Agricultural News
USDA Appoints Oklahomans to National Peanut Board
Fri, 30 Aug 2013 15:23:32 CDT
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed two state peanut producers to the National Peanut Board for Oklahoma as a member and alternate to serve three-year terms of office beginning Jan. 1, 2014 and ending Dec. 31, 2016.
Gayle White of Frederick is the reappointed Board member. White is the owner/operator of White Farm and Ranch with her husband, Joe D., chairman of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission, and has been engaged in peanut production for more than 25 years.
"I appreciate the chance to continue serving the peanut industry as a member of the National Peanut Board," said White. The White family grows Virginia type peanuts, cotton, corn and wheat, and raises Angus cattle. The Whites' three children, Jessica (Lewis), Whitney (Bell) and Austin, and two sons-in-law, Justin Lewis and Brandon Bell, are also involved in farming and agriculture.
White has served as president of the Tillman County Farm Bureau Women's Committee, president of Ag Boosters and publicity chair of the Tillman County Junior Livestock Show board of directors. She has also served on the board of directors for the Oklahoma City Sirloin Club and the Resolutions Committee of the Tillman County Farm Bureau. On the National Peanut Board, White is chair of the Diversity Committee and serves as a member of the Budget and Finance, Evaluation and Measurements, Promotions and Strategic Planning committees. In her spare time, White enjoys traveling to new and interesting places and spending time with family and friends.
Leslie "Les" Crall of Weatherford is the reappointed Oklahoma alternate member. Crall has been in peanut farming for over 15 years. He currently serves as vice chair of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission and is a member of the Peanut Standards Board.
"I'm very honored to get to serve an additional term on the National Peanut Board," Crall said.
Crall has B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a J.D. degree from University of Oklahoma. His wife, Sherry, is the Weatherford Municipal Judge and he is the associate dean for the School of Business & Technology at Southwestern OSU where he teaches business law and accounting. Crall's primary farming enterprises are growing peanuts, wheat, grain sorghum, hay and maintaining a cow-calf herd. Crall is also the past president of the Weatherford Rotary Club, current president elect of the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce and a Paul Harris Fellow.
Crall and his wife are longtime members of the Weatherford United Methodist Church. In his spare time, he enjoys sports and provides the radio broadcast commentary for the Southwestern Bulldogs football team and has been the public address announcer during the basketball season for 25 years.
The National Peanut Board represents all USA peanut farmers and their families. Through research and marketing initiatives the Board is finding new ways to enhance production and increase consumer demand by promoting the great taste, nutrition and culinary versatility of USA-grown peanuts.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
