Cotton Board Approves Cotton Inc. 2024 Budget, Elects New Leaders
August 19, 2023 Members of The Cotton Board serving the Cotton Research and Promotion Program reviewed and voted to recommend Cotton Incorporated’s 2024 budget of $89 million to the Secretary of Agriculture – a $2 million increase from 2023.
The vote came during the organization’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Durham, NC, held jointly with Cotton Incorporated’s Board of Directors.
Speaking to both Boards, Cotton Incorporated President and CEO Berrye Worsham said, “The 2024 Cotton Incorporated plan and budget remain focused on addressing several key industry issues to increase cotton’s market share and ensure long-term profitability. Key priorities include enhancing supply chain transparency and cotton’s traceability, increasing producer profitability, enhancing cottonseed’s value, addressing contamination issues, and using marketing to build demand for cotton.”
A full recap of Worsham’s commentary on the 2024 plan and budget can be found online.
Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at USDA, also addressed the Boards, noting, “One of the best parts of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program is that your decisions are informed by what’s happening in the field. The members of the boards that make up your Program represent the voices from your communities.”
New Officers
During the meeting, The Cotton Board elected a new slate of officers to serve one-year terms.
Mark Nichols (Cotton Board)
Mark Nichols, a cotton producer from Altus, OK, was elected Chairman of the Board. He is President of Jess Mark Nichols Farms, Inc. and President of Hess Farms, Inc., a fourth generation farm he has managed since 1980. He farms with his brother-in-law, son, and son-in-law, growing irrigated cotton, wheat, and milo.
“I am honored to serve as Chairman,” said Nichols. “During the upcoming year, we will continue to work closely with Cotton Incorporated to ensure our industry is moving forward and leading the way to increase the demand for and profitability of cotton.”
In addition to Nichols, other Cotton Board officers are:
Vice Chairman – Akiko Inui, importer from New York City, NY
Secretary – Matt Famer, producer from Lamesa, TX
Treasurer – Rusty Darby, producer from Chester, SC.
Information from The Cotton Board
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