By Scout Nelson
Grain growers in central Kansas now have the opportunity to file as candidates for one of the state’s five grain commodity commissions. Filing is open for those seeking to represent corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat, or sunflowers in the 2026 elections.
The upcoming election will cover districts IV, V, and VI, which make up the central third of the state. District IV includes counties such as Clay, Cloud, Jewell, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Republic, Rooks, Smith, and Washington. District V includes Barton, Dickinson, Ellis, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Marion, McPherson, Rice, Rush, Russell, and Saline. District VI includes Barber, Comanche, Edwards, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Kiowa, Pawnee, Pratt, Reno, Sedgwick, Stafford, and Sumner.
To qualify as a candidate, individuals must have been actively engaged in growing the commodity they represent within the past five years. They must also reside in the district they plan to represent. Candidates are required to gather at least 20 signatures from eligible growers, with no more than five signatures from any one county. Eligible growers must be Kansas residents, at least 18 years old by January 1, 2026, and must have produced one of the five commodities for the past three years.
Petition signatures may be collected either on paper, online, or through a combination of both. An online petition portal is available through the Kansas Department of Agriculture, which provides each candidate with a unique URL to share with eligible signors. Paper registration packets are also available from the Kansas Department of Agriculture or directly from the commodity commissions.
Commodity commissions are grower-led organizations that manage check-off funds to invest in market development, education, promotion, and research. Commissioners serve three-year terms beginning April 1, 2026.
The filing deadline for candidates is November 30, 2025, and voting will take place in January and February of 2026.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-jevtic
Categories: Kansas, General