Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Kevin M. Jones to the Agricultural Chemical Response Compensation Board.

Jones, of St. James, is the general manager of NuWay Cooperative in Trimont. He has held a number of positions with NuWay during the 15-and-a-half years he has been with the Coop. Previously, he worked in the agronomy and feed division with Watonwan Farm Service, and worked on a family farm. Jones earned an agribusiness management degree from Ridgewater College in Willmar, and is a certified crop advisor. He is a member of the Farm Bureau, Statewide Managers Association, Southern Minnesota Managers Association, Minnesota Petroleum Association, Minnesota Propane Gas Association, Cooperative Network, and Minnesota Crop Protection Retailers. Jones replaces Jeff Like on the Agricultural Chemical Response Compensation Board as a representative of agricultural chemical retailers to complete a four-year term that expires on January 2, 2012.

The Agricultural Chemical Response and Reimbursement Account (ACRRA) was created under the 1989 Minnesota Ground Water Protection Act to provide financial assistance to cleanup agricultural chemical contamination. The program is funded through annual surcharges on pesticide and fertilizer sales, and on applicator and dealer licenses. The ACRRA funds are administered by the Agricultural Chemical Response Compensation Board. The five-member board consists of representatives from the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, and three members appointed by the Governor, including a representative of farmers, agricultural chemical manufacturers and wholesalers, and dealers who sell agricultural chemicals at retail.