NJDA's
Plant Industry Director Robert J. Balaam was elected
president of the National Plant Board during their
annual meeting in Portland, Oregon, last month.
Balaam has been the New Jersey representative to
the National Plant Board since 1992 and has served
as secretary/treasurer as well as vice president.
In addition, he is a member of the Eastern Plant
Board having served as president from 1995/96.
A graduate of Rutgers University with a bachelor's
degree in entomology, Balaam began his career with
the department in 1970 as an entomologist trainee,
becoming director of the Division of Plant Industry
in 1992. The division's programs include plant
pest and disease control, biological pest control
and plant laboratory services. A resident of Stockton,
Hunterdon County, he and his wife Pat, have three
children and five grandchildren. The National Plant
Board is an organization of plant pest regulatory
agencies of each of the states and the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico. This organization provides leadership
in plant protection and certification as well as
pest prevention and management to protect American
agriculture, forestry, horticulture and the environment
from harmful plant pests.
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