Notice2025-12951
National Organic Standards Board Call for Nominations
Primary source
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Published
July 11, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAgricultural Marketing Service
Abstract
Through this Notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing its call for nominations to fill five vacancies on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): two individuals who own or operate an organic farming operation or employees of such individuals; two individuals who represent public interest or consumer interest groups; and one individual who is a USDA accredited certifying agent. Appointees will serve a 5-year term beginning in January 2026 and ending in January 2031. Additionally, USDA seeks nominations for a pool of candidates that the Secretary of Agriculture can draw upon as replacement appointees if unexpected vacancies occur.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 131 (Friday, July 11, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 131 (Friday, July 11, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30836-30837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-12951]
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Notices
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 131 / Friday, July 11, 2025 /
Notices
[[Page 30836]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-24-0082]
National Organic Standards Board Call for Nominations
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; call for nominations.
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SUMMARY: Through this Notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
is announcing its call for nominations to fill five vacancies on the
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): two individuals who own or
operate an organic farming operation or employees of such individuals;
two individuals who represent public interest or consumer interest
groups; and one individual who is a USDA accredited certifying agent.
Appointees will serve a 5-year term beginning in January 2026 and
ending in January 2031. Additionally, USDA seeks nominations for a pool
of candidates that the Secretary of Agriculture can draw upon as
replacement appointees if unexpected vacancies occur.
DATES: Application packages must be received by mail or postmarked on
or before September 9, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Applications can be sent via email to Michelle Arsenault at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#317c585259545d5d541f704342545f50445d4571444255501f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5e13373d363b32323b701f2c2d3b303f2b322a1e2b2d3a3f70393128">[email protected]</span></a> or mailed to: USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Room 2642-S, Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC
20250-0268. Electronic submittals are preferred.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Arsenault, (202) 997-0115;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#521f3b313a373e3e377c132021373c33273e2612272136337c353d24"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="baf7d3d9d2dfd6d6df94fbc8c9dfd4dbcfd6cefacfc9dedb94ddd5cc">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For information on how to apply, please see
the nominations process page: <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/nomination-process">https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/nomination-process</a>.
The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501-
6524), required the Secretary to establish the National Organic
Standards Board (NOSB) in accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act. The 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 OFPA.
The NOSB is composed of 15 members:
<bullet> Four individuals who own or operate an organic farming
operation, or employees of such individuals;
<bullet> Two individuals who own or operate an organic handling
operation, or employees of such individuals;
<bullet> One individual who owns or operates a retail establishment
with significant trade in organic products, or employees of such
individuals;
<bullet> Three individuals with expertise in areas of environmental
protection and resource conservation;
<bullet> Three individuals who represent public interest or
consumer interest groups;
<bullet> One individual with expertise in the fields of toxicology,
ecology, or biochemistry; and
<bullet> One individual who is a certifying agent.
Per OFPA, under 7 U.S.C. 6518, individuals seeking appointment to
the NOSB must meet the qualifications for the relevant vacancy (e.g.,
demonstrated experience and interest in organic production and organic
certification, demonstrated experience with respect to agricultural
products produced and handled on certified organic farms, or experience
with consumer and public interest organizations). Applicants should
also consider the additional selection criteria the NOSB recommended on
June 10, 1999, included below and on the following web page: <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/nomination-process">https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/nomination-process</a>.
<bullet> A general understanding of organic principles and
practical experience in the organic community;
<bullet> Demonstrated experience in the development of public
policy such as participation on public or private advisory boards,
boards of directors, or other comparable organizations;
<bullet> Participation in standards development or involvement in
educational outreach activities;
<bullet> A commitment to the integrity and growth of the organic
food and fiber industry;
<bullet> The ability to evaluate technical information and to fully
participate in NOSB deliberation and recommendations;
<bullet> The willingness to commit the time and energy necessary to
assume NOSB duties; and
<bullet> Other such factors as may be appropriate for specific
positions.
To apply, submit the following: a resume (required); Form AD-755
(required), which can be accessed at: <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755-advisory-committee-commodity-board-background-information.pdf">https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755-advisory-committee-commodity-board-background-information.pdf</a>; a cover letter (optional); and letters of
recommendation (optional). Resumes should be no longer than five (5)
pages and should include the following information: the position for
which you are applying; current and past organization affiliations;
areas of expertise; education; career positions held; and any other
notable, relevant positions held. Previous applicants who wish to be
considered must reapply.
If USDA receives a request under the Freedom of Information Act (5
U.S.C. 552) for records relating to NOSB nominations, application
materials may be released to the requester. Prior to the release of the
information, personally identifiable information protected by the
Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) will be redacted.
Equal opportunity practices, in accordance with USDA policies, will
be followed in all membership appointments to the Committee.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
AMS encourages submissions from qualified applicants, regardless of
[[Page 30837]]
``persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages
other than English.''
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) previously cleared the
information collection requirements concerning the nomination process
under OMB Control No. 0505-0001.
Dated: July 8, 2025.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2025-12951 Filed 7-10-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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