By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
Several Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) members will serve on the Cotton Board in various capacities, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced this week the appointment of 13 members, 13 alternate members and one advisor to the board. Three TFB members were re-appointed as full board members, two were newly appointed as alternate members and one was re-appointed as an alternate.
“The Cotton Board carries out research and promotional activities that strengthen the competitive position of cotton by expanding demand in domestic and foreign markets, improving fiber quality and lowering costs of production,” Perdue said. “These appointees represent a cross section of the industry, and I know that the cotton industry will be well served by their work.”
Bryan Patterson of Amherst, Debra Barrett of Edroy and Sigifredo Valverde of Shallowater will serve another term on the board.
Jon Jones of Floydada and Kody Bessent of Lubbock are the newly appointed alternate members, joining Michael Popp of El Campo, who will return to serve as an alternate member.
Each of these appointments will serve thee-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2020.
In addition, Ronnie Hopper, Jr., of Petersburg was appointed to fill a producer alternate position ending Dec. 31, 2019.
Based in Memphis, Tenn., the Cotton Board serves as the oversight and administrative arm for the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. The board delivers the strategic leadership and oversight of the economic resources devoted to the program.
The program was authorized under the Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966 and is both industry-operated and funded. Since its inception, Congress has authorized 22 research and promotion boards in order to provide framework for agricultural industries to develop new markets, strengthen existing ones and conduct important research and promotion activities.