The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced today that 12 nominees are certified eligible for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) 2012 Board of Directors election. Here are the candidates, listed by district: District 2: Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Oconto and Vilas Candidate: Connie Seefeldt of Coleman District 5: Dunn and St. Croix Candidate: Kay Zwald of Hammond District 8: Marathon Candidate: Dean B. Kraus of Stratford Candidate: Steve Sternweis of Marshfield District 11: Outagamie and Winnebago Candidate: Robert Letter of Seymour District 14: Jackson, La Crosse and Trempealeau Candidate: Patricia Kling of Taylor Candidate: Theron Prindle of Alma Center District 17: Calumet and Manitowoc Candidate: Kenneth Buelow of Hilbert Candidate: Rosalie Geiger of Reedsville Candidate: Patrick Van Groll of Maribel District 20: Richland and Sauk Candidate: Sharon Laubscher of Wonewoc District 23: Iowa and Lafayette Candidate: Jay M. Staffacher of Darlington DATCP confirmed that each candidate is an active dairy producer who sells milk into commercial channels and lives in the district up for election. In addition, DATCP certified each candidate's nomination form, which included five signatures from active dairy producers within the district and a notarized "Affidavit of Eligibility" requirement. To vote, DATCP will distribute mail-in ballots in early April to dairy producers who live within the eight affected districts. Producers who do not receive a ballot by April 16 should call Noel Favia at (608) 224-5140. Elections will be held through April 28, 2012, with results announced later in May. For more election information, visit www.wmmb.com/elections. Candidate biographies will be posted online by April 5. 3.15.2012