Kansas Farmers Union to meet in Wichita November 30- December 1

MCPHERSON, KS — “People Powered” is the theme of Kansas Farmers Union’s 119th anniversary state convention to be held November 30- December 1 at the Drury Plaza Broadview Hotel in Wichita, KS.

“Kansas Farmers Union’s upcoming annual state convention - our 119th year - is going to be historic! Besides our great educational presentations, our policy drafting, and our elections and networking, we are finally getting the old coot, (me), out of the way so that the kids can fly! I’m so excited!” stated KFU President Donn Teske. “Just like fledgling’s leaving the nest, the next generation of Kansas Farmers Union’s leadership will soar to new heights!”

KFU’s convention kicks off on the evening of Sunday, November 29th with a 6:00 PM social at The Monarch. All convention attendees are welcome to attend.

Convention will be gaveled to order by KFU President Donn Teske on the morning of Monday, November 30. Registration begins at 8:00 AM and convention proceedings begin at 9:00 AM

Kerry Gooch of Kansans for an Affordable Future will share lessons from the Local Power Network, a statewide organizing effort that works with community leaders in rural and urban Kansas alike. Gooch will cover why local voices matter so much in where energy projects land, what has worked in building support across party lines, and how Kansas can plan for what comes after its aging coal plants while keeping power affordable for families.

K-State agricultural economist Greg Ibendahl will give an update on the current agricultural economy, along with an outlook on what to expect in 2027.

KFU Cooperative Engagement & Outreach Specialist Kara Walker will give an update on the past year’s work with “Homegrown Prosperity,” the two-year rural cooperative development initiative led by the Kansas Farmers Union (KFU), Missouri Farmers Union (MFU), and Common Ground Producers & Growers (CGPG) in partnership with U.S. Co-ops. Walker will also moderate a panel discussion on cooperatives with panelists Thomas Smith, Chief Business Officer for the Kansas City Food Hub; Amy Draut, Director of Partnerships & Programs for Hunger Free Kansas; and Ed Reznicek, retired General Manager for Central Plains Organic Farmers (CPOF).

Monday's lunch will feature comments from retiring Kansas Farmers Union President Donn Teske along with an update from Farmers Union Midwest Agency (FUMA) General Manager Rob Fisher. The organization's annual awards will be given to those who have dedicated their lives and work to agriculture, rural communities, and the Farmers Union Midwest Agency.

An International Year of the Woman Farmer-Ag Technology panel discussion made up of KFU members will take place after lunch.

Keynote speaker Tom Mosgaller will spend the afternoon with KFU members, sharing his passion in community organizing and how he works with ordinary folks both nationally and internationally to effect change in both urban and rural areas.

Mosgaller is active in the Farmer Veteran Coalition and the author of several recent books, including Bending Granite, 30 + true stories of leading change, and Pulling Together, a handbook for community change.

A retirement reception for KFU President Donn Teske will take place at 7:30 PM, along with a live auction to benefit the inaugural KFU Next Generation program, which will assist new and emerging farmers to participate in state and National Farmers Union events.

On the morning of Tuesday, December 1, National Farmers Union (NFU) government relations representative Layla Soberanis will provide an update on NFU’s policy priorities and an outlook on the 120th Congress. KFU contract lobbyist Sean Gatewood of Sunflower Public Affairs will provide an outlook on the 2027 Kansas legislative session which begins in early January.

Growing up on a family farm and ranch just outside of Geneseo, KWCH Meteorologist Ross Janssen knew it was easy to see how weather affected almost every aspect of agriculture and how important it was for us to know what kind of weather was on the horizon. Janssen will address the Super El Nino and how it will play into the winter weather outlook.

Grassroots policy updates and development takes center stage Tuesday afternoon where delegates and members from across the state will review past policy, propose, and debate new issues, and adopt policy and Special Orders of Business for the coming year.

KFU convention delegates will also elect a new state president, board members from the north and south districts, and delegates to National Farmers Union’s 125th Annual Convention, which will be held March 7-9, 2027, in San Antonio, TX.

Nick Levendofsky, Courtland is running unopposed for State President. Amanda Lindahl, Enterprise, is running unopposed for North District Director. Ryan Goertzen-Regier, North Newton, and Norm Oeding, Hesston, are vying for the South District Director position.

A full convention schedule, registration, and guest room information are available at: https://www.kansasfarmersunion.org/general-8

Beginning farmer scholarships to help with registration and lodging are available by contacting KFU Executive Director Nick Levendofsky (nick@kansasfarmersunion.org)