ODA Recruiting Commodity Commissioners, April 15

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has 63 open commissioner seats on the state’s agricultural and commercial fisheries commodity commissions. Oregon’s 23 grower funded commodity commissions support promotion, research, and education to improve market conditions for their commodity. They also give industry members direct access to key Oregon agricultural opinion leaders and decision makers. Each commission has a board that includes producer and handler positions. Producers grow or harvest the commodity; handlers are the first to purchase the commodity from the producer and often are processors, distributors, or marketers.  Most commissions also include a member of the public. All commissioners must be US citizens and a Oregon resident. Newly appointed members are required to complete online training on specific statewide policies. To find more information and to apply, please visit https://oda.direct/commissions. ODA Director Alexis Taylor is responsible for appointing commissioners. The director’s decision to appoint is based on a number of factors including experience, commitment to service, and industry counsel. Director Taylor would like to see applicants who represent the diversity among Oregon farmers, processors, and commercial fisheries. Most open appointments are a three-year term beginning July 1, 2019. Some commissions have openings for four-year terms. Several of the appointments will be for less than three years since they will fill unexpired terms. Applications must be received by May 10, 2019. For positions left unfilled, applications may be accepted after the deadline. Some of the Open Commodity Commission positions: Oregon Albacore Commission– 2 producers, 1 handler, 1 public member; Oregon Beef Council– 1 beef producer, 1 feeder/feed lot operator; Oregon Blueberry Commission– 2 producers, 1 handler; Oregon Dairy Products Commission–1 North Willamette producer (Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah & Washington counties), 1 North Coast producer (Clatsop, Tillamook & Lincoln counties), 1 public member; Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission– 1 producer (Port of Brookings), 1 producer (Port of Astoria), 1 handler; Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission– 4 producers, 1 handler.  For more information please contact Kris Anderson at kanderson@oda.state.or.us 503-872-6604 or 503-970-3260.