MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association is seeking peanut producers who are interested in serving on the National Peanut Board.

The MPGA will hold nominations to select a member and an alternate to the National Peanut Board during a meeting at 8:30 a.m. April 21. MPGA members may participate in the nominations by video conference at any Mississippi State University Extension Service county office or in person at the Forrest County Extension office, located at 952 Sullivan Drive in Hattiesburg.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently certified the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association as the peanut-producer organization in Mississippi, which makes the organization eligible to nominate peanut producers for National Peanut Board membership.

The USDA requires two nominees for each position of producer member and alternate. The National Peanut Board will submit Mississippi’s slate of nominees to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who makes the appointments. The terms for the Mississippi producer member and alternate will begin in January and conclude at the end of 2011.

All peanut producers are encouraged to participate in the election and to contact their local county Extension office no later than April 17 if they will take part in the video conference.

The National Peanut Board encourages all peanut producers to attend the meeting and run for nomination. It is USDA’s policy that membership on industry/government boards and committees accurately reflect the diversity of individuals served by the programs.

For more information on the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association, contact Michael Howell in the Harrison County Extension office at (228) 865-4227.