Press release

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking fluid milk processors and other interested parties to nominate candidates to serve on the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will appoint six individuals to succeed members whose terms expire on June 30, 2016.

USDA will accept nominations for board representation in four geographic regions. It will also fill two at-large positions. Nominees for the 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 of the general public.

The geographic regions with vacancies 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); and Region 10 (Texas). Newly appointed members will serve 3-year terms from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2019.

USDA welcomes membership on industry boards that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the program. USDA encourages all eligible women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to seek nomination for a seat on the board. The USDA factsheet “Be a Voice for Your Industry” describes the responsibilities and benefits of serving on a research and promotion board.

The Fluid Milk Promotion Act established the board 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 four at-large processor members and one member from the general public serve 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 for each nominee by Dec. 23, 2015 to: Emily DeBord, Promotion, Research, and Planning Division, Dairy Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Stop 0233, Room 2958-S, Washington, D.C. 20250-0233, or via email at emily.debord [at symbol] ams.usda.gov. To obtain forms or additional information, call (202) 720-5567. Blank forms are available on the AMS website.