The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council to fill seats for seven members and seven alternates whose terms will expire Dec. 31, 2021. Nominations for regional producers, importer, exporter and public seats are due to the council by March 5, 2021. Selected representatives will serve three-year terms.
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is seeking nominees for the following seats:
- One domestic producer member and alternate from each of the following regions: Western, Midwest, Northeast, and Southern.
- One importer member and alternate.
- One exporter and alternate who represents Chile.
- One public member and alternate.
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is industry-funded and supports the marketing and promotion of highbush blueberries. The council is composed of 20 members who represent the industry as follows: 12 producers, four importers, two foreign exporters, one first handler, and one public member. Each member has an alternate.
Applications are available on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council website. You may also contact the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council at (916) 983-0111 or elections@blueberry.org; or USDA Marketing Specialist Jeanette Palmer at (202) 720-5976 or Jeanette.Palmer@usda.gov. Program information is also available on the AMS U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council webpage.
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 21 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments.
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