Press Releases

June 23, 2005

OKLAHOMA COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE SELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF EXPORT ASSOCIATION

New Orleans, LA – Commissioner Terry L. Peach of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry was selected as the new President of the Executive Advisory Committee of the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA). SUSTA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the export of high-value food and agricultural products from the southern United States. SUSTA's Board of Directors is comprised of the Commissioners of Agriculture from 15 southern states and Puerto Rico.

Peach was appointed Oklahoma Secretary and Commissioner of Agriculture in May 2003 by Governor Brad Henry. Peach is President of the Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture and is a member of various civic and agricultural organizations. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Farm Service Agency and received the agency's Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Leadership. A third-generation farmer, Peach and his sons also operate a family farm and ranch of several thousand acres.

Peach is joined on SUSTA's Executive Advisory Committee by Commissioner Ken Givens of Tennessee (Vice-President) and Commissioner Hugh Weathers of South Carolina (Secretary/Treasurer). Commissioner Susan Combs of Texas also serves on the committee as the Past President of SUSTA.

SUSTA administers several programs to assist southern U.S. companies in their international marketing efforts. The MAP Branded program offers small to medium-sized companies up to 50% reimbursement for eligible overseas marketing expenses. During the current fiscal year, SUSTA allocated $3.5 million in Branded funds to 91 companies.

SUSTA's Generic industry promotions give companies the opportunity to participate in trade activities at a reduced cost. This year, SUSTA sponsored 58 Generic activities throughout the world, including trade seminars, buyer missions and in-store promotions.

Other SUSTA services include export training, market research, and culinary training for foreign chefs. SUSTA programs are funded by the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), member states and private companies. For more information, visit www.susta.org.

The SUSTA region includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

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