NCPN Governing Body (Tier 1)
The top tier of the NCPN structure is the "NCPN Governing Body" - the Core Working Group plus 7 appointed members. The primary functions of the Tier 1 body are to set NCPN program policy and provide/allocate the NCPN funds to the various commodity networks.
The NCPN is a commodity-based organization. The only two commodities that have organized into networks and applied for funding as of 2008 are grapes and fruit trees.
The Core Working Group (CWG) consists of a representative from each of three USDA agencies: APHIS, ARS, and CSREES. The CWG members will not be voting members of the NCPN Governing Body but can veto decisions made by that body. The APHIS representative will act as the CWG Chair for the first year, and the Chair shall rotate in subsequent periods among the federal members.
The CWG appoints the 7 voting members of the Governing Body. The voting members shall include one Fruit Tree Network member, one Grape Network member, one state department of agriculture employee, one CGC employee, and three other invited members.
The Federal Advisory Council Act (FACA) provides that only federal or state employees can participate in the distribution decisions for federal money. The CWG is required to appoint state or federal employees to act as voting members on the NCPN Governing Body. The question of whether university employees are state employees is under examination. Non-voting subject matter experts will be invited to meetings as observers.
The CWG intends to recruit and hire a full-time coordinator for the NCPN program.The Plant Health Program division of PPQ will provide the funding for this permanent position.
The National Fruit Tree Clean Plant Network (FTNCPN)) (Tier 2)
The Fruit Tree section has decided to unify into a single national network and not split into regions (as the Grape Section will). The primary responsibility of the FTNCPN is to identify priorities and recommend the allocation of funds received from the Tier 1 body. Another important goal of the FTNCPN is to coordinate pathogen testing standards across the United States.
The voting members of the FTNCPN (Tier 2) are selected from academia, industry and state government. The FACA rules do not apply at this level, so university employees are eligible to be voting members. Subject matter experts will be invited to participate in the discussions and offer advice.
The headquarters of the FTNCPN will be at Prosser, Washington. The USDA will supply one full-time staff position for FTNCPN administrative support.
National Grape Clean Plant Network (NGCPN) (Tier 2)
The national level of the grape network is called the National Grape Clean Plant Network (Tier 2). One goal of the NGCPN is to identify priorities and recommend the allocation of funding received from the NCPN Governing Body (Tier 1). Another responsibility is to harmonize pathogen testing standards across the United States.
The NGCPN Tier 2 Board includes four representatives from each of the Western and Eastern regions. Members are selected from industry, academia and government regulatory bodies. Subject matter experts should also be included as observers.
Foundation Plant Services (UC Davis) has been designated as the headquarters for the NGCPN. One full-time administrative position was provided to the NGCPN.
Regional Grape Clean Plant Networks (Tier 3)
The grape network elected to divide into regional subdivisions to address important regional issues. The Western Grape Clean Plant Network and Eastern Grape Clean Plant Network are the Tier 3 level governing bodies.
Each regional governing body is composed of industry, academic and governmental voting representatives, along with non-voting subject matter and other designated observers.
The regional networks have the authority to regulate regional issues (such as pathogen testing standards) and review and recommend NCPN funding proposals within the region.
Organization of the National Clean Plant Network is in the beginning stages. Below are draft versions of organizational charts for the Eastern and Western Grape Clean Plant Networks.
Draft - Governance Structure, Eastern Grape Clean Plant Network (ECPN)
Draft - Governance Structure, Western Grape Clean Plant Network (WCPN)
The NCPN is a commodity-based network. Grapes and fruit trees are the only identified commodities for purposes of fund allocation as of 2008.