Sorghum Groups Announce Industry Awards

Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers Association’s annual appreciation banquet was the setting for presentation of the annual service awards given by the NeGSPA and the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board.  The awards are presented annually to recognize an individual or organization for contributions to the development, promotion and advancement of the grain sorghum industry.

NeGSPA – Industry Service Award

Allen “Al” Dutcher, State Climatologist, UNL School of Natural Resources, was honored by the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers Association for his support and contributions to the Association, especially in the area of education and communication.  He has worked with NeGSPA for the past nine years to bring the weather outlook to the program for the Sorghum Profitability Seminars – an annual series of meetings that focus on marketing, production and management of sorghum.

“Al is widely known and respected for his expertise and message as the State Climatologist,” said Don Bloss, Pawnee City, NeGSPA President.  “We are pleased that he is willing to share his time and talent to be a part of our sorghum education program.”

Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board – Service to Sorghum Award

The Service Award presented by the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board was given to Jennifer Rees, Extension Educator, UNL Cooperative Extension Service, Clay County.

Jenny is cited for her support, spirit and enthusiasm in working with the Grain Sorghum Board to educate and expand awareness about grain sorghum to both producers and consumers.  Over the past few years, the Grain Sorghum Board has supported Jenny’s research and extension efforts on two projects – both of which have produced valuable outcomes for the industry.

On the consumer front, Jenny coordinated the efforts of a team of UNL Extension nutritionists and ag educators, the Celiac Sprue Association, and dieticians to develop a series of bulletins containing reliable information regarding the use of sorghum in gluten-free diets and to increase awareness of sorghum as a value-added product.  “These publications have been posted on UNL’s food website, shared through email listserves, and distributed at many, many state and national conferences, trade shows and agriculture fairs, reports Barbara Kliment, Executive Director of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board.  “They have, in fact, become an integral part of our overall educational effort to promote food applications for sorghum.  Testimonials from celiacs, dieticians and nutritionists are evidence of the importance to share the message about the nutritional value of sorghum and its virtues as a nutritious, wholesome and gluten-free grain.”

Jenny is equally passionate and dedicated to her work in the field.  For the past three years, she has been the principle investigator on a water usage study in the Lawrence, NE area to evaluate sorghum, corn and soybeans in dryland fields.  Watermark sensors and ET gauges were used to establish baseline numbers for crop water usage for these three crops.

“Jenny has shared the field data at various sorghum conferences and field days and through UNL Extension media outlets,” said John Dolnicek, Lawrence, member of the Grain Sorghum Board.  “It’s been my pleasure to work with Jenny in hosting this field study on my farm.  These three years of data should solidify findings for eventual journal publication.”