Release No.: 004-16
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’ Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the National Mango Board (Board). Applications for six open seats are due April 11, 2016. Selected representatives will serve three-year terms of office. The 18-member board includes eight importers, two domestic producers, seven foreign producers, and one first handler.
Currently, the Board is looking to fill six seats to replace representatives whose terms expire Dec. 31, 2016. This consists of two importers who will represent District 3, which includes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) ports of entry for El Paso, Texas; Nogales, Ariz.; Great Falls, Mont.; and Pembina, N.D. In addition, one importer seat in District 4, which includes the Customs ports of entry for San Diego, Calif; Los Angeles, Calif.; San Francisco, Calif.; Columbia-Snake, Ore.; Seattle, Wash.; Anchorage, Alaska; and Honolulu, Hawaii. The Board is also looking to fill three foreign producer seats.
The Board meets periodically to plan and review marketing and research activities that benefit the industry. The national program has supported the marketing and promotion of fresh mangos since 2004.
USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the research and promotion programs. All eligible women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to seek nomination for a seat on the Board.
Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency, and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.
For more information or an application, please contact Manuel Michel or Anna Deschamps-Polonia of the National Mango Board by phone at (407) 629-7318, extension 112. They may be reached by e-mail at Mmichel@mango.org or APolonia@mango.org, respectively. This information is available on the Board’s website at www.mango.org/nominations. Questions may also be directed to Jeanette Palmer, AMS Specialty Crops Program Marketing Specialist, by phone at (202) 720-9915 or by email at Jeanette.Palmer@ams.usda.gov.
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