The U.S. Grains Council selected Troy Skarke, sorghum farmer from Claude, Texas, and Greg Graff, farmer from Marienthal, Kan., for its nomination for the appointment to the open At-Large position on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board of Directors. As a certified producer organization, the Council is eligible to bring the slate of candidates forward for consideration at the National Sorghum Caucus on March 16. The Caucus will then forward possible candidates to the secretary of agriculture for final appointment. At the USGC’s International Marketing Conference held last month, sorghum producers and organization representatives from the Council put forth these names, which were then approved by the USGC Board of Directors. 

“Both Troy and Greg have impressive experience in international market development efforts and have made significant contributions to the sorghum industry,� said USGC President and CEO Thomas C. Dorr. In addition to the At-Large position, individuals also will be identified at the caucus to fill one state position in Texas and two in Kansas.

Skarke has served on the USCP Board of Directors since its inception in November 2008. He currently serves as the market development chairman. Skarke is a small family producer, farming 1,200 acres of sorghum and 1,200 acres of wheat and also manages a cow-calf herd operation. For the past seven years, he has served on the Texas Sorghum Producers Board and is the current sorghum sector director for the Council.

For the past 10 year, Graff has been a USGC delegate representing Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission (KGSC). He received his Bachelors of Science Degree at Kansas State University and started farming shortly after. Graff operates a 6,000-acre farm with his wife, Kathy. He has served the positions of director, treasurer and vice chairman for KGSC.