Kansas Corn’s Young Farmer Program Class 2 Recognized

Nine Young Corn Growers Complete Kansas Corn’s Corn Corps

Jan. 23, 2019–Nine young Kansas farmers completed Kansas Corn’s Corn Corps young farmer program that expanded their network, knowledge of the corn industry and pushed them to grow in their business expertise. This is the second class to graduate from the program since its start in 2015. The participants were recognized at the 2019 Kansas Corn Symposium. The third class of Kansas Corn Corps was selected in October. The program was patterned off successful young corn farmer development programs being conducted in other corn states.

The Kansas Corn Corps participated in three sessions over an 18-month period plus a domestic agriculture trip. Overall objectives for the program include; learning how participants fit into their farm and progress as an individual, how their farm fits into the industry, what opportunities and challenges they face in the industry and how they can progress in the corn industry.

The first session focused on the idea of growing as an individual and as a farm. The second session focused on learning how participants can grow and improve their farming operations from employee engagement to differentiating their farm brand. The domestic trip consisted of visits to Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. During the trip, they gained a better understanding of how they fit into the larger production picture and learned how to effectively engage consumers. In the third session, Corn Corps focused on communications and marketing, becoming more informed about how they can tell their story and how Kansas Corn is communicating with consumers.

“We are proud of the graduates in the Corn Corps Class 2,” said Kansas Corn Director of Industry Relations Stacy Mayo-Martinez. “We appreciate the time they have committed to learning and growing as individuals and allowing us to bring them information that gets them thinking bigger. We look forward to seeing all the ways they will affect the future of the farming operations and the corn industry.”

To apply for Corn Corps, candidates must be actively involved in a Kansas corn farming operation and be a member of the Kansas Corn Growers Association. Participants must be 45 or younger and can be either individuals or couples. For more information visit kscorn.com/corncorps/ or contact Stacy Mayo-Martinez, director of industry relations at 785-448-6922 or smartinez@ksgrains.com.

Corn Corps Class 2 Graduates:

David and Alicia Allen, Smith Cattle Company, Sharon Springs, KS

Ben Bellar, Bellar Farm Inc., Howard, KS

Hayden Guetterman, Guetterman Brothers Family Farms, Bucyrus, KS

Sara Ellison, Marquette, KS

Garrett and Arissa Kennedy, Knopf Farms/ Tri-Valley Seed & Services, Gypsum, KS

Kyler Millershaski, MK Farms, Lakin, KS

Chris Ostmeyer, Ostmeyer Family Farms, Park City, KS