Release No.: 014-15

Contact:

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications from any sorghum associations and farm organizations interested in being certified as eligible to nominate sorghum producers to the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Board. Applications are due by March 4, 2015.

The primary considerations in determining the eligibility of state, regional, or national organizations to participate in nominating individuals for board membership are: (1) state-legislated sorghum promotion, research, and information organizations; (2) organizations whose primary purpose is to represent sorghum producers within a state, region, or at the national level; or (3) organizations that have sorghum producers as members.

Any organization or association that wants to be certified to nominate board members must complete an application for certification. The application can be found online by following the “Sorghum” link at www.ams.usda.gov/researchandpromotion. Upon review of the application, USDA will notify the organization or association whether or not it has been certified. Organizations currently certified to nominate do not need to reapply. Only those organizations that are not currently certified to submit nominations must complete and submit an official application to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

USDA is seeking additional nominating organizations to help ensure that a diverse set of candidates are nominated for all research and promotion boards. USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by its industry. Diversity includes gender, race, disability, length of service, and size and type of operation.

For additional information regarding the certification process, contact Craig Shackelford, Research and Promotion Division; Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program at (470) 315-4246, or via email at Craig.Shackelford@ams.usda.gov.

The 13-member board was established by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. The board administers a coordinated program designed to expand foreign and domestic markets and uses for sorghum. Membership is comprised of sorghum producers and sorghum importers. The Secretary appoints board members from nominations submitted by certified organizations.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 research and promotion boards. They empower agricultural industries by establishing a framework for them to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, helping to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

#