Boards & Commissions

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Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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PDA Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Councils

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) values the experience and technical advice provided by the members of its boards, commissions, committees, and councils (AKA, “boards”). These advisory bodies are valued community partners and provide essential guidance on critical topics such as agriculture policies and practices, commodities and marketing, animal health and welfare, and workforce safety and development.

PDA strives to cultivate a balance of expertise and perspective among its boards. To ensure continuity of fair representation, membership positions regularly undergo routine evaluation. Members serve in a voluntary capacity and comprise of a vast array of affiliations such as farmers and farming/rural organizations, academic institutions, environmental organizations, regulated entities, public interest groups, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders with knowledge and interest in the subject matter of the advisory body.

Explore the dropdown menu below to learn more about PDA’s advisory bodies.

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Fairs, Amusement Rides, and Farm Show

Horse Racing

Animal Health and Welfare

Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission

Bureau of Animal Health

Purpose: The Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission (AHDC) was created by Act 148 of 1988 to be a departmental administrative commission. Three (3) accredited veterinarians appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of a majority of the members elected to the Senate. The Act also states that six (6) active farmers appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of a majority of the members elected to the Senate shall sit on the AHDC. In appointing farm members, the Act charged the Governor to consider nominees suggested by statewide farm organizations, the poultry industry and equine and livestock breeding organizations.

Statute: Act 148 of 1988

Meetings: Hybrid or in-person. Meetings occur once every two months on first Thursday

Time commitment: 2.5 hours

Canine Health Board (INACTIVE)

Bureau of Animal Health

Purpose: Selecting 9 veterinarians with expertise in small animal medicine and in caring for and treating of canines.

Statute: 3 P.S. § 459-207

Humane Society Police Officer Board

Bureau of Animal Health

Purpose: To advise the Secretary in the administration of Title 22, Chapter 37. Any person who holds a current appointment under this chapter to act as a humane society police officer for a society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Statute: Title 22, Chapter 37

Meetings: Meetings are both hybrid and in-person and occur once per year

Time commitment: Meetings are 2.5 hours

Dog Law Advisory Board

Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement

Purpose: The secretary shall appoint a Dog Law Advisory Board to advise the secretary in the administration of this act.

Meetings: Hybrid with in-person and virtual option. Meetings are twice per year.

Time commitment: Meetings are 2 times per year approximately 2 hours each. Checking emails, occasionally may be asked to participate in smaller group sessions.

LEC Executive Committee (INACTIVE)

Executive Office

Purpose: Oversees the activities of the Livestock Evaluation Center; establishes policies/rules for bull, ram and boar tests. Committee meets 4x a year.

Statute: No Statutory Authority; formed as an agreement between Penn State University and the Department.

Dairy

Agriculture Marketing and Research

Ag Business Development Committee

Bureau of Market Development

Purpose: The new agriculture advisory committee is part of a partnership established last year between the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Team PA. The advisory committee shall meet as often as necessary to advise the secretary on satisfying the purpose of this chapter and establishing and awarding grants under this chapter.

Statute: Title 3, Chapter 48, Act 40

Meetings: Hybrid with both in-person and virtual options to attend. Meetings occur around once every 3 months but is subject to change. See link to meeting notices here.

Time commitment: ~1 hour per month plus 2-4 hours per meeting.

Ag Law Resource and Reference Council (INACTIVE)

Executive Office

Purpose: The Ag Law Center provides resources focusing on the contemporary agricultural law issues facing PA farmers, landowners and citizens. The Ag Law Center is a collaboration between the PA Department of Agriculture, Penn State's Dickinson School of Law and the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.

PA Apple Program Board

Bureau of Market Development

Purpose: The Pennsylvania Apple Program represents 240 apple growers in Pennsylvania and provides growers with industry research support, consumer education, and national representation in the U.S. Apple Association

Statute: PA Apple Program Order, 2012; Ag Commodities Marketing Act, 2002

Meetings: Morning meetings take place three times per year - January/February, Hershey, 3 hours; July, Virtual, 2 hours; November, Virtual, 2 hours

Time commitment: 2-3 hours per meeting

Aquaculture Advisory Board

Bureau of Animal Health

Purpose:

(1) To encourage aquacultural operators to make a long-term commitment to aquaculture by offering them the same protections afforded other agricultural practices.

(2) To reduce the amount of governmental agencies with jurisdiction over aquaculture by transferring authority over commercial aquacultural operations to the Department of Agriculture.

(3) To encourage further development of the aquacultural industry by including quaculture in any and all promotional and other economic developmental programs.

Statute: PA Title 3, Ch 42, Section 4216

Malt and Brewed Beverage Board

Bureau of Market Development

Purpose: The Board, which will be staffed by five members appointed by the Governor and General Assembly, will oversee a $1 million-per-year grant program designed to increase the production of Pennsylvania-made malt and brewed beverages and the enhancement of the industry in general.

Statute: Act 39 of 2016, Section 446.1; Ag Commodities Marketing Act, 1998

Meetings: Morning meetings take place five times per year - February, Virtual, 3 hours; March/April, Virtual, 3 hours; May, Virtual, 4 hours; July, Virtual, 4 hours; October, Virtual, 4 hours

Time commitment: ~3-4 hours per meeting

Peach and Nectarine Board

Bureau of Market Development

Purpose: The Pennsylvania Peach & Nectarine Research Program represents each producer who grows 500 or more peach and/or nectarine trees, of all ages, for the production for sale or marketing.

Statute: Pennsylvania Peach and Nectarine Research Program, 2014; Ag Commodities Marketing Act, 1998

Meetings: Morning meetings take place twice per year - January/February, Hershey, 2.5 hours; July, Virtual, 2 hours

Time commitment: ~2 hours per meeting

Potato Research Program Board

Bureau of Market Development

Purpose: The Pennsylvania Potato Research Program represents each producer who grows potatoes for the production for sale or marketing

Statute: Pennsylvania Potato Research Program, 2017; Ag Commodities Marketing Act, 1998

Meetings: Morning meetings take place twice per year - January/February, Hershey, 2.5 hours; July, Virtual, 2 hours

Time commitment: ~ 2 hours per meeting

Specialty Crop Advisory Board

Bureau of Market Development

Purpose: This is an advisory board to provide oversight and assist in evaluating grant applications for funding. This board is composed of legislative representatives (Senate and House Agriculture), produce broker, food service, academics, and department of agriculture staff. Board meets annually.

Vegetable Marketing Board

Bureau of Market Development

Purpose: Represents each producer who does one or more of the following during a particular marketing season:

-Grows one or more acres of vegetables within this Commonwealth for the purpose of selling said vegetable;

-Grows vegetables in one or more greenhouses located within this Commonwealth if: (1) the greenhouse(s) is/are used for growing vegetables in 1,000 square feet or more of growing space; (2) the vegetables are grown for sale; and (3) the vegetables are not grown to be transplanted outdoors; or -Grows vegetables within this Commonwealth and sells $2,000 or more of the vegetables grown in a given marketing season.

Statute: Pennsylvania Vegetable Marketing and Research Program, 2018; PA Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act, 1998

Meetings: Meetings take place five times per year - January, Hershey, 2.5 hours; February, Virtual, 2 hours; March, Virtual, 2 hours; June, Virtual, 2 hours; November, Virtual, All Day

Time commitment: Aside from the day-long meeting in November, the other four annual meetings are around 2 hours

Wine Marketing Board

Bureau of Market Development

Purpose: The Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and Research Program Board was established by state law and grants funds collected from producers through the Agricultural Commodity Marketing Act (ACMA). These funds are to be used exclusively for wine production marketing and research

Statute: 3 Pa.C.S. §§ 4501—4513, PA Wine Marketing & Research Program - 2016 Program Order; PA Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act, 1998

Meetings: Morning meetings take place eight times per year - February, Virtual, 4 hours; March/April, Virtual, 4 hours; May, Virtual, 4 hours; June, Virtual, 2 hours; June, Virtual, 2 hours July, AG/Virtual, 2 hours; September, Virtual, 2 hours; November, AG/Virtual, 3 hours

Time commitment: ~2-4 hours per meeting

Environmental

Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Council

Bureau of Plant Industry

Purpose: The Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee (CPNWC) was formed with the passing of the Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Act in October 2017.

Members of the committee include:

-Secretaries and/or their designees from the following agencies: Agriculture(chair), Conservation and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Transportation. Members also include the Executive Director of the Fish & Boat Commission and the Game Commission.

-The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee of the PA Senate and House of Representatives.

-Three appointed positions appointed by the secretary- one from a statewide general farm organization, one from the horticulture, turf, and landscape industry, and one from an institution of higher learning.

Statute: Act 46 of 2017

Meetings: Quarterly meetings are currently virtual but will move to hybrid in the future.

Time commitment: 8 hours per year in meetings; other work on a voluntary basis

Fertilizer Advisory Committee

Bureau of Plant Industry

Purpose: The Fertilizer Advisory Committee provides a forum for representatives from production agriculture, agricultural research, turf maintenance, manufacturing and nutrient management to share information about research, technology and regulations affecting Pennsylvania's fertilizer industry.

Statute: Order of the Secretary. There is no statutory basis for this committee, no statute creating it and no statute granting it any authority.

Meetings: Meetings occur on an as-needed basis. The last meeting was in-person, but virtual options are available at the request of the committee members.

Time commitment: Less than 4 hours per year

Gov Invasive Species Council

Bureau of Plant Industry

Purpose: Members of the public must represent agriculture and natural resource organizations and educational institutions conducting nonnative invasive species research and outreach.

Statute: Executive Order 2017-07 Issued 12/20/17

Meetings: Currently 100% virtual, but will likely transition to hybrid. Meetings are quarterly, March, June, September, December.

Time commitment: Minimum expected commitment is attending quarterly meetings: 2.5 hours each x 4 = 10 hours per year. Many give more time than that to serve on various committees.

Nutrient Management Advisory Board

Bureau of Plant Industry

Purpose: The Nutrient Management Advisory Board (NMAB) was created as part of Act 6, Pennsylvania 1st nutrient management program and repositioned under Act 38 (Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment Act). The NMAB Membership was updated under Act 162 of 2018. The NMAB was created to assist the State Conservation Commission in the development and implementation of Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Program. Current duties of the NMAB are to review and comment on proposed guidance for implementation of the regulations. The NMAB is also used as a "sounding board" for state agencies and programs that interface with animal agriculture.

Statute: 2018 Act 162

Meetings: Meetings are once per quarter and are hybrid.

Time commitment: Meetings are 2-3 hours each

Pesticide Advisory Board

Bureau of Plant Industry

Purpose: The Board shall advise the secretary on any or all problems relating to the use and application of pesticides. This may include pest control problems, environmental or health problems related to pesticide use, and review of needed legislation, regulations, and agency programs.

Statute: Act 24 of 1974

Meetings: Quarterly meetings are currently virtual.

Time commitment: 8 hours per year in meetings; additional time on a voluntary basis.

State Conservation Commission

Purpose: The Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC) is a 14-member commission that has a primary mission to ensure the wise use of Pennsylvania's natural resources and to protect and restore the natural environment through the conservation of its soil water and related resources. The commission provides support and oversight to the state's 66 county conservation districts for the implementation of conservation programs in an efficient and responsible manner.

Statute: CONSERVATION DISTRICT LAW Act of May. 15, 1945, P.L. 547, No. 217

Meetings: Hybrid with both in-person and virtual options. Meetings are held 4 times a year typically in January, April, August, and October. We have 2 formats of meetings. The first is a hybrid business meeting that we hold every other month (Jan, March, May, July, etc.). The second is a briefing conference call where we update SCC members on various issues and topic, but generally do not take actions. This "briefing" session is held in February, April, June, etc.).

Time commitment: Meetings last 2 hours except the August meeting which is typically a 4 – 6 hour joint meeting with DEP's Ag Advisory Board. Our business meetings are a full day commitment. They generally run from 10 AM to 3 PM. Travel may also be involved. Our briefing conference calls are a 1.5 hour commitment. I would also assume that SCC members would also have some prep time to read and understand meeting info that is sent to them in advance. For a business meeting, that may be several hours. For a conference call, it will be minimal.

Meeting Structure - Our current practice is to hold our meetings as hybrid meetings with both in person and remote links through teams or zoom. This could change depending on any potential resurgence of COVID.

Expenses, Travel and Per Diem - We pay travel related expenses for any member that needs to travel for Commission meetings and business. We also pay a per diem for any meeting that members attend. The base per diem is $150, but it has bee adjusted with a cost of living adjustment over the last 15 years.

Preservation and Conservation

Hardwoods

Agriculture Education and Outreach

Workforce Development, Safety, and Nutrition

Emergency Food Assistance Advisory Committee

Bureau of Food Assistance

Purpose: A provision of the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) Act – Act 129 of 1992 – Is the creation of an Emergency Food Assistance Advisory Committee. As outlined in 7 Pa. Code §160.17, the committee meets no less than twice per year to provide information, advice, and guidance to the department on the operation of the State Food Purchase Program, as well as other food assistance programs administered by the Bureau of Food Distribution. Members of the Emergency Food Assistance Advisory Committee are experts in different areas of emergency feeding and nutrition. These members are appointed to the committee by the Secretary of Agriculture, and full membership must be between 10 and 15 members. No more than three members may be state employees.

Statute: 7 Pa Code, Sec 160.17

Meetings: Hybrid meetings with in-person and virtual options. Meetings are from 10am-2pm twice per year, March and October.

Time commitment: Generally 10 hours. No more than 20 hour maximum in one year. In addition to the 8 hours of meeting time, committee members are asked to review materials in advance of committee meetings, and may be asked to participate in ad-hoc sub-committees.

Farm Safety and Occupational Health Advisory Board (INACTIVE)

Purpose: To make recommendations for and monitor farm safety and occupational health programs.

Food Policy Council

Purpose: The Council is established to: Evaluate issues facing Pennsylvania's food system including, but not limited to, developing and implementing strategies to improve food security and nutrition, and reduce food waste; Facilitate coordination of interagency efforts designated to reduce hunger and improve nutrition for Pennsylvania residents over their entire lifespan; Facilitate the organization of private and public sector efforts to improve the Commonwealth's response to challenges in the food system and support food sovereignty.

The Director may establish an Advisory Committee to assist the Council, as appropriate. The Advisory Committee shall be chaired by a member of the Council. The Chair shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at the Governor's pleasure. The Advisory Committee shall consist of sixteen (16) members appointed by the Governor.

Statute: Executive Order 2022-05

Meetings: Hybrid meetings with in-person and virtual options. Meetings are 2 hours and occur quarterly.

Time commitment: 2 hours per quarterly meeting. Depending on number of working group or subcommittee meetings, the time commitment for participation is generally around 15-20 hours annually.

Rural Development

Interested in Serving on a Board?

PDA accepts resumes from prospective advisory committee members on a rolling basis. All information will be kept on file and referred to when advisory committee vacancies occur.

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