The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking eight nominees for the Hass Avocado Board. Seats open for nominees are two producer and two importer seats for members and two producer and two importer seats for alternates. USDA will appoint members and alternates to serve three-year terms beginning Nov. 1, 2021.
Nominations for these seats are due to the board by March 30, 2021. The board engages an independent certified public accounting firm to conduct an industry vote to choose nominees to be considered for appointment by USDA.
For nomination forms, visit the Hass Avocado Board website or contact Hass Avocado Board Executive Director Emiliano Escobedo at (949) 341-3250 or ee@hassavocadoboard.com. You may also contact USDA Marketing Specialist Sue Coleman at (202) 378-2569 or Sue.Coleman@ams.usda.gov.
The Hass Avocado Board is industry-funded and supports the national marketing and promotion of Hass avocados. The board is comprised of 12 members including seven producers and five importers. Each member has an alternate. More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Hass Avocado Board webpage and on the board’s website.
AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of their industries in experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight to 22 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender