FV-90 So. Texas onions Background Questionnaire/Nominee Questi

REPRODUCE LOCALLY. Include form number and date on all reproductions. OMB No. 0581-0178

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM

CONFIDENTIAL BACKGROUND STATEMENT

Marketing Order No. 959: Onions Grown in South Texas

The Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) needs the following information to determine whether you are qualified under Marketing Order No. 959 to serve on the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee). Statutory authority to collect the information is provided in 7 U.S.C. 608. Failure to provide this information may hinder your selection by the Secretary.
POSITION	DISTRICT NUMBER
NAME (Please print)	EMAIL ADDRESS
BUSINESS ADDRESS
TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code)		FAX NUMBER (Include area code)
a. YEARS GROWING THIS COMMODITY (If producer)		b. LAST SEASON’S CROP _______ Acres __________ Total Production
c. YEARS HANDLING THIS COMMODITY (If handler)		d. APPROX. QUANTITY HANDLED UNDER THIS PROGRAM
e. FIRM NAME AND YOUR POSITION
5. IS YOUR OPERATION CERTIFIED ORGANIC? □ Yes □ No
6. HAVE SERVED PREVIOUSLY AS (Mark “X” in appropriate space): □ Committee Member □ Alternate Member
7. MEMBERSHIP IN INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS
8. OFFICES HELD OR ANY OTHER PARTICULAR ACTIVITY IN PAST FEW YEARS CONNECTED WITH INDUSTRY PROGRAMS
Marketing order committee members, in their official capacities, are prohibited from taking any action specifically designed to influence legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion concerning legislation. Committee members may not communicate with any official of a State or Federal legislative body for the purpose of attempting to influence legislation. Committee members are also prohibited from attempting to influence State or Federal government actions or policies or those of foreign governments, except as specifically authorized under the marketing order or expressly approved by the Secretary. Committee members are specifically precluded from authorizing the expenditure of marketing order funds for the purpose of attempting to influence legislation or government actions. These same prohibitions apply to committee managers, staff, and contractors, except that committee managers may consult with the Department of Agriculture employees during the pendency of informal rulemaking actions.
If marketing order committee or subcommittee members or committee employees are sued individually or jointly for errors in judgment, mistakes or other acts either of omission or commission (except for acts of dishonesty, willful misconduct, or gross negligence) in the conduct of their duties under the marketing agreement or order, they may be authorized legal defense by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Alternatively, legal defense may be provided through private counsel, if recommended by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and approved by DOJ. USDA and DOJ enjoy an excellent working relationship with respect to providing legal representation for committee members and employees, either by DOJ or through authorized private counsel. USDA is committed to a comprehensive legal defense policy for all committee members and employees acting within the scope of their authorized committee duties and responsibilities.

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT: I certify I meet the eligibility requirements of the Order and I am willing to serve on the Committee.

___________________________________________________________ ________________________________

Signature Date

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0178. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

FV-90 (Rev. 01/2014. Destroy previous editions.)