22 Apr KGFA Celebrates 128th Annual Meeting
Highlighted by hours of networking, valuable speakers and a windy afternoon on the golf course, Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA) celebrated its 128th annual meeting April 15 – 16, 2024 in Wichita.
The annual event attracted nearly 150 of KGFA’s active capacity and associate members to learn from agribusiness economist Shawn Hackett and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt.
“We were fortunate to book such timely, knowledgeable speakers to address our members this year,” KGFA President and CEO Ron Seeber said. “Shawn Hackett did a wonderful job of updating us on the current issues facing agriculture domestically and abroad, as well as breaking down the economy and painting a pretty clear picture as to what we should prepare for moving forward. Insurance Commissioner Schmidt and her team have a wealth of knowledge and we’re pleased they were able to share insights on the insurance industry with our members.”
KGFA also bestowed its most prestigious honor, the Sunflower Award, to longtime association supporter, Russ Ronnebaum. Throughout his career he worked diligently to ensure the future of KGFA was pointed in the right direction. Ronnebaum dedicated countless hours to the association, as a member of the board of directors from 2009-2018 and a valued member of the Kansas Agri Business Expo Committee. He also assisted the academic futures of countless Kansas students by on its scholarship committee. Most recently, he served on the Kansas Agri-Business Council board of directors, assisting the association determine political contributions to individuals running for the legislature.
The association also completed its annual business of a report on membership activities, board of director elections and financial status. KGFA membership re-elected Blake Connelly (Alliance Ag & Grain, LLC); Andrew Fullerton (Bartlett Grain A Savage Company); David Helfrich (Irsik & Doll); Dub Johnson (McPherson Concrete Storage Systems); TJ Mandl (Scoular); and Alan Woodard (Kanza Cooperative Association).
Throughout the event, members enjoyed networking inside hospitality suites sponsored by: Ardent Mills; Cargill Inc.; ProValue Insurance; BarnesCo; Central States Fumigation; Drake, Inc.; Hammel Scale a Mettler Toledo Brand; McPherson Concrete Storage Systems; and Rolfes @ Boone.
The event wrapped up with a windy outing to Tallgrass Golf Club where more than 100 golfers participated in a tournament.