Nominations are being taken for the administrative arm of the Cotton Program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations of domestic Upland cotton producers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and importers of cotton and cotton-containing products for positions on the Cotton Board.
There are currently positions for 18 members and 18 alternates. USDA will appoint members and alternates to serve three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2025.
The Cotton Research & Promotion Act established the Cotton Board as a quasi-governmental, non-profit entity to serve as the administrator of the Cotton Research & Promotion Program. Funded by America’s cotton producers and importers through the cotton check-off, the Program’s research and promotion activities are conducted worldwide by Cotton Incorporated, the Cotton Board’s sole-source contracting organization, to increase the demand for and improve the market position of cotton.
Certified producer organizations (CPOs) and certified importer organizations (CIOs) will hold caucuses to nominate two qualified persons for each open position in their respective industry segment.
Caucuses are scheduled as follows and all times are local times:
Alabama: Monday, July 18 at 2:45 p.m.
Florida: Monday July 18 at 3:00 p.m.
Georgia: Monday, July 18 at 3:15 p.m.
Kansas: Friday, July 22 at 10:00 a.m.
Missouri: Thursday, July 28 at 10:00 a.m.
New Mexico: Monday, July 18th at 11:00 a.m.
Oklahoma: Thursday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m.
South Carolina: Monday, July 18 at 3:45 p.m.
Tennessee: Friday, July 29 at 12:00 p.m.
Texas: Wednesday, July 20 at 11:00 a.m.
Virginia: Monday, July 18 at 4:00 p.m.
Importers: Tuesday, June 28 at 1:00 p.m.
“The Cotton Board seeks to promote diversity and ensure equal opportunity and inclusion for all those who qualify for nomination and appointment to The Cotton Board regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, disability, socio-economic status, religion or sexual orientation,” says Bill Gillon, President & CEO of The Cotton Board. “Further, we strongly encourage certified organizations to keep in mind the benefits that diverse membership and leadership will bring to the Cotton Research & Promotion Program, when considering individuals for nomination to The Cotton Board.”
For nominating and caucus information, including organizations seeking certification and a list of CPOs and CIOs, contact AMS’ Cotton Research and Promotion staff at (540) 361-2726 or [email protected].
The Cotton Research & Promotion Program works in all areas of cotton’s pipeline – from the field to the consumer – to keep cotton the number one fiber choice in the U.S. For more information about the Cotton Board and the innovative activities stemming from the Program, visit www.cottonboard.org.
