There is in the department the Garlic and Onion Dehydrator Advisory Committee, which consists of 11 members and their alternates. The secretary shall appoint five members and their alternates, who shall be growers of garlic or onions for dehydrating, five members and their alternates, who shall be representatives of handlers engaged in the dehydrating of garlic or onions, and one public member and an alternate, both of whom shall have no direct economic interest in the growing or dehydrating of garlic or onions. An alternate member shall serve at a committee meeting only in the absence of, and shall have the same powers and duties as, the member for whom he or she is designated as alternate.