Sec. 203.4. Nominations for advisory board membership

(a)

(1) The commissioner shall cause to be held a meeting or meetings of New York State onion growers in each of the eastern, central and western areas. At these meetings, growers in attendance shall nominate a total of 16 growers to be eligible for appointment as members of the advisory board. Of the 16 nominees, eight shall be growers from the eastern area, four shall be growers from the central area, and four shall be growers from the western area.

(2) The commissioner shall appoint four advisory board members from nominees made from the eastern area, two advisory board members from nominees made from the central area, and two advisory board members from nominees made from the western area. For the central area, one board member must be from Madison County and one from one of the remaining counties in the central area.

(3) The first such grower meeting or meetings shall be called by the commissioner not later than December 31, 1985. Beginning in 1986 in the eastern area, in 1987 in the central area and in 1988 in the western area, triennial meetings shall be held between July 1st and December 31st of each marketing season for as long as this program is in effect.

(b) The commissioner may appoint one person who is neither a producer nor handler to represent the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

(c) Not more than one member shall be appointed from any single grower or handler operation.