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AnnouncementDecember 29, 2015

 

 

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), National Organic Program (NOP) is pleased to announce that Secretary Vilsack has appointed six new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).
 
New Members Appointed to the
National Organic Standards Board

Please join us in welcoming six new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The 15-member advisory board is comprised of representatives from across the organic community. The new members will fill positions designated to represent different sectors of the organic community. Their terms begin on January 24, 2016.
 
Harriet Behar - Wisconsin  
Appointed as an expert in Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation, Harriet Behar has served the organic industry for 27 years. She currently works as a Senior Organic Specialist at the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) and is a Technical Service Provider for the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Ms. Behar is an organic farmer and owner of Sweet Springs Farm in Wisconsin.
   
Jesse Buie - Mississippi
Jesse Buie is one of two new Organic Producer Representatives. Mr. Buie has been farming for 20 years and currently works as President/Farmer of Ole Brook Organics, Inc, which has been certified organic for three years. He is also the President and CEO of Total Care Solutions, a healthcare management firm, and Owner and Chief Pilot of Airtravel South, Inc., a pilot training and aircraft rental company. Mr. Buie is a Veteran of the United States Army Medical Service Corps, last serving as a Major before retirement.

Emily Oakley - Oklahoma
Emily Oakley is one of two new Organic Producer Representatives. Ms. Oakley is the Founding Partner and Co-owner of Three Springs Farm in Oaks, Oklahoma. Three Springs Farm is a 20-acre certified organic vegetable farm. Ms. Oakley received her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an area of emphasis in Sustainable Agricultural Development, from Long Island University and a Masters of Science in International Agriculture Development from the University of California, Davis.

Scott Rice - Oregon
The NOSB's new Accredited Certifying Agent Representative is Scott Rice. Mr. Rice currently works at the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Organic Program as its Organic Accreditation and Quality Manager.  He is a member of Tilth Producers' Policy Subcommittee and is the current Board Chair of the Accredited Certifiers Association.  Mr. Rice earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Evergreen State College in Washington State.
  
Vena Romero-Briones - Hawaii
Vena Romero-Briones has been appointed as a Public Interest or Consumer Interest Representative.  Ms. Romero-Briones works as a Food & Agricultural Consultant for the First Nations Development Institute, and is also the co-founder and Executive Director of non-profit for Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Princeton University, and attended Arizona State University's College of Law. 
    
Daniel Seitz - Massachusetts
Daniel Seitz, J.D., has been appointed as a Public Interest or Consumer Interest Representatives. Mr. Seitz serves as the Executive Director for the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education and also works as a consultant and facilitator for non-profit organizations.  He holds doctorates in both Education and Law. Mr. Seitz serves on the Board for Berkshire Co-op Market and the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation.
     
About the Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) facilitates the competitive and efficient marketing of agricultural products. Through its National Organic Program, AMS facilitates trade and ensures the integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.

About the USDA Organic Insider

The USDA Organic Insider informs the organic community on a wide range of functions, including regulatory updates, requests for public comments, and USDA programs and services.

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