| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Ron Zellar |
| May 7, 2007 | (406) 444-3144 |
(EDITORS: A photograph of Jim Schillinger can be downloaded here.)
Hail Board Member from Baker Attends First Meeting
HELENA, Mont. — Retired teacher and wheat producer Jim Schillinger of Baker attended his first meeting of the Montana Board of Hail Insurance on April 27, 2007 after his appointment to the board by Governor Brian Schweitzer.
Schillinger taught math and coached sports in Baker for 28 years before retiring in 2005 to operate the family wheat farm near Circle. A graduate of the University of Montana, he played football at the university, as does his youngest son Shann, a UM sophomore. Jim and his wife Debi have two other grown children, Brandy and Jace.
"State hail insurance is a very important item in our part of the state. I am pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the process of setting rates, assuring that the program is well run and authorizing refunds when appropriate," Schillinger said.
The Montana Board of Hail Insurance sets rates and coverage terms for basic hail insurance available for all major Montana crops, as well as minor crops including dry beans, mustard, sainfoin and camelina. Perennial crops for which insurance is available include alfalfa, apples, cherries, mint and grapes. Serving with Schillinger as public representatives on the board are Chairman Gary Gollehon of Brady, and Trudy Laas Skari of Chester. By statute, other members of the board are State Auditor John Morrison and Montana Department of Agriculture Director Nancy K. Peterson.
For more information about state hail insurance, contact the Montana Department of Agriculture's hail specialist at (406) 444-2402 or by email at agr@mt.gov.
