ODA Looking For Commodity Commissioners

The Oregon Department of Agriculture announced Thursday that they are in need of 63 people to fill commodity commission openings. The state’s 23 grower funded commissions support promotion, research, and education to improve market conditions for their commodity. The ODA added the commissions 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, and many also include a member of the public. Most terms run for three years. All commissioners must be US citizens and a Oregon resident. Newly appointed members are required to complete online training on specific statewide policies. Click Here to find more information and to apply.

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.

Open Commodity Commission positions:

Oregon Albacore Commission– 2 producers, 1 handler, 1 public member
Oregon Alfalfa Seed Commission– 2 producers, 1 handler
Oregon Beef Council– 1 beef producer, 1 feeder/feed lot operator
Oregon Blueberry Commission– 2 producers, 1 handler
Oregon Clover Seed Commission– 1 producer, 2 handlers
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 Fine Fescue Commission– 2 producers statewide
Oregon Hazelnut Commission– 2 producers
Oregon Hop Commission– 2 producers, 1 handler, 1 public member
Oregon Mint Commission– 3 producers
Oregon Orchardgrass Seed Commission– 1 producer, 1 handler, 1 public member
Oregon Potato Commission– 1 Blue Mountain producer (Baker, Union, Wallowa, Grant, Morrow & Umatilla counties), 1 public member
Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission– 1 producer, 1 handler, 1 public member
Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission– 4 producers, 1 handler
Oregon Ryegrass Seed Commission– 1 Linn County producer, 1 state at large producer, 1 public member
Oregon Sheep Commission– 1 public member
Oregon Strawberry Commission– 3 producers, 1 handler
Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission– 2 Western Oregon producers (west of Cascades), 2 Columbia River producers (Hood River and Wasco), 1 handler of fresh state-at-large
Oregon Tall Fescue Commission– 3 producers
Oregon Wheat Commission– 1 East of Cascades producer (not from Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, Sherman, Jefferson, or Wasco counties), 1 West of Cascades producer, 1 handler