Commodity commissions are grower-led organizations committed to supporting the economic viability of their industry and continual improvement of their commodities. In Kansas, the five commissions represent corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat and sunflowers. Effective July 1, 2000, the passage of HB 2674 (K.S.A. 2-3001) changed the structure of commodity commissions to be considered an "instrumentality of the state." As a result, commissioners are elected on three-year terms to oversee their crop's research, promotion and education programs funded with check-off funds.

KDA assists with the reporting and record-keeping functions of the commissions. In addition, all phases of the election process for commissioners are conducted in conjunction with KDA.

Current Commodity Commissioners

Kansas Corn Commission

• District I: Brian Baalman, Rexford
• District II: Dennis McNinch, Utica
• District III: Paige Clawson, Satanta
• District IV: Mike Brzon, Courtland
• District V: Derek Belton, Tampa
• District VI: Kent Moore, Iuka (Chair)
• District VII: Griff Howard, Hiawatha
• District VIII: Krystale Neitzel, Lawrence
• District IX: Randy Small, Neodesha

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission

• District I: Evan Lesser, Palco
• District II: Jon Berning, Scott City
• District III: Brant Peterson, Johnson
• District IV: Matt Benoit, Damar
• District V: Kevin Harris, Abilene
• District VI: Max Tjaden, Clearwater
• District VII: Nathan Larson, Riley
• District VIII: Kevin Kniebel, White City (Chair)
• At Large: Clark Bibb, Coldwater
• At Large: Blake Connelly, Offerle

Kansas Soybean Commission

• District I-III: Mark Myers, Colby
• District IV: Ron Ohlde, Palmer (Chair)
• District V: Keith Miller, Great Bend
• District VI: Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale
• District VII: Gary Robbins, Emmett
• District VIII: Robert Haselwood, Berryton
• District IX: Mike Froebe, Mound Valley
• At Large: Lance Rezac, Onaga
• At Large: Raylen Phelon, Melvern

Kansas Sunflower Commission

• District I: Jeff Deeds, Goodland
• District II: Duane Fraiser, Sharon Springs
• District III: Jay McClure, Hugoton
• District V: Karl Espring, Lindsborg
• District VI: Cameron Peirce, Hutchinson (Chair)
• District VIII: Gary Schellhorn, White City
• District VIII: George Hunsinger, Lawrence

Kansas Wheat Commission

• District I: Brian Linin, White City
• District II: Ronald Suppes, Dighton
• District III: Gary Millershaski, Lakin (Chair)
• District IV: Mike McClellan, Plainville
• District V: Doug Keesling, Chase
• District VI: Martin Kerschen, Garden Plain
• District VII-IX: Nathan Larson, Riley
• At Large: Jason Ochs, Syracuse
• At Large: Derek Sawyer, McPherson

Commodity Commission Contact Information

Kansas Corn Commission
1680 Charles PL, Suite 200
Manhattan, KS 66502
785-410-5009

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission
P.O. Box 2
Manhattan, KS  66505
785-707-9464
Brant Peterson, Chair

Kansas Soybean Commission
1000 SW Red Oaks Place
Topeka, KS 66615
785-271-1030

Kansas Sunflower Commission
Cameron Peirce, President
785-452-1519

Kansas Wheat Commission
1990 Kimball Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502
785-539-0255