Release No.: 044-16
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for positions on the United Soybean Board.
Vacancies for producer member positions will occur in Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Eastern Region, and Western Region. There are alternate vacancies in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Eastern Region, and Western Region.
Any U.S. soybean producer that owns or shares the ownership and risk of loss of soybeans can be considered for nomination. Nominations are due by April 14, 2016. A soybean producer must be nominated by a Qualified State Soybean Board and submit a completed application.
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.
For a copy of the nomination form and the contact information of the Qualified State Soybean Board in your state or region, visit www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/soybean.
Due to the 2015 reapportionment, the board membership increased from 70 to 73 members, and the representation of states and regions increased from 32 to 33. Missouri, New Jersey, and Wisconsin members have increased by one each. New Jersey, which had been part of the Eastern Region, has maintained a sufficient level of volume production since the last reapportionment to now have its own board member. The board administers a research and promotion program authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act. The Secretary of Agriculture selects appointees from producers nominated by Qualified State Soybean Boards.
Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress and date back to 196 6. 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, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2610-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250; tel. (202) 720-0633, e-mail James.Brow@ams.usda.gov; or fax (202) 720-1125.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).