USDA Announces Appointments to the Hass Avocado Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of six members to the Hass Avocado Board. Appointed are two producer members, one producer alternate, one importer member, and one importer alternate to fill three-year terms expiring on Oct. 31, 2028. Additionally, one producer alternate is appointed to fill a previously vacant seat whose term expires on Oct. 31, 2026.

Newly appointed members and alternates are:

• Producer Member: John Berns, Temecula, Calif.
• Producer Member: Daniel Harte, Santa Paula, Calif.
• Producer Alternate: Jonathan R. Smith, Murrieta, Calif.
• Importer Member: Robert Ybarra, Pharr, Texas
• Importer Alternate: Rigo Perez Jr., Oxnard, Calif.
• Producer Alternate: Adam Dominguez, Santa Paula, Calif. (term expires October 31, 2026)

The Hass Avocado Board has 12 members, including seven producer members, two importer members, and three producer or importer members who serve in swing seats. Each member has an alternate.

More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Hass Avocado Board webpage and on the board's website hassavocadoboard.com.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 21 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.