The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the Peanut Standards Board to fill seats for six producers and six industry representatives. Six seats will be appointed for two-year terms of office ending June 30, 2028, and six seats will be appointed for three-year terms of office ending June 30, 2029. Nominations will be accepted by mail and email, and nomination forms must be submitted to the board by April 17, 2026.
The board is seeking nominees for producers and industry representatives for the following areas:
PRODUCERS
• Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia) – two members
• Southwest (New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) – two members
• Virginia/Carolina (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina) – two members
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES
• Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia) – two members
• Southwest (New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) – two members
• Virginia/Carolina (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina) – two members
Interested nominees must submit an Advisory or Research and Promotion Background Information (AD-755) form to Steven.Kauffman@usda.gov or by mail to the Southeast Region Branch, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1124 1st Street South, Winther Haven, FL 33880. For additional nomination information, contact USDA Marketing Specialist Steven Kauffman at (863) 324-3375 or Steven.Kauffman@usda.gov.
To qualify as a producer member, nominees must be engaged in a proprietary capacity in the production of peanuts for market. To qualify as an industry representative, eligible nominees include, but are not limited to, representatives of shellers, manufacturers, buying points, marketing associations and marketing cooperatives.
The board is comprised of 18 members. Nine members represent producers and nine members represent industry representatives. More information about the board is available on the Peanut Standards Board webpage on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website.
Authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill, the board recommends updates to the minimum quality standards, food safety requirements, and aflatoxin screening for USDA consideration.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.