Durand chosen for Louisiana rice board

Baton Rouge — St. Martinville rice and crawfish farmer Jeff Durand was appointed by Gov. Bobby Jindal to serve on the Louisiana Rice Promotion Board.

The Louisiana Rice Promotion Board serves to promote the growth and development of the rice industry in Louisiana by promotion of the production, handling, marketing and utilization of rice.

Durand was appointed from a nomination by the Louisiana Rice Council, as required by statute. He and the other nine members were subject to senate confirmation.

Mike Strain, Ph.D, Louisiana commissioner of agriculture, will serve ex-officio on the board.

The other appointees include :

Kevin Berken, of Lake Arthur, is a farmer in southwest Louisiana and was nominated by the American Rice Growers Association, as required by statute.

Damian Bollich, of Jones, is a soybean and rice farmer and was nominated by the Louisiana Rice Council, as required by statute.

Ronald Habetz, of Ragley, is a cattle producer with experience in forage and conservation practices and was nominated by the Louisiana Rice Council, as required by statute.

Mindy Hetzel, of Jennings, is a representative to the USA Rice Council’s Board of Directors and is the current chair of the Jefferson Davis Business Alliance. Hetzel was nominated by the Louisiana Rice Council, as required by statute.

Jimmy Hoppe, of Iowa, is the former president of the Louisiana Rice Council and a member of the USA Rice Council. Hoppe was nominated by the Louisiana Rice Council, as required by statute.

Christian Richard, of Kaplan, is a farmer and was trained in farming, ranching, forestry, the nursing industry, wildlife and agricultural business at the LSU Agricultural center. Richard was nominated by the Louisiana Rice Council, as required by statute.

Robert Thevis, of Simmesport, is a corn, soybean, rice, and wheat farmer and was nominated by the Louisiana Rice Council, as required by statute.

Wayne Zaunbrecher, of Gueydan, is a self-employed farmer with over forty-five years of experience. Zaunbrecher was nominated by the Farm Bureau Association, as required by statute.