The recently announced four new members of the National Organic Standards Board, and its existing members, are "vital" for the nation's organic standards updates, a U.S. Department of Agriculture under secretary said in a recent news release.
Much of what members of the National Organic Standards Board do is listen, Jennifer Lester Moffitt, U.S. Department of Agriculture Marketing and Regulatory Programs under secretary, said in the Feb. 4 release.
"Members of the National Organic Standards Board serve a vital role listening to what the public has to say and weighing recommendations for updates to the organic standards through open, transparent and collaborative processes," Moffitt said in the release. "Over the next five years, these new appointees will add their experience to help USDA provide farmers and handlers with the tools they need to meet consumer demand for organic products, and they will help ensure that organic is a part of efforts to build a more climate-smart, resilient, and equitable food system."
Moffitt, who was confirmed as under secretary in August, also expressed "our deepest gratitude to the outgoing members of the board for the dedication and significant contributions they made to the organic community."
The National Organic Standards Board, created by the Organic Foods Production Act and comprised of 15 volunteers representing the organic community, considers and issues recommendations on topics that include handling, producing and processing of organic products. The board also has responsibilities about items on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, according to information on the board's website.
The new members of the board are:
Elizabeth "Liz" Graznak of Missouri, appointed to an environmental protection and resource conservation seat, has a degree in environmental studies.
Allison Johnson of California, an attorney appointed to a public interest or consumer interest group seat, is an organic certifier who has worked with organic regulations.
Dr. Dilip Nandwani of Tennessee, appointed to the board's scientist seat, is a Tennessee State University botany professor whose 10 years of teaching has focused on organic agriculture, certification and crop science.
Javier Zamora of California, appointed to a farmer seat on the board, has worked two decades in agriculture with experience with organic compliance, and direct marketing regulations and channels.
The new members will serve five-year terms, through January 2027.
