AMS No. 230-12

Sam Jones-Ellard, (202) 660-2268

Samuel.Jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is asking fluid milk processors and other interested parties to nominate candidates for the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board.

The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint seven individuals from those nominated to succeed members whose terms expire June 30, 2013. Appointed members will serve three-year terms from July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2016.

USDA will accept nominations for board representation in five geographic regions and two at-large positions. Nominees for the five regional positions must be active owners or employees of a fluid milk processor. At least one at-large position must be a fluid milk processor. The other at-large position may be either a fluid milk processor or a member from the general public. The geographic regions are: Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont); Region 4 (Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina); Region 7 (Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin); Region 10 (Texas); and Region 13 (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming).

The board was established by the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990, as amended, to develop and administer a coordinated program of advertising and education to promote fluid milk products. Of the board's 20 members, 15 represent geographic regions and five are at-large members. The at-large members must include at least three fluid milk processors and at least one member from the general public. Currently, there are four at-large processor members and one member from the general public serving on the board.

USDA welcomes membership on industry boards that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the programs. USDA encourages all eligible women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to seek nomination for a seat on the board.

Fluid milk processors and interested parties may submit nominations for regions in which they are located or market fluid milk and for at-large members. To nominate an individual, please submit a copy of the nomination form and a signed background form for each nominee by Nov. 23, 2012 to: Whitney Rick, Director, Promotion, Research and Planning Division, Dairy Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Stop 0233, Room 2958-S, Washington, D.C. 20250-0233 or via email at whitney.rick@ams.usda.gov. To obtain forms or additional information, call (202) 720-6909. Blank forms are available on the Dairy Promotion and Research Branch’s website at www.ams.usda.gov/Dairy.

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