WASHINGTON, May 16, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 10 members to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. Seven members are new appointments, and three members are re-appointments. Members represent a mix of university, non-profit, and industry representatives.
The NAREEE Advisory Board provides feedback to the Secretary of Agriculture, to USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area, and to Land-grant colleges and universities on food and agricultural research, education, extension and economics priorities and policies. The Advisory Board also provides recommendations on high-priority science needs to agricultural committees of the U.S. Congress.
“The NAREEE Advisory Board is an integral component of USDA’s scientific enterprise,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “USDA relies on these scientific experts to provide evidence-based insight and recommendations as we develop innovative, sustainable, strategic and inclusive science priorities that serve all Americans.”
NAREEE Board members are selected and appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Each NAREEE Advisory Board member represents a specific category of U.S. agricultural stakeholder as outlined in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. These areas include farming, ranching, food production, processing, forestry research, crop and animal science, Land-grant Institutions, other colleges or universities with a historic commitment to research in food and agricultural sciences, food retailing and marketing, rural economic development, and natural resources and consumer interest groups.
NAREEE Board activities are carried out by four committees and subcommittees that are focused on specific agricultural science areas considered by the full committee. Those committees are the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council, the Specialty Crop Committee, the Citrus Disease Subcommittee and the recently established Pollinator Subcommittee.
New or Reappointed NAREEE Advisory Board members are listed below. Each member will serve a 2- to 3-year term.
Dr. Sreekala Bajwa, Vice President for Agriculture, Montana State University, Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (1862 Land Grant University Representative) – New
Dr. V.M. “Bala” Balasubramanium, Professor, Food Engineering, The Ohio State University (Academic/Research Society Representative) – Reappointment
Dr. Mario Ferruzzi, Professor and Director, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center (Academic/Research Society Representative) – Reappointment
Ms. Vanessa Garcia Polanco, Policy Co-Director, National Young Farmers Coalition (Farm/Producer Representative) – New
Dr. Ellen Harris, ARS Associate Area Director, Southeast Area (retired), and former Executive Director, Food First (Industry, Consumer or Rural Interest Representative) – New
Dr. Mark Lawrence, Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mississippi (College of Veterinary Medicine Representative) – Reappointment
Dr. William Lytle, CEO/Founder; Evergreen International Sustainability Solutions (Farm/Producer Representative) – New
Mr. Edwin Kitzes, Land Grant Director, United Tribes Technical College (1994 Tribal College Representative) – New
Dr. Natasha Mast, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University – Kingsville (Hispanic Serving Institution Representative) – New
Dr. Jane Schuchardt, Organic Farmer, Schuchardt Farms (Farm/Producer Representative) – New
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USDA
