Ellor appointed to National Organic Standards Board.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the appointment of four new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to serve terms beginning Jan. 24, 2007 and ending Jan. 24, 2012. The new appointees--Tracy Miedema, Consumer/Public Interest member; Tina Ellor, Environmentalist member; Steve DeMuri, Handler member; and Katrina Heinze, Scientist member--bring to the NOSB a broad spectrum of scientific, environmental, and food quality control expertise from the U.S. organic handling and consuming sectors. Ellor is the technical director of Phillips Mushroom Farms and has been active in small farm and rural development in Pennsylvania.

The NOSB has 15 members representing all sectors and interests of organic producing, handling, and consuming (4 producers, 2 handlers, 1 retailer, 3 environmentalists, 3 consumers, 1 scientist and 1 certifying agent). The NOSB is authorized by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and makes recommendations regarding the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for organic operations. The NOSB also may provide advice on other aspects of the organic program. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees the NOSB.