Kelly Lenz Receives Kansas Corn Impact Award

Farm broadcaster Kelly Lenz received the Kansas Corn Impact Award at the Kansas Corn Symposium. Lenz was chosen for the honor for his 41 years as a trusted voice for Kansas farmers WIBW radio and television. Lenz retired in August of 2019.

Lenz grew up on a Iowa grain and dairy farm. He started his career in Normal, Illinois at WIOK radio and then became farm director at WJBC in Bloomington, Illinois. He joined WIBW in 1978, became Farm Director in 1979 started the “Ag Issues” program in 1983.

In Kelly’s 41 years at WIBW, he interviewed countless farmers, ag leaders and political leaders.

“Kansas agriculture doesn’t have many celebrities but if you saw a crowd gathered around someone at a farm show or farm profit conference, there’s a good chance Kelly would be in the center of that crowd,” Kansas Corn leader Ken McCauley of White Cloud said.

Previous Kansas Corn Impact Award winners are: farm economist Barry Flinchbaugh, grower leader Don Lundquist, former Kansas House Speaker Sharon Schwartz and grower leader Roger Pine.