The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of five individuals to serve on the National Honey Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms from Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2024.
Members appointed or reappointed are:
- Tom Sargeantson, New Canaan, Connecticut - Importer Member
- Mindy Ryan Tharp, Hillsboro, Kansas - First Handler Member
- Jeff Caley, Lancaster, Pennsylvania - First Handler Alternate
- Matt Halbgewachs, Driftwood, Texas – Producer Member
- Darren Cox, Mendon, Utah - Producer Alternate
The 20-member National Honey Board is comprised of three first handler representatives, three importer representatives, three producer representatives, one marketing cooperative representative and their alternates.
More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Honey Board webpage.
AMS policy is that diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of its industries in terms of the 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.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight to 22 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender