California organic program has vacancies on advisory committee

The California State Organic Program’s (SOP) advisory board, the California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC), has announced it is looking to fill nine vacancies on the 30-person committee.

COPAC advises the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the SOP on organic issues, and provides guidance on enforcement, education, outreach, and technical assistance for organic producers.

“Those who serve on CDFA advisory boards for the California Department of Agriculture provide us with highly valued insight,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. That insight assists our department in meeting the ever-changing needs of our growers, producers, processors and consumers.”

The COPAC is comprised of leaders from the California organic industry, including producers, processors, wholesale distributors, a representative of an accredited certifying agency, a consumer, an environmental representative,  a retail representative, and technical representatives with scientific credentials related to agricultural chemicals, toxicology, or food science.

Each of the 15 representatives has an alternate counterpart who fits the same criteria.

The current vacancies include:

•  1 Technical Representative
• 2 Producer Alternates
•  2 Processor Alternates
•  1 Environmental Representative Alternate
• 2 Technical Representative Alternates
• 1 Consumer Representative Alternate

Appointments for advisory committee positions will normally be for three years from the date of appointment. A member may serve for two consecutive terms. After one year of absence from the committee, a former member may reapply for other vacant seats and may be appointed. As needed some appointments may be made for two years to allow staggering of terms. Term limits do not apply to alternates.

To apply or learn more about the committee, visit the COPAC website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/i_&_c/organic_publications.html#COPAC