Secretary Vilsack Names Members to the Mushroom Council [October 14, 2014, News Release]

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Names Mushroom Council Members [November 21, 2011, News Release]

Mushroom Producers and Importers Vote to Implement Amendments to Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order [August 07, 2009, News Release]

Amendments to Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order; Final Rule. Docket Number: AMS-FV-08-0047; FV-08-702-FR. EFFECTIVE: October 2, 2009. [October 02, 2009, Final Rule]

Amendments to Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order; Referendum Order. Docket Number: AMS-FV-08-0047; FV-08-702-PR2. EFFECTIVE: April 7, 2009. Voting Period: July 6, 2009 – July 17, 2009. [June 05, 2009, Proposed Rule]

The Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order (Order) [7 CFR Part 1209] is authorized by the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (Act) [7 U.S.C. 6101-6112], which was signed into law on November 28, 1990. After notice and comment rulemaking, and a referendum among producers and importers, the Order became effective on January 8, 1993. In a continuance referendum held in February-March 1998, continuance of the program was favored by 80 percent of the producers and importers who voted and those producers and importers represented 70 percent of the mushrooms produced and imported by those voting in the referendum.

The Council collects assessments on fresh market mushrooms produced in or imported into the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Producers and importers who produce or import, on average, over 500,000 pounds of mushrooms annually are assessed. First handlers collect the assessment from producers and remit the assessment to the Mushroom Council (Council). The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) collects the assessment on imported mushrooms. The assessment rate is 0.005 cents per pound.

For calendar year 2015, the Council’s budget for its research and promotion program is $4.5 million. The Council reimburses the federal government for the cost of administering the program.

There are nine members on the Council. The United States is divided into three production regions for the purpose of nominating members to the Council. Each region with average annual production of 50 million pounds or more is entitled to one member on the Council. Each region is entitled to additional Council members based on additional annual production. The volume of imports reached 50 million pounds and a separate region was established for importers.

The Council has three full-time employees located in San Jose, California.

For R&P programs to be successful in leading and advancing American agriculture, it is essential that their board members reflect the full diversity of American agriculture.

Read the blog – Hearing First Hand How Diversity Matters

View a short video featuring representatives from the National Mango Board, National Dairy Board, National Pork Board, National Watermelon Board, and the Cotton Board.