Millet growers take next step to create market order

    Colorado is the No. 1 producer of millet in the U.S., and growers are interested in enhancing research and marketing opportunities. At the request of millet producers, Commissioner of Agriculture Don Brown will hold a hearing for public input on a proposed market order for millet Friday, June 22, at 10 a.m. in the conference room of USDA-ARS Central Great Plains Research Station located at 40335 County Road GG, Akron.
    The commissioner will accept verbal and/or written testimony at that time.
    Any interested party may also submit written testimony.  Such testimony may be mailed to the Colorado Department of Agriculture. To be considered part of the record, such testimony must be postmarked no later than Friday, June 22, or, if sent by email, received no later than 11:59 p.m. June 22.
    Following the hearing, and receipt of any written testimony, the commissioner will decide if it is appropriate to go forward with a referendum of all millet producers to see if they are in favor of a market order.
    “Millet is widely planted as a rotational crop by Colorado farmers,” said Brown, “It is drought-tolerant, grows well in Colorado, and brings $23 million in economic impact to our state. If Colorado producers wish to move forward with a referendum on a millet market order, we will support that endeavor.”

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