The passage of HB 2674 (K.S.A. 2-3001) by the 2000 Kansas Legislature changed the structure of the commodity commissions (corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat and sunflowers) effective July 1, 2000. Under this new structure, each commission is considered an "instrumentality of the state." The commissions manage their operations in the private sector, and conduct elections for producers to vote on the commissioners they want to manage their crop's research, promotion and education programs funded with check-off funds.

Upon registering to vote by Dec. 31, either by filling out the Commodity Voter Registration form that can be obtained from your county extension office, your county conservation district office, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, or any of the five grain commodity commission offices (corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat or sunflowers), or by signing a valid candidate petition form; you will receive a ballot by mail by Jan. 15 of that election year. You have until March 1 of that election to submit your ballot to the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The candidate winners will take office April 1. Any challenge of voter eligibility, the petition process or any other election procedure, must be submitted in writing to the Secretary of Agriculture between Feb. 20 and one week after ballots are officially counted and winners announced. The Secretary of Agriculture or designee shall serve as the final arbiter in any disputes that may arise out of the election procedure. Currently, candidates are seeking petitions to register in the 2021 election (Districts 1,2, and 3).

Any grower who appropriately registers to vote may vote in an election for any commissioner representing that commodity and district where the grower maintains an official residence. Anyone who is a resident of the state of Kansas, has reached the age of eighteen (18) years before the next election and has been actively engaged in growing corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat or sunflowers within the preceding three (3) years will qualify as a grower. The 2021 election cycle will involve districts 1,2, and 3. 

Commodity Voter Registration Form

*NEW FOR 2021*

Eligible growers who wish to run for a position on any of the five grain commodities may now create a petition using a Kansas Department of Agriculture online portal. Once an eligible grower creates an account and fills out the necessary information for the petition, the grower will be given a public URL that they can share to have other eligible growers in their respective districts sign their petition. Candidates may still chose to use paper petitions, or a combination of both. 

Click Here to Create an Account (NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MICROSOFT EXPLORER)

Click Here for an Existing Account (NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MICROSOFT EXPLORER)

Instructions to Create a Petition

Video Instructions for Creating an Online Petition

Frequently Asked Questions

Candidate Petition Checklist

2021 Petition Manual Petition Form

2021 Elections Brochure

Statement of Substantial Interest

Kansas Corn Commission
1310A Westloop Place #285
Manhattan, KS 66502
785-410-5009

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission
P.O. Box 618
Colwich, KS 67030
785-477-9474

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

Kansas Sunflower Commission
Karl Esping, President
785-452-1519

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

District Four: Mike Brzon has over 30 years of experience as a producer of corn, wheat, soybeans and sorghum. He and his wife operate a family farm along the Republican River Valley in Republic County. Mike currently serves on the Kansas Corn Commission, U.S. Grains Council, and the Republican River Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

District Five: Terrance Vinduska grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and grain sorghum in Marion County. He currently serves on the Kansas Corn Commission, has served on the U.S. Grains Council, and has been a delegate for the National Corn Growers Association.

District Six: Kent Moore farms in northwest Pratt County, raising irrigated corn and soybeans. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1989 with a degree in agricultural economics.

Find out more about the Kansas Corn Commission.

District Four: Stephen Bigge is a sixth generation producer in Rooks County with a diversified operation growing sorghum, wheat, cattle, corn, and soybeans. He currently serves on the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and has a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Kansas State University.

District Six: Max Tjaden has been farming in Sedgwick County since 1982 and grows grain sorghum, wheat, and soybeans on a 100% no-till operation. He is a current member of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and recently served seven years on the Sedgwick County Farm Bureau Association.

Find out more about the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission.

District Four: Ronald Ohlde grows soybeans, corn, wheat, grain sorghum, forage, and canola in Washington County. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the Kansas Soybean Commission and has served on many different committees and boards.

District Five: Keith Miller, from Barton County, has farmed for 43 years. He has served on multiple local, state, national, and international boards. Keith has also traveled extensively, promoting U.S. products both domestically and abroad.

District Six: Dennis Gruenbacher grew up in Sedgwick County and has farmed there since 1971. He runs a diversified farm with over 2000 acres. Dennis currently serves on the Kansas Soybean Commission, as well as many other boards, committees and associations.

Find out more about the Kansas Soybean Commission. 

No candidates ran for commissioner in districts four, five, or six. The Kansas Sunflower Commission will appoint these positions soon.

District Four: Michael McClellan is a second-generation wheat farmer from Rooks County. He currently serves as chairman of the Kansas Wheat Commission and has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Kansas State University.

District Five: Doug Keesling is a fifth-generation farmer from Rice County. He is a current member of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the National Sorghum Producers.

District Six: Martin Kerschen is a family farmer from Sedgwick County. He is an active member of several local and national organizations including US Grains Council, Garden Plain Co-op, and the Sedgwick County Fair Board.

Find out more about the Kansas Wheat Commission.