The Oregon Department of Agriculture is looking for a few good men and women to fill a range of open commissioner seats. In fact, the department is seeking more than 60 for the state’s agricultural and commercial fisheries commodity commissions.

Oregon has 23 grower-funded commodity commissions that support promotion, research and education to improve market conditions for specific commodities. The groups 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. Producers grow or harvest the commodity; handlers are the first to the purchase the commodity from the producer and often are processors, distributors and marketers. Most commissions also include a member of the public.

All commissioners must be U.S. citizens and Oregon residents. Newly appointed members are required to take online training on specific statewide policies. You can learn more about how to apply at oda.direct/commissions.

Alexis Taylor, ODA director, is responsible for appointing commissioners. The decision to appoint is based on several factors including experience, commitment to service and industry counsel. In a media release announcing the open positions, ODA notes that Taylor would “like to see applicants who represent the diversity among Oregon farmers, processors and commercial fisheries.”

Open position specifics

Most open positions are for a three-year term that starts July 1. Some positions are four-year terms, and several are for less than three years to fill unexpired terms. Applications must be received by May 10. For positions left unfilled, applications may be accepted past the deadline.

Here’s a list of open commission positions:

Oregon Albacore Commission. Two producers, one handler, one public member

Oregon Alfalfa Seed Commission. Two producers, one handler

Oregon Beef Council.  One beef producer, one feeder/feed lot operator

Oregon Blueberry Commission. Two producers, one handler

Oregon Clover Seed Commission. One producer, two handlers

Oregon Dairy Products Commission. One North Willamette producer (Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah and Washington counties), one North Coast producer (Clatsop, Tillamook and Lincoln counties), one public member

Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission. One producer (Port of Brookings), one producer (Port of Astoria), one handler

Oregon Fine Fescue Commission. Two producers statewide

Oregon Hazelnut Commission. Two producers

Oregon Hop Commission. Two producers, one handler, one public member

Oregon Mint Commission. Three producers

Oregon Orchardgrass Seed Commission. One producer, one handler, one public member

Oregon Potato Commission. One Blue Mountain producer (Baker, Union, Wallowa, Grant, Morrow and Umatilla counties), one public member

Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission. One producer, one handler, one public member

Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission. Four producers, one handler

Oregon Ryegrass Seed Commission. One Linn County producer, one state at-large producer, one public member

Oregon Sheep Commission. One public member

Oregon Strawberry Commission. Three producers, one handler

Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission. Two Western Oregon producers (west of Cascades); two Columbia River producers (Hood River and Wasco); one handler of fresh, state at-large

Oregon Tall Fescue Commission. Three producers

Oregon Wheat Commission. One producer from east of the Cascades (not from Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, Sherman, Jefferson, or Wasco counties), one producer from west of the Cascades, one handler

You can learn more by visiting the ODA commodity commissions webpage.

Source: Oregon Department of Agriculture. The source is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.