03/10/06 Woman appointed to Wa Potato Commission

03/10/06 Woman appointed to Wa Potato Commission

Farm and Ranch March 10, 2006 The newest Commissioner appointed to the Washington State Potato Commission is breaking new ground. At a meeting this week, Commissioners appointed the first female member, Angela Pixton of Warden to fill the new at-large position created with the passage of a grower referendum earlier this year. Pixton: "And I was real proud that there were other men competing for the position and I was the one that prevailed and there were primarily men voting me in that position." There is another female on the Commission, the Department of Agriculture representative, Janet Leister, who says " I guess this means we can have a women's caucus now." Angela Pixton and her husband Russell have grown processed and fresh pak potatoes for 23 years. And Angela has done more than just bookwork. She's been on the Washington State Potato Conference and Trade Show Committee and in 1997 received a Legislative Leadership Award getting training at Princeton University and lobbying in Washington D.C. Angela thinks its important to have women in decision making positions. Not that their priorities on the substantives issues like water, labor, or trade are different, but they do bring a different perspective. Pixton: "Yeah, I think there is definitely a side that men see versus what women see especially on the family farm side of things. I think we have totally different perspectives, at least how it is involving family issues." Angela is already scheduled for two trips to Washington D.C. Her appointment to the Commission expires in June but she plans to run for election. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
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