Branding Partnerships

Cooperative Branding Program

The goal of the Sorghum Checkoff is to promote U.S. sorghum as a highly desirable crop for farmers and a preferred ingredient or raw material for a variety of products. In order to leverage sorghum’s presence in the industry, the Sorghum Checkoff established a Cooperative Branding program. Through the program, the Sorghum Checkoff is partnering with companies wishing to promote sorghum utilizing our branding program – Sorghum: The Smart Choice® – on a number of platforms.

Become A Cooperative Partner

The goal of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) is to promote U.S. sorghum as a highly desirable crop for farmers and a preferred ingredient or raw material for a variety of products. Toward that end, USCP offers matching dollars to those who promote sorghum and products made from sorghum.

It is USCP’s desire to leverage checkoff dollars while helping defray costs for companies wishing to promote sorghum through our branding program: Sorghum: The Smart Choice®.

Farmer-Directed Advertising And Promotions

Sorghum: The Smart Choice® has been adopted as a graphic and slogan by USCP to position sorghum as a preferred cropping choice. We are eager to have this graphic appear in advertising and promotional materials produced by seed and crop protection companies, irrigation equipment manufacturers and others who serve agricultural producers.

How the Cooperative Program Works

Companies may be reimbursed for one-half the media cost (50%) for advertising or promotion that uses the Sorghum: The Smart Choice® graphic. This includes magazine or newspaper advertising space and outdoor billboards up to a limit of $5,000 per advertiser in a 12-month period.

Cooperative support is also available for other items such as trade show booths, imprints on specialty items such as caps and jackets, product literature, vehicles, field signage and other applications. Promotion on digital platforms, radio, television or novel communication approaches will also be considered on an individual basis. Please contact USCP staff to discuss the details and reimbursement for your intended use.

The graphic or words Sorghum: The Smart Choice® must be displayed prominently and must adhere to graphic standards published by USCP.

USCP must receive ADVANCE NOTIFICATION of your intent to claim cooperative funds with a preview of how Sorghum: The Smart Choice® will be used. Please submit the Cooperative Support Application form at least six weeks in advance of the use date.

Thought Starters for Farmer Audience

There are many ways and places the Sorghum: The Smart Choice® graphic and slogan can be used. Here are some ideas.

  • Dropped into your product ads in magazines or newspapers.
  • Decals on your company vehicles.
  • Printed on your product literature.
  • Displayed on your packaging.
  • Decals on windows or doors at your retail locations.
  • Imprinted on trade show booths.
  • Stitched or screened onto wearables like caps and jackets.
  • Printed on pens, keychains, flashlights or other gift items.
  • Posted on your company website or social media platforms.
  • Painted on sides of grain bins or other prominent locations.
  • Imprinted on demonstration field signs.
  • Mentioned in your radio commercials.

Commercial-Directed Advertising And Promotions

Sorghum is gaining momentum in markets including building products, bakery goods and other foods, packing materials, renewable and advanced biofuels and a host of other products.

How the Cooperative Program Works

Companies who include Sorghum: The Smart Choice® on their product labels, in advertising or in promotional materials may be reimbursed for one-half (50%) of the media cost up to a limit of $5,000 in a 12-month period.

Cooperative support is also available for other items such as trade show booths, imprints on specialty items such as customer giveaway items, product literature or packaging and other applications. Promotion on digital platforms, radio, television or novel communication approaches will also be considered on an individual basis. Please contact USCP staff to discuss the details and reimbursement for your intended use.

The graphic or words Sorghum: The Smart Choice® must be displayed prominently and must adhere to graphic standards published by USCP.

USCP must receive ADVANCE NOTIFICATION of your intent to claim cooperative funds with a preview of how Sorghum: The Smart Choice® will be used. Please submit the Cooperative Support Application form at least six weeks in advance of the use date.

Thought Starters for High-Value Markets

There are many ways and places that the Sorghum: The Smart Choice® graphic and slogan can be used on items targeting consumers and supply-chain partners. Here are some ideas.

  • Dropped onto print advertising or promotion.
  • On packaging.
  • In product literature.
  • In-store displays and point of purchase items.
  • On trade materials promoting your product through your supply chain.
  • On a website and on social media platforms.
  • At trade shows and sales meetings.
  • On wearables such as caps, jackets or golf shirts.
  • Embossed on golf balls or other specialty items.

USCP offers cooperative funding for these items. Contact USCP staff for details.

Would You Like To Become A Cooperative Branding Partner?

Fill out the application and send it to Laura Kelley at laura@sorghumcheckoff.com for consideration.