The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council to fill seats for 12 members and their alternates for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Nominations are due to the council by May 9, 2025.
The council is seeking nominees for one domestic producer member and alternate from each of the following top eight blueberry producing states: California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington. It is also seeking three importer members and their alternates, and one exporter and alternate to represent Canada.
The council is industry-funded and supports the marketing and promotion of highbush blueberries. It is made up of 21 members who represent the industry with 12 producers, four importers, four foreign exporters and one public member. Each member has an alternate.
You can contact the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council to request an application at elections@blueberry.org or (916) 983-0111. You can also contact USDA Marketing Specialist Jeanette Palmer at (202) 720-5976 or Jeanette.Palmer@usda.gov. Program information is available on the AMS U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council webpage.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
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