The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominations for peanut producers and industry representatives to serve on the Peanut Standards Board. USDA is accepting nominations until 5 p.m. ET on May 3, 2019.
The board consists of 18 members with representation equally divided between peanut producers and industry representatives. Representation is divided among three regions: Southeast (Alabama, Georgia and Florida), Southwest (Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico) and Virginia/Carolina (Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina). Each region has three producer seats and three industry representative seats with staggered three-year terms.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue will appoint one producer and one industry representative from each region to succeed members whose terms expire on June 30, 2019. The six selected appointees will replace three producers and three industry representatives who currently serve on the board.
Nominating forms and additional information are available on the Peanut Standards Board Nominations page on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website. You may also contact the Marketing Order and Agreement Division (MOAD), Southeast Marketing Field Office (SEMFO), at (863) 324-3375 or fax (863) 291-8614; or contact Marketing Specialist Steven W. Kauffman at Steven.Kauffman@usda.gov or SEMFO Regional Director Christian D. Nissen at Christian.Nissen@usda.gov.
A notice of the request for nominations was published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2019.
The 2002 Farm Bill established the Peanut Standards Board to consult with USDA regarding quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The Board plays a key role in representing the U.S. peanut industry on issues affecting quality and marketability.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender