The nominee should understand organic principles and have practical experience in the organic community or academia specific to environmental protection and resource conservation. Other experiences benefitting a nominee include involvement in educational outreach activities and participation on public or private advisory boards, boards of directors or other comparable organizations. Additionally, the nominee will preferably have experience developing standards or policy, be committed to the integrity of the organic food and fiber industry, and demonstrate the ability to evaluate scientific and technical information.
The appointed member will serve on the National Organic Standards Board on a voluntary basis, committing his or her time and energy to fully participate in board deliberation and vote on recommendations. As dedicated representatives of the organic community, board members serve in an advisory capacity to the USDA and play a critical role in developing and maintaining the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances in organic agriculture. The National Organic Program then considers these recommendations for rulemaking and potential adoption into the USDA organic regulations.
Other members comprising the 15-member advisory board include four organic producers, two organic handlers, a retailer, two environmentalists, three public/consumer representatives, a scientist, and a certifying agent.
The 5-year term of office will begin Jan. 24, 2013, and run until Jan. 24, 2018.
For full details concerning the nomination announcement and application requirements, visit www.regulations.gov and enter keyword or ID “AMS-NOP-12-0020; NOP-12-08.” Nomination materials and instructions are also available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBNominationProcess. Applications are due July 30, 2012, and should be sent to Michelle Arsenault, Advisory Board Specialist via email (preferred) at Michelle.Arsenault@ams.usda.gov or by mail at USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 2640-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, D.C. 20250 (postmark by July 30, 2012).
For more information, contact Michelle Arsenault, (202) 720–0081; E-mail: Michelle.Arsenault@ams.usda.gov; Fax: (202) 205–7808 or Patricia Atkins, (202) 260-8636; Email: Patricia.Atkins@ams.usda.gov.
USDA will adhere to all equal opportunity practices when appointing members to the board to account the needs of the diverse groups served by the National Organic Program. The National Organic Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing the organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations.
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