The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed Jerry D’Amore, who has worked in agriculture for more than four decades, including a focus on berry companies for half that, to the National Organic Standards Board.
D’Amore, who has a Watsonville, Calif., consulting business, currently works with Munger Farms. He has been director of sourcing and new business development for SunnyRidge Farm (later acquired by Dole Food Co.), and was vice president of agricultural development for Clear Springs LLC. He has also worked for Driscoll’s and Chiquita Brands International.
“D’Amore has extensive experience in agricultural supply chain management, skills particularly relevant to support the integrity of organic products,” according to a news release from the USDA, which oversees the National Organic Program.
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommends to the National Organic Program which substances can be used in organic production, and advises on issues concerning production, handling and processing of organic products.
The 15 NOSB members serve five-year terms. D’Amore, who is a handler member of the board, and four other new appointees start their terms in January.
“We appreciate the great work of the outgoing board members,” Jennifer Tucker, who heads the USDA National Organic Program, said in the release. “We know that these new members and our ten continuing members will keep the board representative of the knowledge, needs and passion of the community we serve.”
Other new appointees are:
- Nathan Powell-Palm, who operates Cold Spring Organics, a Belgrade, Mont., grains, row crops and cattle operation;
- Kimberly Huseman, director of specialty ingredients for Greeley, Colo.-based Pilgrim’s;
- Mindee Jeffery, grocery manager of Eastside Food Co-op, Minneapolis; and
- Wood Turner, senior vice president of sustainability for Agriculture Capital, San Francisco.
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