The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board to fill four vacant producer positions, including two to represent Kansas, one to represent Texas, and one at-large position. Members will serve three-year terms beginning December 2022 and ending December 2025. The deadline for nominations is April 11, 2021.
Any U.S. sorghum producer who owns or shares in the ownership and risk of loss of sorghum can be considered for nomination. The Secretary of Agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted by Certified Producer Organizations. A list of Certified Producer Organizations and the nomination form are available on the AMS United Sorghum Checkoff Program webpage.
The 13-member United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board was established to maintain and expand the market for sorghum. For more information about the board, visit, www.sorghumcheckoff.com, or contact Agricultural Marketing Specialist Jason Julian at (202) 731-2149 or Jason.Julian@usda.gov.
AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of their industries in experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide 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 to 21 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments.
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