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Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Makes Funding Decisions, Appoints At-Large Director and Officers

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Makes Funding Decisions, Appoints At-Large Director and Officers

 

For immediate release:

COLWICH, KS (October 21, 2019) – The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission (KGSC) announced today its FY2020 budget, appointment of an at-large director and officers for 2020.

KGSC commits to invest $823,302 in research, market development, education and promotion to fulfill its vision “to be the best stewards of financial resources, ensuring sorghum is a long-lasting, profitable crop for Kansas.”

“This has been a challenging year in many ways,” said KGSC Chairman Stephen Bigge, a farmer from Stockton, Kansas, “but this farmer leadership commits to get better and design outcomes for producer dollars. We must see results, and we will continue to try and invest checkoff dollars in a manner we feel will bring meaningful value to sorghum producers.”

According to USDA, Kansans intended to harvest 2.4 million acres, down 9 percent from last year. Sorghum is challenged with an export market demand lag and needed technology in the seed bag. This investment will bolster sorghum growers at home and abroad by developing market potential, increasing consumer awareness, and continuing vital research to scientifically develop sorghum as a premier future crop.

Highlights of the investment portfolio include:

  • $562,900 for research and the Center for Sorghum Improvement at K-State
  • $144,927 for administration
  • $78,000 for marketing
  • $23,000 for education
  • $16,430 for promotion

Bigge was reappointed as Chairman for 2020. Clayton Short, of Assaria, Kansas, was reappointed as vice-chairman, and Nathan Larson, of Riley, Kansas, was reappointed as Secretary/Treasurer.

Clark Bibb, farmer from Coldwater, Kansas, was appointed as an at-large board member.

“We look forward to welcoming both new and returning directors to the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission board of directors,” said KGSC Executive Director Jesse McCurry. “The board of directors plays an essential role in our efforts to innovate and enhance the value of sorghum, and we anticipate the talent and contributions these new and returning individuals will bring to the board of directors and to the benefit of our industry’s farmers.”

As a farmer-led commission representing farmers statewide, the KGSC continues to seek new candidates for the 2020 elections. Eligible candidates for the KGSC board can file by Nov. 30, 2019, at https://agriculture.ks.gov/kda-services/kansas-commodity-commissions.

The KGSC board is essential to direction of passback dollars from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program where directors are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from sorghum producers nominated by certified sorghum producer organizations like the KGSC.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 21 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

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The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is the largest passback entity funded by the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, dedicated to improving the sorghum industry through research, promotion and education. For more information about KGSC, visit www.ksgrainsorghum.org.

For more information about the USCP and other research projects, please visit www.sorghumcheckoff.com.