AMS No. 233-11
Gwen Sparks
gwen.sparks@ams.usda.gov
(202) 260-8210
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2011 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed five members and five alternates to serve on the Hass Avocado Board. Representatives will serve a three-year term of office ending Oct. 31, 2014.
Members appointed to represent Hass Avocado producers are: Bob Schaar of Fallbrook, Calif.; Tom Sowden of Bonsall, Calif.; Gary Woodworth of Temecula, Calif. and alternate members Will Carleton of Carpinteria, Calif.; Ed Embly of Escondido, Calif.; and Casimir Wytaniec of Park Ridge, Ill.
Newly appointed members representing importers are: Chris Henry of San Diego, Calif.; Javier Campo of Miami Lakes, Fla. and alternate members David Fausset of Ventura, Calif.; and Isabel Cheba-Freeland of San Diego, Calif.
“These appointees represent a cross-section of the industry, and bring a wealth of diverse perspectives and backgrounds to the board,” said Vilsack. “I am confident that producers, importers and others in the Hass Avocado supply chain will be well served by them.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight of the board in accordance with the Hass Avocado Research, Promotion, and Information Act of 2000 and the Hass Avocado Research, Promotion, and Information Order of 2002.
Under the order, domestic producers and importers pay an assessment of 2.5 cents per pound of fresh Hass avocados produced or handled in the U.S., or imported into the U.S. Funds collected are used to conduct generic promotion, research and information projects designed to maintain and expand markets for Hass avocados.
Research and promotion programs are industry driven programs funded through assessments and administered by board members selected by the Secretary of Agriculture. This allows commodity groups to conduct promotion, market and production research and new product development for the benefit of their industries. AMS monitors board operations. Visit https://www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion for more information about research and promotion programs.
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