NTF 2012 Annual Report Final

8/13/2019 NTF 2012 Annual Report Final

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2012 Annual Repor

National Turkey Federation


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The turkey industry faced a number of economic, regulatory, and legislative challenges in 2012, but we pulled to-gether as an industry andworking through the National Turkey Federation (NTF)met those challenges in a way

that leaves the industry well positioned to build a bright, prosperous future.

As the national advocate for the turkey industry, NTF maintained its strong focus on food safety issues and the mis-guided federal policies that contribute to rising feed costs, and took other initiatives that helped the industry dealwith 2012s industry downturn. Major initiatives and milestones for the year included

In December 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a request from NTF and announcedit would purchase of approximately $35 million worth of turkey products for federal food nutrition assistanceprograms, including food banks.

NTF worked tirelessly in 2012 to reform the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Renewable Fuel Stan- dard (RFS). In collaboration with its members, NTF submitted more than 1,500 comments to the EPA request- ing a full or substantial RFS waiver, citing severe economic harm to the livestock and poultry industry and the nation as a whole. EPA denied the waiverin the face of a crippling droughtproving conclusively that

the RFS waiver process is broken and setting the stage for renewed action in 2013.

NTF played a leading role in pushing for the New Poultry Inspection System, which was proposed by USDAearly in 2012 and which appears on track for implementation in 2013.

NTFs ranks grew to more than 300 members in 2012meeting a major milestone in the 200812 StrategicPlanand giving the federation the strongest united voice possible in grassroots and advocacy efforts.

NTFs accomplishments are directly attributable to its members and staff, who met 2012s challenges and kept awatchful eye on the future by developing a new ve-year Strategic Planthat ensures NTF remains the national ad-vocate for the turkey industry and a leader in Washington on a wide range of issues affecting the meat and poultryindustry.

Our members remain deeply committed to growing our industry in the safest, most responsible, and cost-effectiveway possible. We look forward to a bountiful 2013.

Steve Willardsen, Chairman Joel Brandenberger, President, NTF

Foreword


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The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is the national advocate for all segments of the turkey industryprovidingservices and conducting activities aimed at increasing demand for its members products by protecting and enhanc-

ing their ability to protably provide wholesome, high-quality, nutritious products. NTF members include growers,processors, hatchers, breeders, distributors, allied services. and state associations.

Based in Washington, DC, NTFs services focus on four main areas

Legislative AffairsMember ServicesScientic/Regulatory Affairs

Communications & Marketing.

This report details NTFs progress and accomplishments on behalf of the turkey industry in each of these areas for2012.

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Intoduction


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Renewable Fuel Standard

The drought of 2012 may prove to be a turning point in the effort to substantially re-form the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), whichmandates increased ethanol production. The combination of severe drought and the RFSstringent requirements created a feed availability crisis in 2012. Corn is the primary ingre-dient in turkey feed andas corn prices roseso did feed costs. This chain of events hasled to higher food prices overall.

NTFs legislative team rst recognized the long-term ramications of the RFS more than

a decade ago and continued striving throughout 2012 to illuminate the awed policies ofcorn ethanol. That effort prompted nine governors, 156 Members of the House of Repre-

sentatives, and 26 Senators to request a waiver from the RFS. The EPA formally considered waiver petitions from thegovernors of Arkansas and North Carolina, and NTF members generated an impressive 1,500 comments support-ing the waiver and submitted them to the agency. Disappointingly, the EPA chose not to grant the waiver request,although the outcome was not surprising because the waiver process is written to make it difcult for EPA to granta waiver. NTF will continue seeking common-sense RFS reform and representing its members concerns before keydecisionmakers.

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Legislative Aairs

Small, independent turkey growers need the EPA waiver fromthe RFS now. This is the only immediate relief for this countrys

livestock and poultry producers. We need to stabilize the markets.The reality is, at these volatile, high prices, even the most prudent,

cautious farmers can nd themselves out of business. - John Burkel, Badger, MN


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Other NTF activities related to renewable fuels included:

Smarter Fuel Future (SFF): The SFF was created to raise awareness about the economic,environmental, hunger, and engine performance implications of the current U.S. bio-fuelpolicy for animal agriculture. NTF is a key partner in SFF and participated as a united voice

when SFF called on lawmakers to revisit the RFS and enact equitable policies that take ourcollective concerns into account.

RFS Legal Actions: In July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit dismissed a chal-lenge by a coalition of NTF and other food groups to the EPA's minimum annual RFS usedin transportation fuels, as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.The suit against EPA alleged injuries caused by the RFS2. The appellate judges did not dis-pute the merits of the trade associations' case; however, the court did rule the groups hadnot demonstrated standing to bring the suit because they "failed to show that a favorable ruling would redress (the)

claimed injuries." In addition, the federal court rejected a challenge brought by NTF and other trade associations tothe EPA's rule allowing the use of E15 ethanol. The coalition is reviewing the courts E15 and RFS2 rulings and mayre-le.

Estate Tax

Late in 2012, the nal legislation passed by the House and Senate to avert the scal cliff contained importantestate tax relief. NTF staff worked closely with coalition partners to educate Members of Congress about the im-

portance of estate tax relief on the turkey industryespecially to proprietors of family-owned farms. The legislationincreases the estate tax from 35 to 40 percent, and preserves the $5 million exemption for individuals and $10 mil-lion for married couples. Because estate tax parameters have changed nine times between 2002 and 2012, passageof the bill provides more certainty in the tax code with respect to the estate tax, for the rst time in 12 years.

Put simply, ethanol policies have created signicantly highercorn prices, tighter supplies, and increased volatility.

- Governor Mike Bebee, Arkansas


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Agriculture Appropriations

The House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) Agriculture Appropriations bill, whichNTF supported. The legislation included $19.4 billion in discretionary fundinga $365 million reduction from lastyears level. The bill included a provision that prohibited Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

(GIPSA) from spending any money in FY13 to re-promulgate its controversial livestock and poultry marketing rulefrom 20102011. Furthermore, the bill maintained critical funding for meat, poultry, and egg product inspection andtesting activities, and supported implementation of the new poultry inspection system to improve safety and inspec-tion efciency.

TURPAC

NTF's Political Action Committee (PAC) is one of the largest and most active PACs within the

meat and poultry sectors, and raised $201,473, shattering its fundraising goal of $172,500 in2012. Several states also had record-breaking fundraising results. Iowa, chaired by Ed Garrettand Paul Hill, again set a new single-state record with nearly $80,900 in contributions; NorthCarolina/South Carolina, chaired by Neal Walsh and John Prestage, saw success in raising$27,235 (bolstered by the states rst Tee-Off for TURPAC golf tournament); Ohio, chairedby Dianne Cooper, raised more than $20,700; Indiana, led by Ted Seger, raised an impressive$20,131 in contributions; and John Burkel, TURPAC Chairman and leader of Minnesota/Wis-consin, raised nearly $19,750. TURPAC will continue working with its members in 2013 toeducate our congressional leaders about the pressing issues facing the turkey industry.

4Pictured here is the Iowa Delegation, leaders in TURPAC fundraising, at the 2012 Annual Convention in Tampa, Fla.


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Growing the Ranks

NTF achieved its goal of attaining 300 members with assistance from the Member-ship Committee, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and many other NTFmembers. At the end of 2012, NTF had 303 Preferred Supplier members48 were newmemberssurpassing the goal laid out in the 20072012 Strategic Plan. This success ingrowing NTFs membership is supplemented by a retention rate of 89 percent, furtherhighlighting the valuable services NTF provides to its active members.

2012 Annual Convention

NTFs 2012 Annual Convention in Tampa was very well attended, with 579 participants.This was the rst time Tampa hosted the NTF convention, and the feedback was excel-lent. In addition, NTF increased sponsorship over the program year.

2012 LeadershipConference

NTF held a very successful Leadership Con-ference in Washington over the summer.This event offered NTF members a uniqueopportunity to meet their elected ofcials in

Congress and key regulators to discuss important issues facing the turkeyindustry. NTF also worked to increase participation at the Leadership Con-ferenceimplementing new strategies such as the New Student Programand the Expanding Grower Program. Overall, the July 2012 Leadership Con-

ference had 151 attendees and sponsorship for the Leadership Conference,and the Congressional Reception exceeded the previous years events.

Coming Events

Leadership ConferenceJuly 14-16, 2013The Liaison Hotel

Washington, D.C.

2014 Annual ConventionFebruary 12-15, 2014

Disneys Grand Floridian

Orlando, Fla.

Member Serices

300!


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Technical and Regulatory

The Technical and Regulatory (T & R) Committee met four times in 2012, most recently in Atlanta this past October,to continue its work on ensuring USDA regulations are enforced consistently and fairly, and that agency policy isbased on sound science.

Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection Rule: NTF members and staffworked diligently to ensure the proposed New Poultry Inspection System rulerealizes its full potential to enhance the meat and poultry inspection system. NTFprepared detailed comments for the proposed rule, which provides Food Safetyand Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors with increased exibility to patrol pro-

cessing plants and heightens the role of scientic oversight to ensure the plant ismeeting required food safety performance standards. This new inspection programis expected to enhance food safety while reducing government costs by $85$95million over three years and to reduce costs to private businesses by a total of $250million. NTFs comments generally expressed support for this rule, while making suggestions for improvements andhighlighting the turkey industrys pro-active efforts to enhance the safety of its products by investing millions of dol-lars in worker training, technology, and equipment. In addition, NTF worked to correct media reports that mischarac-terized the rules intent and to educate Congress about the potential value of the rule. NTF views the proposed ruleas the next step in protecting human health through modern, science-based food safety techniques, but stressed

that processing plants should have the option of participating in the new system.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Plans: USDA/FSIS intends to reassess establishment ofHACCP plans for Salmonellacontrols. As part of its own ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of its products, NTFmembers voluntarily started this process in 2011, well before FSIS issued its plans. In addition, NTF submitted com-ments in response to FSIS request for comments on its document Compliance Guidance: HACCP Systems Valida-tion. While NTF recognized the FSIS revised guidelines claried the agencys expectations on validation, the com-ments also noted that additional guidance was still needed on several key issues, including cooking instructions,types of products that need validation, and others.

Public Health Information System by FSIS:In January, FSIS initiated the rst of several pilot programs to test theindustry-access portion of its Public Health Information System (PHIS). As FSIS-Industry liaison, the NTF staff wastasked with compiling a list of volunteer establishments for the pilot program. The rst pilot tested several functionsof the PHIS and sought feedback from pilot participants. In October, the agency re-launched the pilot with the sameparticipants and added small and very small establishments to retest the system and ensure the resulting changesenacted from the rst pilot were valid. The nal pilot was launched in December and tested the Web-registrationportion of the system. It also featured all new volunteer establishments, including several NTF members. The pilotsgave participating establishments a rst look at the new industry-access system and will eventually allow early adop-

tion once the new system goes live.

Scientic and Reglatory Aairs


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Ground Poultry Seminars:NTF worked with the National Chicken Council and U.S. Poultry and Egg Association tobring together subject matter experts to identify additional ways to further reduce Salmonellain poultry products,particularly ground poultry. This is an extension of the process NTF began in 2011 with its Turkey and SalmonellaSummit.

Pre-Harvest Information Sought by USDA:In 2012, NTF tracked FSIS' efforts to collect grower and other pre-harvest information. Most recently, NTF convinced FSIS to stop inspectors from asking processors to provide groweridentication during Salmonellasampling. In addition, NTF recommended that if pressed, members should provideinformation about the birds owner, i.e., the company, not the grower.

FSIS Issues Clarication on Mislabeling Non-compliance:This notice initially instructed inspectors to report anynon-meat item found in a product, e.g., bone in a boneless product, to the District Ofce as a mislabeling non-com-pliance. This specic guidance was a signicant issue for many NTF members; therefore, NTF met with FSIS numer-ous times, provided examples of areas where clarication was needed, and offered several common-sense solutions

for consideration. This resulted in the agency issuing a Q & A document that claried the language surrounding itsnotice on receiving adulterated product. The turkey industry greatly appreciated the publication of the Q & A docu-ment and the FSIS clarication on limiting what it considered in commerce.

Outreach to USDA:In 2012, NTF staff regularly conducted outreach meetings with key decisionmakers at USDA andkept them abreast of any efforts undertaken by the turkey industry regarding the safety of its products, improve-ments made to production processes, and the impact on proposed policies on the industry. NTF also serves as the

industry liaison with the agency on behalf of other trade groups and companies.

Exports

In response to our members direction, NTF Scientic and Regulatory Affairs staff identied and analyzed issues af-fecting turkey exports. With this information in hand, staff worked closely with the USA Poultry & Egg Export Coun-cil to ensure it had the necessary information to fully include turkey and turkey products in its efforts to expandoverseas markets. The staff also developed working relationships with key international players and supported theextension of the Mexican Tomato Agreement and advocated for inclusion of turkey exports on Australias priority listduring the recent Trans-Pacic Partnership.


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Turkey Health and Welfare

The Turkey Health and Welfare (THW) Committee completed the revision of theAnimal Welfare Guidelines for Production and Slaughter, worked with Animal andPlant Health Inspection Services denition of pet stores, and was actively involvedin important policy initiatives from the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) Centerfor Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

Animal Care Guidelines:The THW Committee updated the NTF Animal CareGuidelinesin 2012revising the Production and Slaughter Guidelines and the NTFGuidelines for Euthanasia of Turkeys, slated for completion once the American Vet-erinary Medical Association Committee on Animal Euthanasia completes its review.

Worker Safety and Health

Poultry Industry Safety Awards: The Joint Safety and Health Committee presented its third annual Poultry IndustrySafety Awards during the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry. Awards were presented to 68 facili-ties25 qualied for the highest category, Award of Distinction, and of those, 19 were NTF member facilities.

OSHA Reengagement: In fall 2012, the Joint Safety & Health Council developed an Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) talking points document outlining the poultry industrys progress during the past 30 years inreducing workplace accidents. In 2013, the Joint Council will schedule meetings with OSHA and industry safety direc-tors to continue building a productive working relationship with the goal of enhancing worker safety.

Hours of Service Amicus Brief: As part of the Shipper/Transportation Provider Coalition, NTF led a brief in a legalchallenge to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations Hours of Service Final Rules for commercial truck driv-ers. Portions of this rule will have a negative impact on agriculture, manufacturers and retail supply chains, distribu-tion operations, and productivity, hurting jobs. At this writing, the legal proceedings are still under way.

CVM Activities

NTF submitted comments on three CVM guidance documents, including Guidance #209, which addressed the FDAsapproach to the judicious use of medically important antibiotics in food-producing animals, and Draft Guidance#213, which provided recommendations for drug companies to voluntarily shift production claims to therapeuticclaims in compliance with Guidance #209. CVM also released the draft text of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD),seeking input regarding whether efciency improvements to the current VFD regulations were necessary. NTF of-fered conditional support for these initiatives, while strongly challenging FDAs underlying assumption that antibi-otic use in food animals contributes to resistance in human medicine. The comments cited topics such as antibioticsrelated to animal health and well-being and environmental impact, while emphasizing the industrys commitmentto using antibiotics safely. Finally, NTF supported the goal of increased oversight by veterinarians but identied the

difculties associated with implementation, especially in rural areas where unique challenges specic to the verticallyintegrated turkey industry exist. In addition, NTF submitted detailed comments in response to CVMs Advance Noticeof Proposed Rulemaking to collect additional antimicrobial drug sales/distribution data.


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Human Resources

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Ofce of Special Counsel (OSC): Whatstarted as a presentation and discussion at the Joint Human Resources Committee meeting in the spring, evolvedinto a much fuller dialogue with the OSC on how to address immigration status discrimination, document abuse,

Americans with Disabilities Act discrimination, processes surrounding questions of eligibility/legality, and extensionsowing to a countrys instability. In August, the Joint Committee conducted a webinar with OSC and EEOC members,and held a roundtable discussion after the presentations.

Department of Labor (DOL) Withdraws Proposed Rule on Child Agriculture Workers: The DOL withdrew itsproposed rule on Child Labor Regulations in response to thousands of comments led by NTF, other agriculturegroups, and farm families across the country. The proposed rule included provisions that dened "parental exemp-tion," which would have dramatically affected rural communities and family-owned farms.

USDA Federal Contractors Labor Rule: In response to comments led by NTF and other agriculture groups, theUSDAs Ofce of Procurement and Property Management withdrew its proposed rule on labor violations and noti-cations. This rule required federal contractors to report mere allegations of violations for all applicable labor lawsnot just actual violationsand imposed signicant recordkeeping and reporting burdens.

The decision to withdraw this ruleincluding provisions to dene the porental ex-

amptionwas made in response to thousands of comments expressing concerns aboutthe effects of the proposed rules on small family-owned farms.- Department of Labor Press Release, April 26, 2012


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NTF National Thanksgiving Turkey

Presentation

Every November, NTF looks forward to the annual pre-sentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to thepresident. This year was no exception. NTF's Chairman,Steve Willardsen, represented the industry during theirtrip to the White House, where President Barack Obamapardoned this year's turkey "Cobbler, continuing the 65

year-old tradition. At the time, "Cobbler," and his alternate"Gobbler," were 19-week old toms weighing approximate-ly 40 pounds. After spending time in the nation's capital,the toms are now resting comfortably at their new home

at Mount Vernon.

Communications Strategy Plan

During the April 2012 Strategic Planning Meeting in Chicago, the members agreed to continue focusing on outreachto retail and foodservice operators and their customers, while placing more emphasis on issues management andintegrating marketing into the larger image/communications plan. Core principles for the new program include:

The public should be given ample information about turkey to enhance their knowledge of how to best usethis nutritious and affordable product, and to appreciate the complex, science-based production and pro-

cessing practices behind delivering turkey safely and sustainably to consumers.

NTFs members are the associations key partners in this image program. By clearly communicating the scope

and strategy of NTFs programs to their constituents, the members become industry ambassadors as theypresent key messages and share information directly with stakeholders.

A key component of the plan should be delivering important information externally and internally about theturkey industry and NTF activities by exploring and deploying available technologies and media such as Twit

ter and Facebook.

NTF Chairman Steve Williardsen, President Barack Obama, Sashaand Malia Obama, with Cobbler

Communications and Marketing


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Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award: Vance Larsen of Larsen,S & K Turkeys, received NTFs 2012 Lifetime Achieve-ment award for being a leader and innovator in the turkey

industry. Larsen served as the NTF chairman in 1986 afterdecades working in his family-owned turkey business.During his tenure as NTFs chairman, his operation raisedmore than a quarter of a million turkeys annually, alongwith 5,000 hogs and 1,700 acres of corn. Larsen also servedas president of Midwest Poultry Federation in 1983 andwas a longtime force within Minnesotas turkey industry.Pete Hermanson, a past Lifetime Achievement recipientand 1988 NTF chairman, presented Larsen with the award

and said, "It was at NTF that Vance created his most lastinglegacy in the industry...he had a passion for making NTFand the turkey industry the best organizations possible."

2012 Turkey On the Menu (T.O.M.) Awards: The T.O.M.

Awards are given to food service providers who feature in-novative turkey dishes on their menus. The categories andrecipients for the 2012 T.O.M Awards were:

Fast Food: Carls Jr.and Hardees

Mid-Scale/Casual Dining: Rams HornRestaurants

Quick Casual: Capriottis Sandwich Shop.

Shown here is Vance Larsen, (seated, center) recipient of the NTFLifetime Achievement Award, with family.

Dick Elmore, vice president of strategic accounts forAdvancePierre Foods and John Koncki, director of research

and development for CKE Restaurants, Inc., accepts the T.O.M.Award from Carl Wittenburg and Jim Leighton.


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NTF Online

Social Media: NTF successfully increased its social media presence in 2012 and reached 1,561 followerson Twitter and 924 followers on Facebook. By sharing timely, relevant content, NTF transformed into avaluable news source also known for engaging audiences in meaningful conversation.

NTF Website: NTFs website was a valuable resource for consumers throughout the year, and overall,received 29,214,620 visits for 2012. The website was especially popular in November, received more than11,520,206 visitsnearly 107,000 hits were recorded on Thanksgiving Day alone.

Stafng Changes

NTFs Marketing and Communications Department had a transitional year lled with positive change. NTF welcomed

Mary Raguso as the new Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Marys strong background in strategiccommunications planning and outreach coincided with the new direction being undertaken by NTF. She replacedSherrie Rosenblatt, who left for another marketing opportunity after 14 years at NTF. Rounding out the team arePeggy Albertson, who joined NTF in 2012 as Public Relations Manager, and Kimmon Williams, who was promoted toPublic Relations Coordinator.


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When the NTF Executive Committee and other senior industry leaders met in Chicago in April to write a ve-year

strategic plan for the federation, they wanted to build on the strengths of the existing plan while charting an ambi-tious new course for the industry. The draft 201317 Strategic Planthat emerged maintains the rigorous measure-ment standards that were the hallmark of the previous plan, but it also establishes challenging new goals designedto make NTF an even stronger, more effective advocate for the turkey industry.

The most striking component of the new plan is its vision for NTFs communications and marketing programs.Although always housed in a single department within the federation, the programs are to be integrated to createa single communications plan designed to promote and protect the image of turkey and the turkey industry. Themeasurement for success is straightforward: NTF will ensure the industry is fully prepared to manage, immediately

and effectively, any attacks against it while also ensuring consumers understand the value of turkey, the responsibleway in which turkey is produced, and the issues that could harm the industry. Product promotion/marketing will re-main a key component of the plan, although there will be a signicant increase in the emphasis on issues management.Other components of the plan, which will be presented to the Board of Directors for their approval at the 2013 An-nual Convention, include

NTF's Legislative Affairs program will remain tightly focused on the primary challenges to industry prot ability. NTF's Scientic and Regulatory Affairs program will continue to be the meat and poultry industry leader on

food safety and animal health issues, while expanding its expertise on other animal welfare matters, environ mental issues, and human resources/worker safety and health programs. NTF will strive to increase net membership to 350 Preferred Supplier Members. Staff will work with members to streamline the Annual Convention, make it easier for members to access all

of the information delivered at the convention, and maintain the strong networking opportunities desiredby all membership segments.

Once the plan has received nal approval, it will be available for viewing in the "Members Only" section of the NTF

website.

Stategic Planning


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Looking ahead to 2013, the industry and NTF look forward to fullling the following goals to benet its members

Redoubling our efforts to amend the RFS through common-sense changes that will help our industrycontinue delivering nutritious, affordable products to consumers

Supporting the passage of the Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection Rule Participating in summits on further reducing Salmonellain poultry and enhancing industry safety standards

Completing the consolidation and transition of NTFs marketing and communications programs Launching a newly designed, streamlined website to serve its growing online audience

Expanding our social media presence to further engage and educate stakeholders.

The Year Ahead

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NTF offers its deepest gratitude to those who served on the 2012 Executive Committee.

Chairman: Steve Willardsen, Cargill Value Added MeatsVice Chairman: John Burkel, Northern PrideSecretary-Treasurer: Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms

Immediate Past Chairman: Richard Huisinga, Wilmar Poultry Company

Matt Cook, NorbestJihad Douglas, Aviagen Turkeys

Yubert Envia, Foster FarmsRon Kardel, West Liberty

Jim Leighton, Perdue Farms, Inc.Glenn Leitch, Jennie-O Turkey Stores

Walter Pelletier, Butterball, LLCRon Prestage, Prestage Farms, Inc.John Reicks, Hillshire BrandsJeff Sveen, Dakota ProvisionsCarl Wittenburg, Protein Alliance, Inc.

Shown here is the 2012 Executive Committee; Back row (Left to right):Ron Prestage, Richard Huisinga, Steve Willard-sen, John Reicks, Gary Cooper, Glenn Leitch. Front row (left to right):Walter Pelletier, Yubert Envia, Jihad Douglas,

John Burkel, Jim Leighton. Not pictured: Matt Cook, Ron Kardel and Carl Wittenburg

Executive Commiee


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Purchasing Managers CommitteeTony Barnes, Cargill Value Added Meats

Technical & Regulatory CommitteeLee Johnson, West Liberty Foods, andMichael Rybolt, Hillshire Brands

Turkey Health & WelfareEric Gonder, Goldsboro Milling

TURPAC CommitteeJohn Burkel, Northern Pride

Worker Safety & Health CommitteeMike Klun, Cargill Value Added Meats

Human Resources CommitteeGary Cooper, Cooper Farms

Issues Management CommitteeJohn Reicks, Hillshire Brands

Legislative CommitteeSteve Willardsen, Cargill Value Added Meats

Live Production CommitteeJohn Burkel, Northern Pride

Marketing and Communications CommitteeCarl Wittenburg, Protein Alliance, andJim Leighton, Perdue Farms, Inc.

Membership CommitteeJihad Douglas, Aviagen Turkeys

NTF sincerely thanks the committee chairmen for their generous donation of time and effort in helping the

federation achieve its goals.

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Functional Commiees


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ALABAMA

Rebecca Bates-Sloane

ARKANSASShane AcostaTim ScanlonVic SmithSteve Willardsen

CALIFORNIA

Ira BristerYubert EnviaJohn Ross

DELAWARE/MARYLANDJoe DePippo

ILLINOISRobert Kauffman

INDIANAAl JansenTom SchafferPhil SegerTed Seger

IOWA

Calvin HalsteadRon KardelJohn Reicks

MICHIGANJohn JanssenHarold Walcott

MINNESOTA

John BurkelJohn GortonRichard HuisingaGlenn LeitchJeff LindellKent MeschkePete RothforkCarl Wittenburg

MISSOURITony BarnesBobby HarrisAlice JohnsonJoe Nalley

NEBRASKABill Bevans

NORTH CAROLINARod BrennemanKerry DoughtyBob JohnsonRonnie ParkerWalter PelletierJohn PrestageScott Prestage

NORTH DAKOTAHarvey Hofer

OHIOGary CooperTerry Wehrkamp

SOUTH CAROLINA

Ray CheeksRon PrestageChad Starnes

SOUTH DAKOTADavid WaldmerRuben Waldner

TEXAS

Wesley CarterKeith Wingert

UTAHMatt CookTroy Prestwich

VIRGINIASteve BazzleJim LeightonJim MasonTim Maupin

WISCONSINRichard CarlsonChad Larson

DIRECTORS-AT LARGE

Aidan ConnollyJihad DouglasBill GoerichPaul HillBill HodgeRich HogrefeMark MoshierMaury OreDoug Prohaska

Carlos PutnamDon SmithJeff SveenLynn TenoldAllen TraywickBernie TreidlBarry UnclesTony Volk

DIRECTORS EMERITUSBill BatesG. Yan GhazikhanianPete HermansonTed HuisingaMarvin JohnsonGordon MaxwellMarilyn McAlpine

John McDadeRay NorlingBill PrestageMartin RichNorm RichRichard Shinn

2012 Board of Directors


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NTF Professional Sta

Joel Brandenberger

President

Damon WellsVice President, Government Relations

Lisa PicardVice President, Scientic and Regulatory Affairs

Mary Raguso

Vice President, Communications and Marketing

Jen Zukowski DansereauDirector of Member Services

Andrew BaileyManager, Scientic and Regulatory Affairs

Leslee Oden

Manager, Legislative Affairs and PAC Manager

Peggy AlbertsonManager, Public Relations

Kimmon WilliamsCoordinator, Public Relations


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National Turkey Federation

1225 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 400Washington, DC 20005

Telephone: 202-898-1000Fax: 202-898-0203

www.eatturkey.com

Documents

NTF 2012 Annual Report Final