USDA Seeks National Honey Board Nominees

AMS No. 047-14

Contact:Hakim Fobia (202) 690-0488hakim.fobia@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2014 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the National Honey Board.

The National Honey Board is composed of 10 members -- three first handlers, two importers, one importer-handler, one marketing cooperative, and three producers -- and their respective alternates.

The board will fill three seats -- one first handler, one importer-handler, and one producer -- and their respective alternates, to replace representatives whose terms expire at the end of this year. All nominations to the National Honey Board must be made by qualified national organizations within the honey industry and include a completed application. Each selected member and alternate will serve a three-year term of office.

The USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the research and promotion program. All eligible women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to seek nomination for a seat on the National Honey Board.

If you are interested, please contact the National Honey Board by visiting “About NHB” at www.honey.com, calling Chief Executive Officer Bruce Boynton at (303) 776-2337, or by emailing bruce_boynton@nhb.org. You may also contact Kimberly Spriggs, AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program Marketing Specialist at (202) 720-9915 or (888) 720-9914 (toll free) or via email at Kimberly.spriggs@ams.usda.gov. Inquiries must be made by April 15, 2014.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 21 research and promotion boards. They empower agricultural industries by establishing a framework for them to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, helping to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).