KWC Seeks At-Large Commissioners

The Kansas Wheat Commissionseeks applications for two at-large commissioners:one from the combined three western crop reporting districts of Kansas and one from the central three.

The combined western crop reporting district includes the following counties: Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Wallace, Logan, GoveTrego, Greeley, Wichita, Scott, Lane, Ness, Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Hodgeman, Stanton, Grant, Haskell, Gray, Ford, Morton, Stevens, Seward, Meade and Clark.

The combined central crop reporting districtincludes the following counties: Phillips, Smith, Jewell, Republic, Washington, Rooks, Osborne, Mitchell,Cloud, Clay, Ottawa, Ellis, Russell, Lincoln, Saline, Dickinson, Rush, Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, McPherson, Marion, Pawnee, Stafford, Reno, Harvey, Edwards, Kiowa, Pratt, Kingman, Sedgwick, Comanche, Barber, Harper and Sumner.

“After legislation in 2000 changed the process of choosing commissioners from governor-appointments to producer-elections, the Kansas Wheat Commission board adopted a policy of appointing two at-large commissioners,” says Justin Gilpin, chief executive officer of Kansas Wheat. “This allows for a geographical balance of the areas where the majority of wheat is produced in Kansas.”

The two at-large Commissioners will join seven other farmer-commissioners,who are electedby Kansas wheat producers to represent crop reporting districts. One commissioner is elected fromeach of the three western districts and one from each of the three central districts. The seventh elected Commissioner represents the combined three eastern districts.

Kansas Wheat Commissioners participate in a number of marketing activities in-state and through the national marketing arm, the U.S. Wheat Associates. Commissioners also choose where to invest assessment funds and help to promote wheat production, education and marketing.

Each at-large commissioner must be a Kansas resident, must be engaged in the growing of wheat and must own or share in the ownership and risk of loss of such wheat, whether as a landlord or tenant.

Interested Kansas wheat producers must be willing to represent other wheat producers and serve a three year term. Submit an application to the Kansas Wheat Commission, 217 Southwind Place, Manhattan, KS 66503. Applications, which must be received by Feb. 20, 2010, should include: 1) nominee’s name, biography and resume; 2) references and 3) a letter from the nominee stating his or her willingness to serve.

At-large commissioners will be chosen at the March, 2010 board meeting and will take office in April. For more information, call 785-539-0255 or e-mail kswheat@kswheat.com.