WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2012 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for the Peanut Standards Board.
The board is composed of 18 members that equally represent peanut growers and the industry. Selected nominees will replace six members whose terms expired June 30, 2012, two from the Southeast region (Alabama, Georgia and Florida); two from the Southwest region (Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico); and two from the Virginia/North Carolina region. Nominations must be submitted by Oct. 12, 2012.
The Peanut Standards Board provides guidance on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The board also provides counsel on issues affecting peanut safety and marketability.
The Secretary of Agriculture will select a grower and an industry representative from each region’s pool of nominees. The new members will serve terms that end June 30, 2015. The Secretary will also appoint one additional industry member from the Virginia/North Carolina region to serve the remainder of a term that expires June 30, 2014.
USDA encourages women, minorities and small business owners in the peanut industry to seek board nomination.
Visit www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/PeanutStandardsBoard to learn more or to download a nomination form. If you have questions, please contact the Marketing Order and Agreement Division by phone at (863) 324-3375, fax (863) 325-8793, or e-mail: Jennie.Varela@ams.usda.gov or Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov.
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