What does the Commission do?

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission invests sorghum passback dollars, primarily from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. Kansas first-handlers are assessed 0.6 percent on market value, administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Kansas is a certified producer organization by USDA-AMS and participates through the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. The state checkoff is currently suspended.

Areas of investment include:

Production and New Use Research
Domestic Market Development
International Market Development
Promotion and Education

Who serves on the Commission?

Nine growers make up the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, representing each of the nine crop reporting districts in Kansas.

Are commissioners elected or appointed?

Under legislation passed in 2000 to give growers more input into their representation, commissioners began being elected directly in 2002. The Commission retains the ability to appoint commissioners when needed.

Who handles the Commission business?

The Commission employs full-time staff members:

Administrator: Adam York
Director of Communications and Outreach: Maddy Meier

Address: P.O. Box 2, Manhattan, KS 66505

Phone: (785) 707-9464

What is the CSIP and Center for Sorghum Improvement?

K-State received directed funding through Congress to establish the Center for Sorghum Improvement, which supports guest speakers and serves as a clearinghouse for sorghum activities at the university. On April 1, 2016, the Commission, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, K-State, and other partners entered into a cooperative agreement to increase grain sorghum productivity and expand markets by 2025.

The Collaborative Sorghum Investment Program (CSIP) operates through the Center for Sorghum Improvement at K-State, benefiting sorghum producers nationwide.

Program Goals:

Increase national average yield from 61.95 to 100 bushels per acre by 2025
Fund research in over-the-top grass control, breeding improvements, and field management
Advance long-term research in seed innovation and genetic trait development
Expand markets to increase demand to 1.25 billion bushels by 2025
Reduce the sorghum-to-corn trading discount from 4.6% to 2% by 2025

Financial Commitment:

$2 million investment from the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission
$2 million from the Sorghum Checkoff
$800,000 investment from K-State

Both the Commission and the Sorghum Checkoff contribute $200,000 annually for 10 years, totaling $4.8 million.