The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from sorghum associations and farm organizations interested in nominating sorghum producers to the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board (Board). Applications are due by March 13, 2023.
State, regional or national organizations that wish to participate in nominating individuals for Board membership must be one of the following:
- 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.
- Organizations that have sorghum producers as members.
Sorghum associations or farm organizations that wish to be certified to nominate members to the board must complete the Application for Certification to Make Nominations to the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Board (LP-27) found on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) United Sorghum Checkoff Program webpage.
After reviewing the application USDA will notify the organization or association whether it has been certified. Organizations currently certified to nominate Board members do not need to reapply. The Secretary of Agriculture appoints Board members from nominations submitted by certificated organizations.
Send completed forms to Barbara Josselyn, Research and Promotion Division, at Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov and for more information about the certification process, contact Barbara Josselyn, (202) 713-6918.
The Board is composed of 13 sorghum producers.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender