The director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture appoints commodity commissioners. The director’s decision to appoint is based on a number of factors including:
Those appointed will receive an Oath of Office that they must have a Notary Public witness. ODA must receive your Oath of Office before commissioners can take any official action.
Commodity commissions are public bodies funded through assessments paid primarily by the growers and harvesters of that commodity. As public bodies, the commissions follow Oregon laws including, but not limited to ethics, public meetings, and public records.
Oregon commodity commissioners are public officials who volunteer their time for the economic betterment of the commodity. Commissioners represent producers (farmers, ranchers, commercial fish harvesters), handlers (the first to purchase the commodity), and the public. Commissioners have a fiduciary responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interests of the commodity as a whole.
Oregon has 22 commodity commissions that operate with oversight from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Hemp will be the 23rd commodity commission beginning January 1, 2022. When recruitment for the Hemp Commission begins, information will be posted on this page.
Commodity commissioners carry out important decision-making for their specific commodity. Each year, commissioners develop and approve a budget using their commodity’s assessments for non-branded promotion, research, and education programs. Commissioners determine the projects and programs to fund with assessments that growers and harvesters pay.
In addition to appointing commissioners, the Oregon Department of Agriculture oversees commission budgets, contracts, and messaging to ensure it is truthful and within the commissions’ statutory authority as set forth in ORS 576, ORS 577 and ORS 578 and related administrative rules.
Looking for more information? Contact any one of the commissions using the commodity commission contact list.
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