USDA APPOINTS WASHINGTON FARM SERVICE AGENCY STATE COMMITTEE Media Contact: Latawnya Dia (202) 720-7962

NEWS Farm Service Agency Public Affairs Staff 1400 Independence Ave SW Stop 0506, Room 3624-South Washington, D.C. 20250-0506 Release No. 1743.01 Latawnya Dia (202) 720-7962 latawnya_dia@wdc.usda.gov USDA APPOINTS WASHINGTON FARM SERVICE AGENCY STATE COMMITTEE WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2001 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of the four state committee members for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Washington state. FSA state committees are responsible for the general direction and supervision of state FSA programs. The committee keeps farmers informed of agency program activities and resolves appeals and complaints. Members maintain cooperative relationships with the agribusiness community. The Washington state committee members are as follows: Mark H. Hemingway, Chairperson, is a fourth generation farmer who owns a 1650-acre farm and raises wheat, barley, and lentils. Mr. Hemingway is actively involved in agriculture and civic organizations; Lon Kerry Inaba is a member of Inaba Produce Farms, Inc. which produces a variety of vegetables and fruits on 1160 acres; Pamela Anne Cheney is involved with numerous agriculture and government committees and organizations, and helps operate the 140-acre family farm; Michael Alden Youngquist operates a 500-acre produce farm and is the co- founder and chairperson of the Berry Good School, which serves the children of agricultural workers. FSA ensures the well-being of American agriculture, the environment and the American public through efficient and equitable administration of farm commodity programs; farm ownership, operating and emergency loans; conservation and environmental programs; emergency and disaster assistance; domestic and international food assistance and international export credit programs. # Note: Farm Service Agency (FSA) news releases and media advisories are available on the Web at FSA's Home Page: http://www.fsa.usda.gov