Post on July 30, 2020

The United Sorghum Checkoff Program and the U.S. Grains Council have worked together to successfully market domestic sorghum internationally for more than a decade. Part of what makes this relationship so successful is the Sorghum Checkoff’s representation throughout the U.S. Grains Council’s leadership.

Sorghum Checkoff board member Charles Ray Huddleston from Celina, Texas, has served as sorghum sector director for the U.S. Grains Council for two terms. Huddleston’s leadership has been invaluable to both the checkoff and sorghum industry as a whole. July 28 marks the end of Huddleston’s term on the U.S. Grains Council board, and we cannot thank him enough for his service.

“I want to thank Texas Sorghum and the Sorghum Checkoff for the opportunity to serve on the U.S. Grains Council’s board,” Huddleston said. “It was an extremely rewarding experience working with talented individuals that I will cherish forever.”

The Sorghum Checkoff will continue to be well represented on the U.S. Grains Council’s board. Sorghum Checkoff board director Jim Massey from Robstown, Texas, will fill Huddleston’s position as sorghum sector director for the U.S. Grains Council. Massey will undoubtedly continue the legacy of success the checkoff has enjoyed in the past.

“I know I have large shoes to fill coming in behind Charles Ray,” Massey said, “but I’m excited to help fulfill the U.S. Grains Council’s mission as a member of the board.”

Massey will also be joined by Sorghum Checkoff Past Chairwoman Verity Ulibarri from Melrose, New Mexico, who was recently elected to serve as an at-large board member for the U.S. Grains Council. A culmination of Ulibarri’s experience throughout the agriculture industry will allow her to not only advocate on behalf of sorghum producers but agriculturists as a whole.

“I believe my experience with the checkoff gives me a good perspective to come onto the [U.S. Grains Council] board and continue working through our strategy to achieve the mission,” Ulibarri said.

Having leadership on the U.S. Grains Council board allows the Sorghum Checkoff to leverage opportunity toward the sorghum industry and our producers. We cannot overstate how proud we are of these individuals for stepping up to the plate and representing our industry internationally.

“We are thankful to have sorghum advocates at the state, federal and global level that push our industry in the right direction by supporting market development facilitated by the U.S. Grains Council,” Sorghum Checkoff Executive Director Florentino Lopez said. “The efforts of Charles Ray, Jim and Verity do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. On behalf of the sorghum industry, thank you all for your service.”