Chair, vice-chair elected to Texas State Chemist Advisory Committee

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected]   

Contact: Dr. Tim Herrman, 979-845-1121, [email protected]

COLLEGE STATION – Two members from the agriculture industry have been elected to serve as chairman and vice-chairman for the advisory committee of the Office of The State Chemist, a state department administratively housed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research in College Station.

John Fritts, manager/owner of Gorman Milling Co. in Gorman, was elected new chairman, while Suzy Davis, general manager of Brownfield Farmers Cooperative Station in Brownfield, was elected vice-chairman. Ben Weinheimer, vice president of Texas Cattle Feeders Association, recently completed a one-year term as chairman of the advisory committee.

“Both John and Suzy will provide exemplary leadership to our advisory committee, which provides guidance on regulatory issues through the feed and fertilizer sector,” said Dr. Tim Herrman, director of the Office of The State Chemist. “We would also like to extend our gratitude to Ben Weinheimer, who has done an outstanding job as vice-chair and chairman for the past two years.

“This was his second time to serve in a leadership role. Our committee members deal with many complex issues and help the agency make sound, science-based decisions to protect animal and human health, the environment and consumers, while enabling the feed and fertilizer industry in Texas to thrive.”

The state chemist office includes two units: the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service and the Agricultural Analytical Service. It provides inspection and laboratory services as part of surveillance and monitoring of animal feed, including pet food, food for humans and fertilizer. The Service performs a wide array of feed and fertilizer inspections including, but not limited to, consumer complaint and animal death investigators to activities performed as accredited agents commissioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Feed and Fertilizer Advisory Committee acts as an advisory group on policy concerning general program issues including: finances, long range plans, statutory changes and establishment of rules and regulations by the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service and Agricultural Analytical Service.

For more information about the Office of The State Chemist, visit http://otsc.tamu.edu .