Grimmway Farms’ President of Farming Operations Russell Hamlin Appointed to EPA Advisory Committee; Michael Regan Comments
BAKERFIELD, CA - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the appointment of Russell Hamlin, PhD, Grimmway’s President of Farming Operations, to its Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC). Hamlin joins 17 other new members named by EPA Administrator Michael Regan, who will provide independent policy advice and recommendations on crucial environmental issues affecting agriculture and rural communities.
“Good intentions and a desire to give back are important but must be combined with an equal measure of experience and depth of understanding to be effective in shaping meaningful policy,” said Hamlin. “Working with my advisory board colleagues, I look forward to applying my scientific background and common farm sense to understand and find practical paths forward to address environmental problems facing the nation’s farmers.”
Hamlin oversees the management of both conventional and organic vegetable crops for Grimmway’s operations in more than 10 states, and brings diverse academic, farming, and scientific experience to his EPA advisory role, a press release added.
In addition to his role at Grimmway, Hamlin currently chairs the California Fresh Carrot Advisory Board and the Organics Committee of the International Fresh Produce Association. He is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He received his BSA and MS in Horticulture from the University of Georgia and his PhD from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Plant and Soil Sciences.
In announcing the appointments, EPA Administrator Regan commented on the recent appointment.
“The diverse perspectives of these new appointees, along with our dedicated returning members, will be instrumental in helping us navigate environmental challenges and deliver science-based, practical solutions that strengthen our nation's food and agriculture systems for generations to come.”
ANUK congratulates Russell Hamlin on this exciting new appointment.
