Release No. 007-15

Contact:

Hakim Fobia (202) 690-0488

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2015 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the National Processed Raspberry Council.

The council is composed of 13 members and 13 alternates, which consists of six producers and alternates from states producing a minimum of three million pounds of raspberries for processing; one producer member and alternate from all other states producing less than three million pounds of raspberries for processing; three importer members and alternates; two foreign producer members and alternates, and one at-large member and alternate. Producers and importers of 20,000 pounds per year or more of raspberries for processing and processed raspberries respectively are eligible for nomination.

The council is seeking to fill two producer member and alternate seats from states producing a minimum of three million pounds of raspberries for processing; one producer member and alternate seat from all other states producing less than three million pounds of raspberries for processing; one importer member and alternate seat; and one foreign producer member and alternate seat. All of the members’ terms would begin on Jan. 1, 2016.

In addition to the above, the following seats are currently vacant and need to be filled: One importer alternate seat; and one public member and alternate seat for terms ending Dec. 31, 2016.

The council has scheduled its next meeting for May 18-19, 2015, in Blaine, Wash.

USDA encourages membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the research and promotion programs. All eligible women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to seek nomination for a seat on the National Processed Raspberry Council.

The National Processed Raspberry Council meets regularly to plan promotion, marketing and research activities that benefit the industry. This national program, which became effective in 2015, is industry-funded and works to develop, maintain, and expand domestic and foreign markets for processed raspberries and raspberries for processing. The Agricultural Marketing Service oversees the council’s activities to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating industry stakeholders.

For more information or a nomination form, please contact the council’s Executive Director Thomas Krugman at (360) 354-0948.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966, when Congress passed the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 research and promotion boards. They empower agricultural industries, including the fruit and vegetable industry, to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which helps to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

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).