Release No. 236-14

Contact:

Hakim Fobia (202)690-0488

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2015 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

The Council is composed of 16 members and 16 alternates. Selected nominees would replace seven members and seven alternates whose terms will expire Dec. 31, 2015. The Council will hold elections to fill eight seats that represent U.S. regional producers and recommend nominees to fill six seats representing importers, exporters and the public.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council meets periodically to review marketing and research activities that benefit the industry. The national program is industry-funded and supports the national marketing and promotion of highbush blueberries. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) oversees board activities.

Nominations for the importer, exporter and public seats are due to the Council by Feb. 9, 2015. Nominations for the regional producer seats are due by Feb. 18, 2015. Visit www.blueberry.org for a copy of the application, or contact Mark Villata, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Executive Director by phone: (916) 983-0111 or e-mail: mvillata@ushbc.org. You may also contact Maureen Pello, USDA Marketing Specialist, by phone: (503) 632-8848 or e-mail: maureen.pello@ams.usda.gov.

USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the programs. All eligible women, minorities and persons with disabilities are invited to seek nomination for a seat on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

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 farmers and ranchers 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 ensures 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).