Link: http://www.usda.gov/2005/12/0529.xml Release No. 0529.05 Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623 Billy Cox (202) 720-8998 USDA APPOINTS ORGANIC BOARD MEMBERS WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of six new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The following appointees will serve terms beginning January 24, 2006, and ending January 24, 2011. Certifier member: Joseph Smillie; Consumer/Public Interest members: Daniel Giacomini, Jennifer Hall and Katrina Heinze; Producer members: Kevin Engelbert and Jeffrey Moyer. The new appointees represent a broad spectrum of expertise in the U.S. organic producing and consuming sectors and bring a wealth of experience to the NOSB. Smillie is with Quality Assurance International, a USDA-accredited certifying agent that operates globally to certify organic operations to National Organic Program (NOP) standards. Giacomini is an independent dairy nutrition consultant with years of experience in advising farmers and dairies about organic dairy nutrition. Hall is an advocate for anti-hunger policies and provides consulting to restaurants in Seattle seeking to maintain organic integrity. Heinze is the manager of global regulatory affairs for General Mills where she is responsible for food safety and regulatory matters. Engelbert is a fifth-generation crop and dairy farmer in upstate New York. Moyer is the farm manager at the Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania. The NOSB has 15 members representing all the various interests of organic producers and consumers (4 producers, 2 handlers, 1 retailer, 3 environmentalists, 3 consumers, 1 scientist, and 1 certifying agent). Other members are: Rigoberto Delgado, a livestock producer managing one of the first Hispanic-certified organic operations in Texas; Gerald Davis, a California potato producer; Kevin O'Rell, a food scientist and quality assurance expert with Horizon Organic Dairy; Julie Weisman, a handler with Flavorganics; Bea James, whole health manager with Lund's & Byerly's Food Stores; Andrea Caroe, an environmentalist with Protected Harvest, a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable agricultural practices; Nancy Ostiguy, professor of environmental science and food toxins at Penn State; Michael Lacy, professor of poultry science at the University of Georgia; and Hue Karreman, Pennsylvania dairy veterinarian and environmentalist. To ensure a broad representation of interests on the Board, NOP conducted an aggressive nomination search, contacting over 11,000 organic certified organic producers and handlers. NOP also solicited nominees from the National Directory of Farmers' Market and Direct Marketing Associations; the California Federation of Certified Farmers' Markets; the North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association; Farmer's Market Online; the National Association of Farmers Markets; Southland Farmers' Market Association; Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association; Washington State Farmers Market Association; Anacortes Farmers Market; Bainbridge Island Farmers' Market; and the Black Farmers and Agriculturists Association. The Board is authorized by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and makes recommendations regarding the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for organic operations and also may provide advice on other aspects of the organic program. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees the NOSB. # USDA News oc.news@xxxxxxxx 202 720-4623 ---------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to webservices@xxxxxxxx and reference your email address.
