organic foods

USDA Seeks Nominations for the National Organic Standards Board

Dan Industry News Release, Organic

national organicThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations to fill an upcoming vacancy on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a Federal advisory committee. Written nominations, with cover letter, resume, and an advisory committee background information form, must be postmarked or received on or before by Aug. 7, 2017.

The 15 member NOSB includes four organic farmers; two handlers; three experts in environmental protection and resource conservation; three representatives of public interest or consumer groups; an expert in toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry; an organic retailer; and an organic certifying agent representative. For this Call for Nominations, the USDA seeks applications from individuals with expertise in areas of environmental protection and resource conservation. The appointee will serve a 5-year term of office beginning Jan. 24, 2018.

USDA is also seeking nominations for a pool of candidates to fill future midterm vacancies in any of the position categories. A person appointed to fill an unexpired term will serve for the remainder of the 5-year term of the vacating member.

The NOSB was established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, helping develop standards for substances used in organic production and advising the Secretary of Agriculture on aspects of the National Organic Program.

For more information, visit the NOSB Nominations Page on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website.