USDA appoints 5 to National Organic Standards Board

The USDA added five new members to the National Organic Standards Board, which is composed of 15 members from the organic community.

The new members, who will serve five-year terms from January 2025 through January 2030, include:

• Handler seat — Kathryn Deschenes, director of regulatory affairs at Danone.
• Handler seat — Amanda Felder, organic integrity and environmental compliance manager at Taylor Farms.
• Retailer seat — Andrea Hatziyannis, category strategy manager for Sprouts Farmers Market
• Environmental protection and resource conservation seat — Cathleen McCluskey, policy and advocacy director for Organic Seed Alliance
• Farmer seat — Corie Pierce, owner and operator of Bread & Butter Farm.

Felder oversees the organic compliance of a network of farming, food processing and manufacturing operations at Taylor Farms. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Hatziyannis brings 20 years of industry experience in product development, retail and research. She holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in food science.

“The National Organic Standards Board plays a key role in bringing together the organic community, and we are thrilled to welcome our five new members. They bring a wide diversity of experience and expertise; and will help guide the sector as it continues to grow,” Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said in a news release. “We also appreciate and extend our gratitude to the outgoing members of the board for their dedication and work on behalf of the entire organic community.”