Unnevehr Named to Board
Published: Oct. 25, 2005
URBANA--A University of Illinois professor of agricultural and consumer economics was one of nine new appointees to a board that deals with USDA research. Laurian J. Unnevehr of the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics will serve on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board.
A former president of the American Agricultural Economics Association, Unnevehr will represent national organizations concerned with agricultural research, education, and Extension on the board. Her research has examined the impact of food regulation on producer and consumer welfare, as well as consumer demand for safety, quality, and nutrition in food.
Earlier, Unnevehr served as chair for a National Academies of Science report on the USDA's mission in the areas covered by the advisory board.
The board advises USDA and land-grant colleges and universities on top national priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension and economics. Board members meet with congress, and hold stakeholder listening sessions. Board members also review draft guidance for competitive-grant programs, give advice on the scientific peer review process for national programs, review agricultural REE activities for relevance to national priorities and adequacy of funding.
The board is made up of 31 members, each of which represents a specific category of U.S. agricultural stakeholders as outlined in 1996 and 2002 farm bill legislation. Each new member serves a three-year appointment, effective October 2005. Terms for members overlap, so every year a third of the board is newly appointed.
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