Release No.: 057-16
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the 2017 American Lamb Board.
There will be four vacancies on the board in 2017: two vacancies for producers—one position for a producer with fewer than 100 lambs, and one position for a producer with more than 500 lambs; one at-large feeder position; and one first handler position. For the producer positions, one must be from Region 1 and the other may be from either Region 1 or 2. The feeder position can be from either Region. Region 1 is the area east of the Mississippi River and Region 2 is the area west of the Mississippi River.
Any producer, feeder, or first handler within the United States who owns or purchases lambs may be considered for nomination. A lamb producer, feeder, seedstock producer, or first handler must be nominated by USDA Certified Nominating Organizations (CNOs). Each nominee will complete and submit all applicable forms that AMS provides to the CNOs.
CNOs must submit all nominations to AMS by May 16, 2016. For more information on board nominations and to locate the USDA Certified Nominating Organization in your state or region, visit: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/lamb.
USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by its industry. Diversity includes gender, race, disability, length of service, and size and type of operation.
Composed of 13 members representing two geographical regions, the board administers a research and promotion program authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1966. The Secretary of Agriculture selects appointees from nominees submitted by USDA Certified Nominating Organizations.
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 agricultural industries by establishing a framework for them to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, helping to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.
For more information, contact James Brow, Research and Promotion Division; Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; Room 2610-S; STOP 0249; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0249; Tel. (202) 720-0633, e-mail James.Brow@ams.usda.gov or fax (202) 720-1125.
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