Release No. 029-15

Contact:

Hakim Fobia (202) 690-0488

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2015 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for the National Honey Board. The board is seeking to fill seven positions -- one first handler, one importer, and one producer, and their respective alternates -- to replace representatives whose terms expire Dec. 31, 2015; as well as one vacant importer alternate position.

All nominations to the National Honey Board must be made by qualified national organizations within the honey industry and include a completed application. The members will serve 3-year terms, except the vacant alternate importer who will complete the remainder of the term that expires Dec. 31, 2016. If you are interested, please contact the National Honey Board for more information. You can visit “About NHB” at www.honey.com or contact the Board’s Chief Executive Officer Margaret Lombard at (303) 776-2337 or by email at Margaret@nhb.org. Inquiries must be made by April 17, 2015.

The National Honey Board is composed of 10 members, including three first handlers; two importers; one importer-handler; one marketing cooperative; and three producers, and their respective alternates.

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 Honey Board.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 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 provides oversight, helping to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

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