisory committee’s first meeting is Sept. 5-6 in Washington, D.C.