The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the Hass Avocado Board to fill seats for three producer and two importer members and three producer and two importer alternates. USDA will appoint members and alternates to serve three-year terms from Nov. 1, 2023, through Oct. 31, 2026.
To nominate yourself, or a qualified producer or importer, visit the Hass Avocado Board Nominations website or contact Hass Avocado Board Executive Director Emiliano Escobedo at (949) 341-3250 or by email at ee@hassavocadoboard.com. You may also contact USDA Deputy Director of Marketing Programs Sue Coleman at (202) 378-2569 or by email at Sue.Coleman@usda.gov. The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2023.
The board uses an e-balloting agency and independent certified public accounting firm to conduct an electronic industry vote to choose nominees to be considered for appointment by USDA.
The Hass Avocado Board is industry-funded and supports the national marketing and promotion of Hass avocados. The board is comprised of 12 members, including seven producers and five importers. Each member has an alternate. More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Hass Avocado Board webpage and on the board’s website at hassavocadoboard.com.
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.
AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender