The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for candidates to serve on the Cotton Board composed of representatives of cotton producers and importers, according to a recent press release.

Representatives are selected by the Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by certified producer organizations (CPO) and certified importer organizations (CIO), as outlined by the Cotton Research and Promotion Order.

USDA is seeking nominees to fill 17 member and 17 alternate positions for vacancies representing cotton producers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, as well as importers. These positions have terms that begin on Jan. 1, 2017, and end Dec. 31, 2019. Members and alternates serve staggered three-year terms with no term limits.

For nominating and caucus information, including organizations seeking certification, or for a list of CPOs and CIOs, contact Shethir M. Riva, research and promotion staff, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Va., 22406; by telephone at (540) 361-2726, facsimile (540) 361-1199 or email at Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.