The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of 24 members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards. All appointees will serve two-year terms from Jan. 31, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2026. The committee was re-established on June 1, 2023, after a 10-year hiatus. The committee periodically convenes when needed to review the American Upland Cotton Standards, which are prepared by USDA.
Producers:
- Gerald A. Rovey, Buckeye, Arizona
- Cassy L. England, Casa Grande, Arizona
- Nathan B. Reed, Marianna, Arkansas
- Willie A. Scott, Collins, Georgia
- Patrick L. Johnson, Tunica, Mississippi
- Caroline C. Barber, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Richard Gaona, Roby, Texas
- Lacy C. Vardeman, Slaton, Texas
Ginners:
- Adriane L. Carbonel, Shafter, California
- Rowan B. Evans V, Douglas, Georgia
- John B. Williams, Covington, Tennessee
- Jaime Subealdea, Tulia, Texas
Merchants/Cooperatives:
- Frederick W. Barrier, Indianola, Mississippi
- Bryan K. Elzie, Covington, Tennessee
- Kennett C. Jabbour, Memphis, Tennessee
- Bobby Walton, Memphis, Tennessee
- Ellen E. Batchelder, Palacios, Texas
- Carlos C. Garcia, Slaton, Texas
Manufacturers:
- Mark L. Suddath, Boaz, Alabama
- James W. McKinnon, Rye, New York
- James M. Quinn, Morrisville, North Carolina
- Kimberly A. Bamonte, Fort Mill, South Carolina
- William E. Bowen Jr., Greenville, South Carolina
- Christopher M. Lancaster, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Foreign participation in the Universal Cotton Standards development program is a longstanding tradition, and the committee provides for parallel participation by domestic and international cotton stakeholders.
More information about the committee is available on the Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards page on the AMS website.
AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils, and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender
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