Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 14 members to serve on the Plant Variety Protection Board. The newly appointed members will serve two-year terms.
Newly appointed members are:
Farmer Representation
- James Davis, Ferriday, Louisiana
Private or Industry Representation
- Megan Bowman, West Chicago, Illinois
- Barry Nelson, Johnston, Iowa
- Melissa Boersema, Johannesburg, Michigan
- Marymar Butruille, Chesterfield, Missouri
- Eloy Corona, Apex, North Carolina
- Barbara Campbell, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Bishwajit Prasad, Alvin, Texas
- Michelle Bos, Granger, Washington
Public or Government Representation
- Jenny Koebernick, Auburn, Alabama
- Brian Suh, Riverside, California
- Matthew Mattia, Fort Pierce, Florida
- Felicia Jefferson, Reno, Nevada
- Jeremy Tamsen, Pullman, Washington
The Plant Variety Protection Act provides legal protection in the form of intellectual property rights to developers of new varieties of plants and calls for a Plant Variety Protection Board. The board is made up of 14 members representing farmers, the seed industry, trade and professional associations, and public and private institutions involved with developing new plant varieties. Members of the board provide oversight and guidance to the program on plant variety protection issues.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender