AMS 019-14

Hakim Fobia, (202) 690-0488

hakim.fobia@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the National Peanut Board. Applications are due by May 1, 2014.

The 11-member board includes a representative and an alternate from each of the primary peanut-producing states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, along with a member at large and alternate representing the smaller peanut producing states.

The board will fill five seats, one each in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia, to replace representatives whose terms expire at the end of this year. Five alternates will also be appointed. Selected members and alternates will serve three-year terms of office. Producer members and their alternates from the remaining states will be selected in upcoming years.

Information sessions will be held in each of the five states seeking nominations. State and board representatives will answer questions about the nomination process and distribute applications to interested candidates in:

Alabama

National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds

5622 U.S. 231

Dothan, Ala. 36301

Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, at 2 p.m.

Florida

2741 Penn Avenue

Marianna, Fla. 32448

Thursday, March 13, 2014, at 6 p.m.

Mississippi

Lake Terrace Convention Center

1 Convention Center Plaza

Hattiesburg, Miss. 39401

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at 3 p.m.

North Carolina

Inn at Moratoc Restaurant

101 East Boulevard

Williamston, N.C. 27892

Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at10 a.m.

Virginia

Southeast 4-H Educational Center

Wakefield, Va. 23888

Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, 9 a.m.

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

If you would like more information about the National Peanut Board, the upcoming nomination meetings or an application, please contact the board’s Vice President of Finance and Compliance, Maria Mehok, by phone at (678) 424-5750, or e-mail at mymehok@nationalpeanutboard.org.

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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