Release No.: 087-15
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for candidates to serve on the Cotton Board.
The Cotton Board is composed of representatives of cotton producers and importers. Representatives are selected by the Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by certified producer organizations (CPO) and certified importer organizations (CIO), as outlined by the Cotton Research and Promotion Order.
USDA is seeking nominees to fill 7 member and 7 alternate positions for vacancies representing cotton producers from Arizona, Georgia, Texas, as well as importers. These positions have terms that begin on Jan. 1, 2016, and end Dec. 31, 2018. Members and alternates serve staggered three-year terms with no term limits.
The CPOs in respective states and the CIOs will caucus to nominate two qualified persons for each member and alternate member position. The Secretary shall select members and alternates from those nominations.
USDA welcomes membership on industry boards that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the programs. USDA encourages all eligible women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to seek nomination for a seat on the Cotton Board.
The cotton research and promotion program is designed to advance the position of cotton in the marketplace. It is funded by assessments on all domestically produced cotton and imports of foreign-produced cotton and cotton-containing products, and is authorized by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966. AMS oversees operations of the board.
For nominating information, including organizations seeking certification, or for a list of CPOs and CIOs, contact Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Va., 22406, telephone (540) 361-2726, facsimile (540) 361-1199, or email at Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.
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