Leadership Sorghum Class I met for its second session Nov. 27-29 in Kansas, the largest sorghum producing state in the U.S., focusing on domestic markets and public research for sorghum.
Fifteen sorghum producers from eight states make up the first class of Leadership Sorghum, a program sponsored by the Sorghum Checkoff. Participants will be immersed in many segments of the sorghum industry throughout the 16-month program, which seeks to develop the next generation of leaders for the sorghum industry.
While in Kansas, the class toured operations utilizing grain sorghum in the state, including Knight Feed Yard and Kansas Ethanol, both in Lyons, and Double D Hogs in Bushton. The class also toured the International Grains Program (IGP) Grain Science Complex flour mill and extrusion lab at Kansas State University and heard from food industry experts at the American Institute of Baking (AIB) in Manhattan, who are working to develop gluten-free food products made from sorghum flour. Team Marketing Alliance and Scoular Company discussed sorghum marketing strategies and profitability potential with the group, and the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Dale Rodman, addressed the group at IGP, touting the importance of sorghum's water savings and its opportunities in Kansas.
"This session was designed to expose the Leadership Sorghum class to a variety of established and emerging sorghum markets ranging from biofuels to livestock feed to gluten-free food products, while also highlighting the genetic research taking place at the public level," said Florentino Lopez, Sorghum Checkoff executive director.
Jordan Shearer, a sorghum producer from Slapout, Okla., said the Leadership Sorghum program has not only showed him different segments of the sorghum industry, but the leadership training and networking opportunities have also been beneficial.
“This leadership class is made up of growers from across the country, and it is really neat to learn about the different cropping systems that each of them has on their own farming operations,” Shearer said. “I’ve been amazed in this session to see how integrated sorghum is in the Kansas economy. It is also good to see how producers’ dollars are being invested and the level of synergy that exists in this industry.”
The class also received media training during the Kansas session to prepare them to be advocates for sorghum and agriculture with local, regional and national media. The next session will be held in Washington, D.C., in February and will focus on the government’s role in sorghum, checkoffs and interest organizations. For more information about the Leadership Sorghum program, visit SorghumCheckoff.com/leadership.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Wanted felon arrested in Hiawatha
St. Joseph teacher arrested for student sex crimes
Revised flood predictions along the MO River
Valuation change notices coming soon for Nebraska residents
Lancaster shooting, threats, land man in jail
Holton woman killed in Jackson Co car-deer accident
Ozawkie man facing multiple child sex charges
Case dismissed in charity fraud allegations
Public health advisory issued for local lake
Sabetha man arrested on drug charges
4th candidate files for local KS House seat
KHP pursuit ends in Jackson Co
Three injured in Thursday Jeff Co collision
Atchison Police probe car wash thefts
Jeff Co North USD 339 bond issue defeated
Atchison's Amelia fireworks voted 3rd in nation
Atchison Co's Laurie seeks another term as Sheriff
Former KS AG files for Congress
LATEST STORIES
Holton woman killed in Jackson Co car-deer accident
Atchison Co vets to honor comrades Monday
Richardson County Board receives organization updates
Only minor flooding continues along Missouri River
Three injured in Thursday Jeff Co collision
Atchison Police probe car wash thefts
KS DCF provides dollars for youth lunch