Opportunity to Lead The American Pecan Council

The American Pecan Council, the federal marketing order working to increase the demand and value of U.S. pecans, is pleased to invite nominations for new members to serve a four-year term of office beginning on Oct. 1, 2024. Seats are currently open for five growers, three shellers, one accumulator, and one public member, as well as their respective alternate seats.

Producers and shellers can request a nomination form by contacting forms@americanpecan.com or visiting www.AmericanPecan.com.

“The American Pecan Council is working to quickly and assertively expand the position of U.S. pecans, and it’s critical that we have strong leaders at the Council table to direct this growth,” said Anne Warden, CEO of the APC. “Whether it is supporting exports or building demand for pecans here at home, a diverse set of Council members ensures we keep the APC’s work centered on what’s best for the entire industry’s success.”

Nominations opened on March 1 and will be accepted through April 1, 2024. Ballots with nominees will then be mailed to eligible voters on May 1, 2024, and must be received by June 15, 2024.

“Serving on the Council has been an incredible opportunity to connect with industry members across the country and stand up for the industry I love,” said Larry Don Womack, APC Chairman. “We’ve got a top-notch staff and strong marketing programs, but it’s essential that we have new members who bring a fresh perspective and unique view of the challenges and opportunities we face.”

To be eligible to serve, a grower or producer must produce a minimum of 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans during a representative period (2020-2023) or own a minimum of 30 pecan acres. Sheller refers to any person who converts inshell pecans to shelled pecans and sells the output in any and all markets in the stream of commerce, both within and outside of the production area. The term “sheller” shall only include those who shell more than 1 million pounds of inshell pecans in a fiscal year. Under the FMO, accumulator means a person who compiles inshell pecans from other persons for the purpose of resale or transfer. The public member and alternate public member may not have any financial interest, individually or corporately, or affiliation with persons vested in the pecan industry.

For nomination information, contact the Council CEO Anne Warden at (817) 916-0200 or by email at awarden@americanpecan.com, or USDA Marketing Specialist Abigail Maharaj at (863) 324-3375 or by email at Abigail.Mahraj@usda.gov.

The Council consists of nine grower members, six sheller members, one accumulator member, and one public member. Each member will have one alternate. More information about the Council is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) American Pecan Council webpage or the Council’s website at americanpecan.com.

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually.