USDA announces appointments of new Cotton Board

The US department of agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointments of new Cotton Board, the oversight and administrative arm of the Cotton Research & Promotion Program. Agriculture secretary Sonny Perdue has appointed 13 members, 13 alternate members and one advisor to serve three-year terms on The Cotton Board, through December 31, 2020.

Based in Memphis, Tennessee, The Cotton Board keeps US producers and importers of cotton updated on the innovative developments in the program. The Cotton Research and Promotion Program is designed to advance the position of cotton in the marketplace. It is funded by assessments on all domestically produced cotton and imports of foreign-produced cotton and cotton-containing products.

"The Cotton Board carries out research and promotional activities that strengthen the competitive position of cotton by expanding demand in domestic and foreign markets, improving fibre quality, and lowering costs of production. These appointees represent a cross section of the industry, and I know that the cotton industry will be well served by their work," said Perdue.

"I look forward to working with the new appointees and gaining their diverse perspectives about the activities of our Board and our industry, as well as leaning on the experience and knowledge of the members and alternates who have been re-appointed to serve. I am very grateful that these leaders have agreed to provide their time and expertise to serve to this industry," said Cotton Board Chairman George LaCour Jr., a producer from Morganza.

The Cotton Board will hold its next board meeting at the end of February to discuss the strategic direction of the Program for the coming year. "At our upcoming board meeting we include an orientation process for the new appointees that will educate them about the Program and ensure they are able to contribute immediately to the Board," said Cotton Board chairman, George LaCour Jr.