The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications from sorghum associations and farm organizations interested in nominating sorghum producers to the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board. Applications are due by Feb. 24, 2018.
The primary considerations in determining the eligibility of state, regional or national organizations to participate in nominating individuals for board membership are:
- State-legislated sorghum promotion, research, and information organizations;
- Organizations whose primary purpose is to represent sorghum producers within a state, region, or at the national level; or
- Organizations that have sorghum producers as members.
Any sorghum association or farm organization that wants to be certified to nominate members to the board must complete an application (LPS-27) found at www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/sorghum. After reviewing the application, USDA will notify the organization or association whether or not it has been certified. Organizations currently certified to nominate board members do not need to reapply.
For additional information regarding the certification process, contact Craig Shackelford, Research and Promotion Division, at (470) 315-4246, or via email at Craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov
The United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board is composed of 13 sorghum producers. The Secretary appoints board members from nominations submitted by certificated organizations. Since 1966, Congress has authorized 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
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