“Joe approaches modern agriculture with the attitude and passion that surrounds a successful family farmer,” said Lt. Governor Skillman, who also serves as the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “We are looking forward to working with him to ensure that agriculture is a top priority in our state and key to the revitalization of Indiana’s economy.”

Board members represent a wide variety of food and agricultural interests from crop and livestock producers to input suppliers, grain handlers, food processors and other related industries. Kelsay brings particular expertise in the dairy industry as he serves as a partner and operator with his father and brother on their dairy farm, Kelsay Farms, LLC. He also sits on the Johnson County Farm Bureau Board and serves as Secretary for the Indiana FFA Foundation Board.

Kelsay graduated from Purdue University with a degree in agricultural economics and continues his professional development by attending training and educational sessions such as the World Dairy Expo, Indiana Professional Dairy Producers Conference, the Tri-State Nutrition Conference and the Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers Conference.

Kelsay will replace Mike Yoder on the Advisory Board. Yoder of Middlebury, Ind., previously represented the dairy industry on the board. He resigned his position last fall due to the challenges of being a local elected official, a full-time dairy farmer, and a member of a statewide advisory committee.

Dow AgroSciences announces leadership role changes
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Several leaders at Dow AgroSciences LLC have accepted new roles within the company that will take effect April 1.

Doug Vail has accepted the role of corporate strategy leader. Vail, who served as the U.S. marketing director since 2002, will be responsible for leading the development and deployment of the company’s strategy with the Strategy Steering Team. Vail, a 25-year veteran of the company, is a native of Stuttgart, Ark., and a graduate of the University of Arkansas.

Monty Bayer will replace Vail as U.S. marketing director and will manage the marketing specialists for the U.S. Crops, Specialty and Turf & Ornamental businesses.

A 16-year veteran of the company, Bayer has served as regional commercial unit (RCU) leader for Japan and Korea since 2003. He is a native of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, and holds degrees from the University of Alberta and Queens University.

Phil Feil, who has served as sales leader for the Northern Crops business since 2002, will replace Bayer as the RCU leader for Japan and Korea. Feil, who joined the Dow Chemical Co. in 1982, holds a degree from North Dakota State University. He was raised on a wheat and cattle farm near Fortuna, N.D.

Kim Bohlander will replace Feil as sales leader for the Northern Crops business after spending the past eight years working in the Pacific region, most recently as the RCU leader for Southeast Asia. Bohlander, who joined the company in 1979, has previously held sales and marketing positions in the United States. A native of central Indiana, he holds a degree from Purdue University.

For more information, visit www.dowagro.com

This farm news was published in the March 8, 2006 issue of Farm World.