Expanded blueberry health and production research efforts. Through this program we will all work together to fund the type of market development programs which create more interest in cultivated blueberries, increase demand and improve our returns. All blueberry growers will benefit from blueberry category growth as we work to create a greater balance between blueberry supply and demand. 1 Importer Member 1 Exporter Member from the major foreign production region 1 Handler Member 1 Public Member Regional and State grower members will be nominated by growers from their area. Two nominees for each of the 13 member and alternate positions will be recommended to the Secretary of Agriculture for assignment.
Members serve a three-year term and can hold their position for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The top vote getter will become the final nominee for member and the second vote getter the nominee for alternate. The third and fourth vote getter will be designated as additional nominees for consideration by the Secretary of Agriculture. A minimum of two nominees for each Board member and alternate position will be submitted to the Secretary for final approval. If adopted, the USA Blueberry Council would function for a five-year period with a continuation referendum at the end of this initial period. The NABC has been exploring methods to increase market development efforts and financial support since November of 1996.