About Us
- Mission: The Sorghum Checkoff commits to reveal the potential and versatility of sorghum through increased shared value.
- Vision: Sorghum producers benefit from an innovative and competitive industry.
- Purpose: We exist to do as a group what we cannot do individually.
The Sorghum Checkoff is a producer-funded organization dedicated to improving the sustainability of the sorghum industry through research, promotion and education.
Established in 2008, the Sorghum Checkoff helps U.S. sorghum farmers communicate with consumers about the value of sorghum as a healthy, versatile grain.
- We focus on providing a sustainable return on investment for sorghum producers as a primary consideration.
- We commit to effectively leverage producer dollars to enhance the opportunity for producer profitability by advancing demand for sorghum through research, promotion and information.
- We will provide leadership and vision for the sorghum industry.
- We will be transparent so our integrity is clear and recognized.
- We strive to be the foremost resource of relevant and meaningful information about sorghum.
- We aspire to be a catalyst for positive change that develops a dynamic sorghum industry that benefits producers.
USCP Strategic Plan
PRODUCER RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Our Story
2008
The approval process for the Sorghum Checkoff began in February 2006. The proposed order was published in the Federal Register for public comment on November 23, 2007. The final order was published on May 6, 2008.
Our Story
2009
Sorghum Checkoff collections began July 1, 2008, and the board of director’s first meeting was held in November 2008. The Sorghum Checkoff programs officially began in March 2009.
Our Story
2012
First Leadership Sorghum class.
Our Story
2013
Sugarcane aphid was first discovered in U.S. sorghum, initiating the development of SCA tolerant hybrids.
Our Story
2017
Initiation of doubled haploid technology into sorghum breeding, which can greatly decrease the time required to introduce a new hybrid to the market.
Our Story
2018
U.S. sorghum reached the billion-bushel export mark to China.
Our Story
2021
U.S. sorghum exports for the first week of April were a record-breaking 33.9 million bushels, topping the previous record by more than 10 million bushels, which took place in August 2020.
Board of Directors
Our checkoff program is led by a board comprised of 13 U.S. sorghum farmers from top producing states. Members are nominated by a Certified Producer Organization (CPO) and appointed by the USDA Secretary of Agriculture. Learn about requirements and how to become a director on our board.
Our Team
Tim Lust
CEO
Lubbock, TX
About Tim Lust
Tim Lust leads National Sorghum Producers and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program from a unique perspective, drawing on a farm background with work experience in the cattle industry and more than 30 years in the sorghum industry. He received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Angelo State University and earned his master’s degree in business administration from Texas Tech University.
Norma Ritz Johnson
Executive Director
Lubbock, TX
About Norma Ritz Johnson
Norma Ritz Johnson is the executive director of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP). Johnson returned to the sorghum industry as the Sorghum Checkoff’s third executive director in January 2021 after serving as executive vice president of the five-star accredited Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. From 1998 to 2004, Johnson served as Communications Director for National Sorghum Producers (NSP) where she led the organization’s media and public relations efforts. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education & Communications from Texas Tech University and has been recognized as an Agricultural Communications Graduate of Distinction.
Brent Bean
Agronomy Director
Amarillo, TX
About Brent Bean
Brent Bean has worked as director of agronomy for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program since June 2015. Previously, he spent three years as the director of agronomy for NexSteppe, where he led a team of agronomists in developing best management practices for sweet and biomass sorghum. Brent began his career serving as Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center agronomist in the Texas Panhandle, focusing his research and educational efforts on developing best management practices for sorghum, corn and wheat production. Brent received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in crop science from Texas Tech University and his doctorate in weed science from the University of Nebraska.
Clint White
Director of Communications
Lubbock, TX
About Clint White
As Director of Communications, Clint White is responsible for planning development & implementation of all Sorghum Checkoff communications, both external & internal. White graduated from Texas Tech University with a BFA in Design Communications. Prior to USCP, Clint was the Senior Head of Creative Services at Chuck E. Cheese where he led the creative process with business and operations needs, responsible for shaping creative strategy & overseeing visual direction for all in-restaurant experience.
Brent Crafton
Director of Feed Ingredient Utilization
Waterloo, IL
About Brent Crafton
As the Director of Feed Ingredient Utilization, Brent Crafton is responsible for research and program development of U.S. sorghum as a sustainable energy source and functional feed ingredient in aquaculture, swine and poultry nutrition programs. Brent also manages regional development for the Eastern United States at the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. He graduated from the College of Agricultural Sciences at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and has served in the United States Army and the United States Army Reserve.
Shelee Padgett
Director of Emerging Markets & Grower Leader Development
Fredericksburg, TX
About Shelee Padgett
As the Director of Emerging Markets & Grower Leader Development, Shelee Padgett is part of the marketing development team as well as manages Leadership Sorghum, various sorghum education programs and the regional relations program. She grew up in a small town in central Texas where her family owned and operated a fertilizer company. Shelee received her bachelor’s degree in agriculture communications from Texas Tech University and master’s degree at Texas State University.
Zach Simon
Director of Ingredient Utilization & Pet Food
Colwich, KS
About Zachary Simon
Zachary Simon grew up in South Central Kansas, with a rich history in farming as a fifth-generation farmer. His family homesteaded in Kansas in 1890 where his uncles continue to farm the land. Zach always knew he wanted to continue his family’s work through farming and other agricultural pursuits. After he graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in agronomy, Zach worked as an assistant scientist for a Kansas State sorghum breeding program. He also served as an agricultural agent in Sedgwick County for Kansas State Research and Extension before coming to the United Sorghum Checkoff Program as regional marketing director.
Lanier Dabruzzi, MS, RD, LD
Director of Nutrition & Food Innovation
Norcross, GA
About Lanier Dabruzzi
In her role as Director of Nutrition & Food Innovation, Lanier helps to increase the use of sorghum in the US food supply through innovation, marketing and education. In addition, she manages nutrition research focused on sorghum’s role in human health. Dabruzzi received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and her Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in Nutrition Science. As a Registered Dietitian, she has served on boards of both the National Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and Georgia Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Lanier has worked in agriculture for nearly 15 years; having worked with dairy, almond and beef commodities.
Alli Gonzales
Administrative Coordinator
Lubbock, TX
About Alli Gonzales
Alli is the administrative manager, she brings a wealth of finance and administrative experience to USCP. With 18 years of experience in finance and administration, Alli’s proficiency in managing operations and numbers is invaluable. Having grown up in the Central Coast of California surrounded by farming and agriculture, Alli has a deep-rooted connection to the industry through her family’s involvement in the fruit and vegetable sector.
Kady Figge
Communications Manager
Lubbock, TX
About Kady Figge
Kady recently joined team sorghum as the Communications manager where she is responsible for content development, social media and carrying out the planning, development and implementation of Sorghum Checkoff Communications. Kady’s background is deeply rooted in agriculture. Raised in a small town in Northeast Kansas, she spent much of her time on her family’s registered Angus cattle operation. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications and Journalism from Kansas State University. She also graduated with a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership with a concentration in Community Engagement, and minors in Agricultural Sales and Animal Sciences & Industry.
Kara Petty
Compliance Director
Lubbock, TX
About Kara Petty
As the compliance director, Kara Petty will oversee and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards. In this role, she will ensure that all programs and initiatives comply with relevant laws and regulations. Kara holds degrees from Texas Tech (B.S), and Texas A&M Commerce (M.S). A native of Tulia, Texas, just north of Lubbock, her previous role was serving as the Delta County Ag/NR Extension Agent for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in Delta County. She also previously served as an Agrilife Extension agent in Childress County as well as in shipping and invoicing with Plains Cotton Cooperative Association. Her previous roles with Agrilife included working with producers, preparing, presenting, and evaluating educational programs in row crops, natural resources, livestock, rangeland and pasture, and youth development.
Our Brand Partners
We offer a cooperative branding program – Sorghum: The Smart Choice® – to help companies promote sorghum to customers. Want to become a brand partner? Here’s how.
