| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Ron Zellar |
| April 2, 2009 | (406) 444-3684 |
(EDITORS: A photo of bureau chief Jeff Rumney can be downloaded from the department's website at: agr.mt.gov/news/JeffRumney.jpg.)
Cascade Grad Returns to Head State Grain Lab
HELENA, Mont. — A Cascade High School graduate with extensive education and experience in agriculture and business has been selected by the Montana Department of Agriculture from among 15 applicants to serve as bureau chief of the State Grain Laboratory in Great Falls.
Jeff Rumney, 47, received a doctorate degree in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Wisconsin, as well as a master's in agronomy from New Mexico State University and a bachelor's degree in crop science at Montana State University. His agricultural career includes eight years with Pioneer Hi-Bred seed company in Wisconsin and California, as well as wheat and barley plant breeding experience while pursuing his advanced degrees.
Raised on a cattle ranch near Cascade, Rumney credits his high school FFA experience in crop judging with helping to fuel his desire to work in agriculture and crops.
He returns to Montana from e:Design, a web marketing company he owned and managed in Fresno, California. Clients included public and private entities, among them a fresh fruit company, SummeRipe, in California's Central Valley. He also taught biology at a community college in Fresno for four years.
"We are fortunate to have someone of Jeff's caliber and experience heading what is a key service we provide to agricultural producers, industry and the residents of Montana," said Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. Rumney replaces Lee Boyer, acting bureau chief, who remains chief of the department's Rural Development Bureau in Helena.
The federally certified Montana State Grain Lab provides official and accurate quality test results to buyers and sellers of Montana grain and other crops. Last year the lab completed about 21,000 tests for agricultural producers and industry.
Rumney said one of his top priorities at the lab will be completing the conversion to an efficient records management system that will allow customers to access sample results online. He said the laboratory has a highly trained staff that is focused on enhancing timely service while maintaining competitive pricing.
Rumney and his wife Sandra, who grew up near Simms, have a daughter, Mikaila, who is a student in veterinary science at California Polytechnic Institute in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
For more information about the State Grain Laboratory, contact the laboratory (406) 452-9561 or by e-mail at agr@mt.gov.
