The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for a Texas representative on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board.

Other open positions on the board include a Kansas representative and three at-large representatives.

Sorghum farmers within the United States who own or share in the ownership and risk of loss of sorghum production are eligible for nomination.

The 13-member sorghum board was established to maintain and expand the market for sorghum. The checkoff pursues efforts in research, promotion and information sharing to help sorghum farmers achieve a greater financial return.

The program is funded by an assessment of 0.6% of the net market value of grain sorghum and 0.35% of the net market value of sorghum forage, silage, hay, haylage and billets. The Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 allows the collection of assessments on the production of sorghum.

A sorghum farmer must be nominated by a certified producer organization and submit a completed application. The U.S. secretary of agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted.

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) is a certified nominating organization and will accept applications from qualified farmers until April 10.

Once applications are received and reviewed, the nominating organizations will caucus and send nominations to USDA.

Interested sorghum farmers must complete Form AD-755 and the Agreement to Serve document to be considered. The documents should be submitted to Brant Wilbourn, TFB associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities, via email at bwilbourn@txfb.org.

If you have questions, contact Wilbourn at bwilbourn@txfb.org or call 254-751-2262.

Nominations are due to USDA by May 2.

Additional information about the sorghum checkoff can be found on the AMS website and the National Sorghum Board website.