Release No.: 078-15

Contact:

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the American Egg Board for the 2016-17 term.

Any non-exempt egg producer within the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia can be considered for nomination. Egg producers owning 75,000 or fewer laying hens are eligible for an exemption. All eligible individuals are invited to express an interest in being nominated by July 31, 2015. An egg producer must be nominated by a USDA-certified organization and should submit a completed application.

Composed of 18 members and 18 alternates representing six regions, the board administers an egg research and promotion program authorized by the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act of 1974. Terms on the board are staggered so that half of the membership is appointed each year in order to provide policy continuity. The Secretary of Agriculture selects appointees from producers nominated by organizations representing the egg industry.

USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by its industry. Diversity includes gender, race, disability, length of service, and size and type of operation. For the contact information of the certified organizations in your state or region, visit: www.ams.usda.gov/beefnominationinformation.

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 farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources 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.

For more information, contact Barbara Josselyn; Research and Promotion Division; Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Room 2610-S – STOP 0251; Washington, D.C. 20250-0251; tel. (202) 690-2611, e-mail Barbara.Josselyn@ams.usda.gov.