American Egg Board

The egg R&P program operates as the American Egg Board.  The program's goal is to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for eggs and egg products.  The program is funded by a mandatory assessment of 10 cents per 30-dozen case of eggs sold.  Producers owning 75,000 or fewer laying hens may request an exemption from paying assessments.

These assessments, totaling about $20 million annually, fund the American Egg Board, which runs the industry’s research and promotion program under AMS oversight.  The program’s latest economic evaluation shows an estimated rate of return of about $8.11 for every assessment dollar invested in egg promotion.

The program was created and is administered under the authority of the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act of 1974 (pdf).  It became effective August 1, 1976, when the Egg Research and Promotion Order was implemented.  View the American Egg Board Federal Register History.

Organizational Structure

The American Egg Board is composed of 18 producer members and their alternates.  Each year, the Secretary of Agriculture appoints half the Board—for 2-year terms—from nominees provided by eligible producer organizations.

Visit the American Egg Board’s Web Site >

View the List of American Egg Board Members (pdf)

Nominations & Membership

Next Term of Office: All Board members and alternates serve 2-year terms.  No Board member shall serve more than 3 consecutive 2-year terms in the same position.  Approximately half of the Board is appointed each year.

Eligibility Requirements: A nominee to the American Egg Board must be an egg producer or representative

Nomination Process: Nominations to the Board are accepted from certified eligible operations representing producer organizations. USDA determines the eligibility of organizations or associations based on provisions defined in the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act and Egg Research and Promotion Order. Certified industry organizations caucus, usually by conference call, to nominate eligible candidates. The caucuses then submit to USDA first and second choice nominees for every position to be filled.  All nominees are subject to USDA background review.

Below is a list of the three areas and the certified eligible operations within each:

• Area I - East States: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia
• Area II - Central States: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wisconsin
• Area III - West States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

AMS Policy on Board Diversity:   AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of their industries in experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.

Forms

• Form AD-755 - Advisory Committee Membership Background Information
• Form LP-4 Egg Certification Request (pdf)
• Form LP-5 Collecting Handler Registration Statement (pdf)
• Form LP-7 Nominees Agreement to Serve (pdf)

Organic Assessment Exemption

R&P programs allow persons that produce, handle, market, process, manufacture, feed or import “organic” and “100 percent organic” products to be exempt from paying assessments regardless of whether they are a “split” operation.

• Form AMS 15 Organic Exemption

Mailing Address

USDA, AMS, LP, RPD
1400 Independence Avenue, SW.
STOP 0249
Washington, DC 20250-0249

USDA Oversight Contact