USDA Reappoints Sorghum Checkoff Board Members
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Nov. 22, 2010, the reappointment of four sorghum producers to the Sorghum Checkoff Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms.
"These appointees represent a cross section of the sorghum industry, and I am confident that the sorghum industry will continue to be well served by them," said Vilsack.
Reappointed to the board are: Jeffery L. Casten, Kansas; D. Troy Skarke, at-large from Texas; Earl D. Roemer, Kansas; and Dale M. Artho, Texas. Secretary Vilsack selected the appointees from sorghum producers nominated by certified sorghum producer organizations.
The 13-member board, authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996, is structured so that the state with the largest production is allocated five positions, the state with the second largest production is allocated three positions, and the state with the third largest production is allocated one position.
In addition, there are four at-large national positions for which at least two representatives must be appointed from states other than the top three sorghum producing states. The maximum number of producers from one state is limited to six.
The mandatory program is funded at the rate of 0.6 percent of the net market value on grain sorghum and 0.35 percent of the net market value of sorghum forage. The program is intended to be a national, coordinated, self-help marketing program designed to strengthen the position of sorghum in the marketplace, maintain and expand existing domestic and foreign markets and uses for sorghum, and develop new markets and uses for sorghum.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service oversees operation of the board.