Hakim Fobia (202)690-0488hakim.fobia@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2011-- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed three alternate members to serve on the Hass Avocado Board.
Will Carleton, producer alternate of Carpinteria, Calif., and Gahl Crane, importer alternate of Long Beach, Calif., will serve until Oct. 31, 2011. Henry Nader, importer alternate of Milford, Ohio, will serve until Oct. 31, 2012.
“These members represent a cross section of the industry, and I am confident that producers of Hass avocados are well represented by them,” said Vilsack.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight of the Hass Avocado Board in accordance with the Hass Avocado Research, Promotion, and Information Act of 2000 and the Hass Avocado Research, Promotion, and Information Order of 2002.
Under the order, domestic producers and importers pay an assessment of 2.5 cents per pound of fresh Hass avocados produced or handled in the United States or imported into the United States. The funds collected are used to conduct generic promotion, research and information projects designed to maintain and expand markets for Hass avocados.
More information about research and promotion programs can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion.
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