USDA is seeking nominees for three National Organic Standards Board seats, including one reserved for an organic farm owner, operator or their employee. Applications are due December 28, 2026, for five-year terms beginning in January 2027 and ending in January 2032.
The other openings are for a representative of a public interest or consumer interest group and a specialist in toxicology, ecology or biochemistry. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service outlined the vacancies in a notice dated October 21 and scheduled for the October 26 Federal Register.
A role in organic standards
The 15-member board helps develop standards for substances used in organic production and advises the agriculture secretary on implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act. Four of its seats represent organic farm owners, operators or their employees.
That advisory work sits within a national regulatory program. In a September notice, USDA described the National Organic Program’s statutory purposes as establishing consistent organic marketing standards, assuring consumers that organic products meet those standards and facilitating interstate commerce in organic food.
Qualifications and application materials
Applicants must meet the qualifications for the seat they seek. The notice also lists recommended selection criteria, including practical organic experience, public-policy or standards-development experience, the ability to evaluate technical information and willingness to devote time to board duties.
Required materials are a resume and Form AD-755. Cover letters and recommendation letters are optional. Resumes should run no longer than five pages and identify the seat sought, organizational affiliations, expertise, education and relevant career positions. Previous applicants must reapply.
USDA prefers electronic submissions. The notice says mailed application packages must be received or postmarked by December 28. Applicants can find instructions and the required form through USDA’s National Organic Standards Board nomination-process page.
USDA is also seeking candidates for a pool the agriculture secretary can use to fill unexpected vacancies. Applicants should note that nomination materials may be released under the Freedom of Information Act, with protected personally identifiable information redacted.
