Texas Corn Producers Board announces the re-election of five board members, including Chairman Robert Gordon, a corn, wheat, and sorghum farmer from Dalhart, Texas.
Gordon has served on the board for 18 years, the last two years as chair. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, he says the board's short-term focus is communication with its growers.
(Texas Corn Producers Board Chairman Robert Gordon. Photo by TCP.)
"Next Wednesday, we have an online town hall meeting," he says. "We'll have a lot of information about USDA programs like the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL)."
Gordon hopes the online meeting will reduce any confusion regarding the newly announced aid initiatives. "We have asked K·Coe Isom, the nation's leading food and ag accounting and advisory firm, to shed light on the various aspects of the CARES Act, SBA Loans and USDA updates as it pertains to producers.
"I think this will be good information for everybody."
The free, live webinar is Wednesday, April 22, at 11 a.m., and preregistration is required. (Click here to register.)
Also re-elected to the board are Wesley Spurlock of Sherman County, Dee Vaughan of Moore County, and Steven Yoder of Dallam County to represent Voting Region One, which covers the Panhandle. Daniel Berglund of Wharton County will continue to serve in Voting Region Four – covering the Coastal Bend.
Longterm
Longterm priorities for the 15-member board, include the continuation of ongoing research projects funded by TCP, Gordon says.
"We've got a new product, FourSure, that will mainly be used in Central Texas for aflatoxin. We hope to get it labeled within the next year or two, which will give producers another choice," Gordon says. "We're waiting for final approval."
TCP will also continue its research partnerships with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Tech University, and breeders, he adds.
Another priority is TCP's agricultural education initiative. The board, in partnership with other state boards and a Texas educator, has created the Corn in the Classroom Curriculum aimed at elementary-aged children (K-5th grade). The free curriculum, launched this spring, will be implemented in classrooms this fall during the 2020/2021 academic year.
"It's important to teach kids about agriculture and where their food comes from," Gordon says.
TCP will also provide full-day professional development sessions for educators regarding the use of the curriculum. For more information about Corn in the Classroom and free resources available to parents while their children are learning from home, go to texascorn.org/educational-resources.
Sworn In
TCPB's board members were sworn in on April 1, 2020, by Patrick Dudley, Texas Department of Agriculture. Each person elected will serve a six-year term, or until the year 2026.
Gordon, who's been serving on the board since 2002, stressed the importance of growers serving on the board. "It's important for our industry, for agriculture. Our growers up here grow multiple commodities. We need that voice. Whether it's with the association or the checkoff board, we're always looking for young folks to get involved."
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