USDA is looking for nominees to serve on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a federal advisory committee that provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act.
USDA and its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) seek nominations for five positions to serve on the NOSB from January 2017 to January 2022:
- Organic producer who owns or operates an organic operation;
- Individual with expertise in areas of environmental protection and resource conservation;
- Representative of a public or consumer interest group;
- Organic handler or processor who owns or operates an organic handling operation; and
- Scientist (toxicology, ecology or biochemistry).
NOSB members are volunteers and come from across the organic community. Each member is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to a five-year term.
Duties include: attending committee meetings (travel paid by USDA), participating in bi-monthly subcommittee conference calls, reviewing materials and/or recommending changes to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, and advising the secretary on other aspects of the USDA organic regulations.
Additionally, the USDA is seeking nominations for a pool of candidates to fill future unexpected vacancies in any of the seven position categories, should unexpected vacancies occur. A person appointed to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the five-year term of the vacant position.
Written nominations must include a cover letter, resume, and an AD-755 Application Form, and must be postmarked on or before June 3.
For more information, see the Call for Nominations Flyer or the NOSB Nominations Webpage.
