Sorghum producers are sought to serve on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board.

Four producer member vacancies will occur for the upcoming board term. Kansas has two vacant positions and Texas has one vacant position. In addition, the board will have one newly created position for Oklahoma.

Any U.S. sorghum producer that owns or shares in the ownership and risk of loss of sorghum can be considered for nomination, according to the release from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.  A sorghum producer must be nominated by a certified producer organization and submit a completed application by May 5.

There are four openings on sorghum checkoff board. (Photo: Sorghum Checkoff)

For more information on board nominations and the contact information of the certified producer organizations, and for a copy of the nomination form, visit: http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/sorghum.

Composed of 13 members, the board administers a research and promotion program authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996.  The agriculture secretary selects appointees from producers nominated by certified nominating organizations.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress and date back to 1966.  Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 research and promotion boards.  They establish a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities.  AMS provides oversight, helping to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

For more information, contact Craig Shackelford; Agricultural Marketing Specialist; Research and Promotion Division; Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; 22 Jamesport Lane; White, GA 30184; tel. (470) 315-4246, e-mail [email protected].

Source: USDA AMS