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 year 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.

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 2024 election cycle will involve Districts I, II, and III.

Commodity Voter Registration Form

Currently, candidates are seeking petitions to register in the 2023 election (Districts I, II, and III). Eligible growers who wish to run for a position on any of the five grain commodities must collect signatures from eligible growers in their respective districts using an online petition, a paper petition, or a combination of both.

The 2023 Petition Process closes on November 30, 2023; paper petitions must be postmarked and online petitions completed as of this date.

Requirements to run can be found on the checklist below.

Candidate Petition Checklist

Statement of Substantial Interest

2024 Elections Brochure

 

Online Candidate Petitions

Candidates 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. Candidates can share this link with other eligible growers in their respective districts to sign their petition.

*THE ONLINE PETITION IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MICROSOFT EXPLORER

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

Instructions to Create a Petition

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Paper Candidate Petitions 

Candidates may also use the following paper petition form to collect signatures from other eligible growers in their respective districts.

2024 Petition Manual Petition Form

 

Kansas Corn Commission
1680 Charles PL, Suite 200
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
Cameron Peirce, President
785-452-1519

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

District I: Brian Baalman, Sheridan County

District II: Dennis McNinch, Ness County

District III: Paige Clawson, Haskell County

Find out more about the Kansas Corn Commission.

 

District II: Jon Berning, Scott County

District III: Brant Peterson, Stanton County

No candidates ran for commissioner in District I. The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission will appoint these positions.

Find out more about the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission.

No candidates ran for commissioner in Districts I, II, and III. The Kansas Soybean Commission will appoint these positions.

Find out more about the Kansas Soybean Commission. 

No candidates ran for commissioner in Districts I, II, and III. The Kansas Sunflower Commission will appoint these positions.

District I: Brian Linin, Sherman County

District II: Ronald Suppes, Lane County

District III: Gary Millershaski, Kearney County

Find out more about the Kansas Wheat Commission.