Friday, April 9, 2021, approximately 175 cotton growers, ginners, producers, industry leaders, and others interested in cotton attended the PCG 64th Annual Meeting, at the Overton Hotel and Conference Center in Lubbock.
Attendees heard from Pro Farmer journalist, and keynote speaker, Jim Wiesemeyer of Washington, D.C. who provided the crowd with an in-depth look into the current political and legislative landscape in Washington. Wiesemeyer discussed the recent election and what that outcome looks like for the Nation, along with the new appointments affecting the agriculture industry since the Biden administration took office.
Joining Wiesemeyer on the program were Dr. Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council, who updated the group on NCC activities, the current market, the supply and demand situation for cotton and trade issues. Adams concluded his presentation with a discussion of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. Beau Stephenson representing
Beau Stephenson representing the Lubbock Cotton Exchange gave an update on the future of the Texas International Cotton School and the plans moving forward for the upcoming Aug. 2- 12, 2021 school. Go to https:// www.texasintlcottonschool.com/ home.html for more information.
Lubbock Congressman Jodey Arrington addressed the crowd and gave his perspective on the situation in Washington, D.C. and the challenges facing agriculture and the country at this time.
Local officials elected
Following the Annual Meeting, during the quarterly Board of Directors meeting, Brent Nelson of Sudan was re-elected PCG President for 2021-2022. Joining Nelson on the PCG officer team are Martin Stoerner of Lockney, re-elected as Vice-President; and Travis Mires of O’Donnell, reelected as Secretary-Treasurer of the 42-county cotton producer organization. The Immediate Past President, Stacy Smith of New Home, serves as chairman of the board.
Each year the PCG Board also elects a total of nine directors, three from each of the organization’s three districts that will serve on the Executive Committee alongside the elected officers and the two most recent past presidents.
Members elected to the 2021- 2022 PCG Executive Committee are: District 1 representatives Brent Coker of Springlake, Barry Evans of Kress, and Jon Jones of Floydada; representing District 2 David Carter of Levelland, Rex Kennedy of Lubbock, and Scott Harmon of Idalou; District 3 representatives Jeremy Brown of Lamesa, Carl Pepper of Borden County, and Johnny Ray Todd of Lamesa.