On June 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the appointment of 33 members to the EPA Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee.

“I would like to congratulate David Graybill [of Red Sunset Farm, Mifflintown, Juniata County] as our representative from EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “Dave’s experience as a dairy farmer in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, leader in the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and recipient of the 2019 Environmental Stewardship Award along with his track record of building partnerships between the agricultural and environmental communities, makes him an invaluable asset to FRRCC.”

Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities.

The committee had no current members at the time of solicitation; therefore, these 33 nominees will constitute a brand-new committee, and will each serve two- or three-year terms beginning June 15, 2020. 

In selecting committee members, EPA reviewed the quality of applications received between Nov. 7 and Dec. 31, 2019 for nearly 150 nominations, and considered qualifications such as: whether candidates have experience in agricultural issues of relevance to EPA programs, are actively engaged in agricultural production, have related leadership experience, demonstrated ability to examine and analyze complex environmental issues with objectivity and integrity, have experience working on issues where building consensus is necessary, and are able to volunteer time to the committee’s activities.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

[Posted: June 18, 2020]

6/22/2020