The National Honey Board is a research and promotion program that provides the honey industry with consumer information, conducts research, educates health professionals, and brings people together from all corners of the industry to collectively work towards strengthening the market for honey in the United States.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the board to fill seats for four members and four alternates for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Nomination applications are due by June 1, 2025.
The National Honey Board is seeking nominees for one first handler member, one producer member, one importer member, one marketing co-op member, and their alternates.
Only qualified national organizations within the honey industry may nominate members. All nominees must meet the qualifications and submit an application. Producer members and alternates must produce a minimum of 50,000 pounds of honey in the U.S. annually based on the best three-year average of the five most recent calendar years.
A nomination form is available online. You may also contact the National Honey Board at honey@NHB.org or USDA Marketing Specialist Samantha Mareno at (720) 827-4907 or Samantha.Mareno@usda.gov .
The current 10-member board includes three first handlers, three importers, three producers, one marketing cooperative representative, and their alternates. More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Honey Board 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.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.