Appointed

Eric J. Steiner has joined the National Association of Wheat Growers as director of government affairs for farm policy. In his new role, Steiner will lead the organization's efforts on farm policy, crop insurance, transportation and trade issues. He will be the primary NAWG staff member working on the association's proposals for Title I programs and crop insurance in the next farm bill, and he will administer WheatPAC, the wheat industry's political action committee.

* California State Water Resources Control Board chairman Charlie Hoppin has been recommended for reconfirmation to the Board by the State Senate Rules Committee. Hoppin, of Yuba City, is currently chair of the State Water Board and serves in the position of water quality expert. He was first appointed to the Water Board in 2006 and has served as chair since March 2009. Once confirmed by the full Senate his term runs to January 2014

* Hank Vogler, a Nevada sheep rancher who once accused wildlife biologists of "political assassination" for killing a bighorn sheep that mingled with his flock, has been named to the Nevada Wildlife Commission.

-- Associated Press

Honored

* The Natural Colored Wool Growers Association hosted its national show in Yreka, Calif., on Aug. 13. Winners included:

Diane Fehlman, of Montague, Calif., was champion of the Variegated Ram and Variegated Ewe categories, Long Wool Division. Tawanda Farms, of Montague, took second in both.

Nancy Burns, of Greenview, Calif., was champion of the Natural Colored Ram and supreme champion of Natural Colored Ewe category, Medium Wool Division.

Jan McMahon, of Beavercreek, Ore., took second and Mark and Ann Robinson, of Montague, took third in Natural Colored Ewe category, Medium Wool Division.

Joyce Von Tickner, of Yreka, Calif., took first; the Robinsons took second and third; and Tickner took fourth for Variegated Ewe, Medium Wool Division.

McMahon was champion and second place in the Natural Colored Ram category, Fine Wool Division.

The Robinsons were the champion of the Natural Colored Ewe category and first in the Variegated Ewe category, Fine Wool Division.

Tristan Burns-Edel, of Etna, Calif. was champion in the Natural Colored Ram category and first in the Natural Colored Ewe category of the Junior NCWGA Wool Show. Haelee Spencer, of Montague, Calif., took first in the Variegated Ewe category.