The Plant Variety Protection Office is seeking candidates for the PVP Board. The term of the present Board will expire in May 2017. Nomination packages must be received on or before April 20, 2017.
PVP Board Aspects:
- It’s composed of 14 members that include farmers, plant breeders, seed industry experts, university professors, and lawyers who have involvement with plant varieties and/or their use.
- The mission of the PVP Board is to provide direction to the PVP Office which ultimately influences the development of new plant varieties by providing an incentive (through intellectual property protection) to the breeders of these varieties.
- The PVP Board usually meets twice per year – one teleconference and one physical meeting.
- Board members serve for 2 years and can be reappointed for up to 3 consecutive terms.
- Self nominations are acceptable
USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by its industry. Diversity includes gender, race, disability, length of service, geographic location, and size and type of business.
In order to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to serve on a board or committee, each applicant must clear all stages of the vetting process. Vetting is a comprehensive personal and professional background investigation that specifically includes, but is not limited to, an analysis of each candidate’s criminal history, bankruptcy filings, liens and judgments, affiliations and associations, lobbyist status, and prior involvement with USDA. This process is used to ensure that the finest candidates are selected to represent the interests of the United States Department of Agriculture.
The submission of a nomination package (an Application for Committee Membership (form AD-755) and resume) should be made on or before April 20, 2017. Nominations should be sent (via mail, express carrier, fax or email) to Paul Zankowski, Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO), Science and Technology, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4512, Washington, D.C. 20250; Telephone: (202) 720-1128; Fax: (202) 260-8976; Email: Paul.Zankowski@ams.usda.gov.