The composition of NOSB, as detailed in the Organic Foods Production Act, was carefully designed to ensure balanced stakeholder input into the rulemaking process. This 15-member volunteer citizen advisory board is designed to represent the diversity of the organic community across the United States to help ensure that all perspectives are considered before final recommendations are presented to the Secretary of Agriculture. The number and ratio of seats were allocated intentionally so that sectors must achieve consensus to pass a recommendation, ensuring balance of interest, with none predominating. And, in order for any motion to carry, a two-thirds vote is required to prevent any one interest from controlling the Board. It is this construct that helped give the organic label the credibility that it has today as well as the platform for its exponential growth.
NOSB consists of four farmers, two handlers/processors, one retailer, one scientist, three consumer/public-interest advocates, three environmentalists, and a certifying agent.
You can find the current NOSB Members here.
Each NOSB member is appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for a five-year term. OTA members interested in serving on NOSB may contact Scott Rice for guidance on the nomination process.