[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 19059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08160]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 68 / Thursday, April 9, 2015 / 
Notices  

[[Page 19059]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-15-0005; NOP-15-04]


National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): Call for Nominations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; call for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) was established to 
assist in the development of standards for substances to be used in 
organic production and to advise the Secretary on the implementation of 
the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). Through this Notice, 
The USDA is requesting nominations to fill five (5) upcoming vacancies 
on the NOSB. The positions are as follows: Farmers/growers (2), 
consumer/public interest advocates (2), and a USDA Accredited 
Certifying Agent (1). The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint one 
person to each of these five positions to serve a 5-year term of office 
that will commence on January 24, 2016, and end January 23, 2021.

DATES: Written nominations must be postmarked on or before May 15, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Nomination applications are to be mailed to Rita Meade, 
USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2648-S., Ag Stop 0268, 
Washington, DC 20250; or electronically sent via Email to: 
[email protected]. Electronic submittals by email are preferred.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Arsenault, (202) 720-0081; 
Email: [email protected]; or Rita Meade, (202) 260-8636; 
Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OFPA of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
Section 6501 et seq.), requires the Secretary to establish an organic 
certification program for producers and handlers of agricultural 
products that have been produced using organic methods. The OFPA 
includes the requirement that the Secretary establish an NOSB in 
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. 
App. 2 et seq.). The purpose of the NOSB is to assist in the 
development of a proposed National List of Allowed and Prohibited 
Substances and to advise the Secretary on the implementation of the 
OFPA.
    The NOSB is composed of 15 members; including 4 organic producers, 
2 organic handlers, a retailer, 3 environmentalists/resource 
conservationists, 3 public/consumer representatives, a scientist, and a 
certifying agent. Through this Notice, USDA is seeking nominations to 
fill the following five (5) positions: Farmers/growers (2), consumer/
public interest advocates (2), and a USDA Accredited Certifying Agent 
(1). As per the OFPA, individuals seeking appointment to the NOSB at 
this time must: Own or operate an organic farming operation; represent 
public interest or consumer interest groups; and/or be a certifying 
agent as identified under section 6515 of this title.
    Selection criteria include such factors as: Understanding of 
organic principles and practical experience in the organic community; 
demonstrated experience in the development of public policy such as 
participation on public or private advisory boards, boards of directors 
or other comparable organizations; participation in standards 
development or involvement in educational outreach activities; a 
commitment to the integrity of the organic food and fiber industry; the 
ability to evaluate technical information and to fully participate in 
Board deliberation and recommendations; and the willingness to commit 
the time and energy necessary to assume Board duties; demonstrated 
experience and interest in organic production; organic certification; 
support of consumer and public interest organizations; demonstrated 
experience with respect to agricultural products produced and handled 
on certified organic farms; and such other factors as may be 
appropriate for specific positions.
    To nominate yourself or someone else, please submit: A resume, a 
cover letter, and a Form AD-755, which can be accessed at: 
www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/doc/AD-755.pdf. Resumes must be no longer than 
5 pages, and include at the beginning a summary of the following 
information: Current and past organization affiliations; areas of 
expertise; education; career positions held; any other notable 
positions held. You may also submit a list of endorsements or letters 
of recommendation, if desired. Resume and completed requested 
background information are required for a nominee to receive 
consideration for appointment by the Secretary.
    If USDA receives a request under the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), for records relating to NOSB nominations, your 
application materials may be released to the requester. Prior to the 
release of the information, personally identifiable information 
protected by the FIOA Privacy Act will be redacted.
    Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, 
color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical 
disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the NOSB take into account the needs of the diverse 
groups that are served by the Department, membership on the NOSB shall 
include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated 
ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
    The information collection requirements concerning the nomination 
process have been previously cleared by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under OMB Control No. 0505-0001.

    Dated: April 6, 2015.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08160 Filed 4-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P