The California Department of Food and Agriculture seeks to fill seats on committees that advise the agency on handling crop pests and diseases and regulating industrial hemp.

Industrial Hemp Advisory Board

The CDFA Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing thirteen (13) vacancies on the Industrial Hemp Advisory Board (IHAB).  There are currently eleven (11) board members with terms of office expiring on May 31, 2020 and Senate Bill 153 added two (2) additional board members, effective January 1, 2020.

The Board advises CDFA and makes recommendations on matters including, but not limited to, industrial hemp seed law and regulations, enforcement, annual budgets, and the setting of an assessment rate.  The term of office for board members is three years.  Members meet at least once per year but may meet more frequently if needed. The members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.

Funded by the industrial hemp industry and implemented by the Industrial Hemp Program at CDFA, enforcement of California Industrial Hemp Law ensures an orderly market of industrial hemp registration and compliance.  The Industrial Hemp Advisory Board makes recommendations to the CDFA Secretary on all matters pertaining to industrial hemp seed law and regulations, enforcement, annual budgets, and the setting of an assessment rate required to accomplish the purposes of the California Industrial Hemp Law.    

The Board has the following vacancies:

• Five (5) of the board members shall be registered cultivators of industrial hemp. 
• Two (2) board members shall be members of an established agricultural research institution (as defined in FAC § 81000).
• One (1) board member shall be a representative as provided by the California State Sheriffs’ Association and approved by the secretary.
• One (1) board member shall be a county agricultural commissioner.
• One (1) board member shall be a representative of the Hemp Industries Association or its successor industry association.
• Two (2) members shall be representatives of businesses that sell industrial hemp products.  
• One (1) board member shall be a member of the public. 

The successful candidates will be appointed to serve a three-year term that expires May 31, 2023.

Individuals interested in being considered for these Board appointments should send a letter of interest, indicating which position(s) they are eligible to fill, and a brief resumé to Michelle Phillips by March 15, 2020 at:

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Pest Exclusion Branch
1220 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Michelle Phillips 

For additional information, visit the Industrial Hemp Program webpage at: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/industrialhemp/, contact the Nursery, Seed, and Cotton Program at (916) 654-0435, or send an email to [email protected].

Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee

The CDFA is announcing one vacancy on the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee. The committee advises the CDFA secretary on activities associated with the statewide citrus specific pest and disease work plan, which includes outreach and education programs as well as surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating pests and diseases specific to citrus.

Members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the Department of Personnel Administration.

A committee member vacancy exists for one grower representative from Ventura County, the member term expires on September 30, 2023. Applicants should have an interest in agriculture and citrus pest and disease prevention. Individuals interested in being considered for a committee appointment should send a brief resume by May 1, 2020 to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division, 2800 Gateway Oaks Dr., Suite 200, Sacramento, California 95833, Attention: Victoria Hornbaker.  

For additional information, contact: Victoria Hornbaker, Director, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division at (916) 654-0317, or e-mail ([email protected]).

Cotton Pest Control Advisory Committee

The CDFA's Integrated Pest Control Branch is announcing one vacancy on the California Cotton Pest Control Board. This Advisory Board makes recommendations to the CDFA Secretary on all matters pertaining to the Pink Bollworm Program.

The term of office for a Board Member is unlimited. The Members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the Department of Personnel Administration.

Members are considered public officials and must be willing to comply with necessary disclosure requirements. The vacancy is for a Merced County cotton grower representative. Individuals interested in being considered for the Board appointment should send a brief resume by May 30, 2020 to:

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Integrated Pest Control Branch
2800 Gateway Oaks Drive, 2^nd Floor
Sacramento, California 95833
Attention: Tiffany Nissen

For additional information, visit the branch's web page at: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/IPC/pinkbollworm/pbw_hp.htm; or contact: Michelle Dennis, Branch Chief of the Integrated Pest Control Branch at (916) 262-1102, by fax (916) 262-2020, or e-mail [email protected].

Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture, which 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.