Release No. 030-15

Contact:

Hakim Fobia (202) 690-0488

hakim.fobia@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, March. 6, 2015 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the Hass Avocado Board.

The board, which is composed of 12 members and 12 alternates, will hold elections to fill four seats for members and four seats for alternates whose terms expire on Oct. 31, 2018. Domestic producers of Hass avocados will fill two member seats and two alternate member seats. Two member seats and two alternate member seats will be filled by Hass avocado importers.

Ballots will be mailed to all eligible domestic producers and importers of Hass avocados, who will select candidates for the producer and importer seats, respectively. Votes will be tabulated for the producer and importer seats, and the top candidates will be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture. Two candidates will be provided for each available seat. The Secretary will then appoint members from the candidates receiving the most votes.

The Hass Avocado Board meets periodically to plan marketing and research activities that benefit the industry. The national program, which became effective in 2002, is industry-funded and supports domestic marketing and promotion of Hass avocados. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service oversees the board’s activities to ensure fiscal responsibility, efficiency, and fair treatment of industry stakeholders.

USDA supports board 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 Hass Avocado Board by the April 6, 2015, deadline.

For more information, visit www.hassavocadoboard.com. For nomination forms or other assistance, contact the board’s Executive Director, Emiliano Escobedo, at (949) 341-3250 or e-mail ee@hassavocadoboard.com. You may also contact Veronica Douglass, USDA Marketing Specialist, at (202) 720-9915 or e-mail veronica.douglass@ams.usda.gov for additional information.

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