Five Californians have been appointed as members or alternates to the Cotton Board and will serve three-year terms that end Dec. 31, 2023.

Producer Dustin Mancebo and importers Scott Johnson and Debi Gregg, all from the Golden State, were among 11 members reappointed to the 39-member board.

California producer Matthew Cauzza and importer Susanne St. Onge-Simpson were among three people newly appointed as alternate members. There are 39 total alternates.

In total, the USDA appoints 13 members and 13 alternates each year for three-year terms.

“On behalf of The Cotton Board, I would like to thank these appointees for their willingness to share their time and expertise with the cotton industry,” said Jimmy Webb, Georgia cotton producer and current Chairman of he Cotton Board.

“These leaders in the industry collectively represent the interests of both cotton importers and cotton producers to provide oversight and direction to the Cotton Research & Promotion Program, with the common goal of improving the profitability of the entire cotton industry,” he said in a statement.

The Cotton Research & Promotion Act established the Cotton Board as a quasi-governmental, non-profit entity to serve as the administrator of the Cotton Research & Promotion Program.

Funded by America’s cotton producers and importers through the cotton check-off, the program’s research and promotion activities are conducted worldwide by Cotton Incorporated, the Cotton Board’s sole-source contracting organization, to increase the demand for and improve the market position of cotton.

To get involved, visit www.cottonboard.org or call the USDA at (540) 361-2726.