MANHATTAN — Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) recognized members and supporters at its 103rd annual meeting, Dec. 5-6 in Manhattan.

KFB presented two Kansans with Distinguished Service awards for their exemplary contributions to agriculture in the state.

  • Bob Haselwood, Shawnee County, was honored for more than four decades of service to the agriculture industry. As a farmer first, Haselwood raises soybeans, corn and wheat on his farm in Berryton. Since he was elected to the Kansas Soybean Commission in 2005, his focus has been on bringing value back to Kansas soybean farmers through investments in agronomic research, developing uses for soybeans and building demand for soy products. Haselwood is also a former director of the United Soybean Board, where he strengthened the soybean checkoff’s work and promoted the crop in 22 countries across the world. His legacy of service has also impacted Kansas Farm Bureau where he has served on the membership committee, resolutions committee, VOTE FBF and the oilseeds committee.
  • Don Landoll, Marshall County, was recognized for 60 years of service through Landoll Company, LLC, transforming the former blacksmith and welding shop into a leading agricultural and industrial manufacturing company employing more than 900 people across the region. Landoll is a strong supporter of his community and is a financial contributor to the local, state and national FFA organizations. He has contributed funds to the Marysville Library and supported major renovations to the KMYZ airport. He’s served on the Kansas Health Foundation and on the Transportation 2000 board, which led to getting a major overpass and airport expansion for Marysville.

The organization also presented 12 Friends of Agriculture awards. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Kansas Farm Bureau and agriculture. They are:

  • Dr. Donald Coover, Neosho County, spent 40 years helping animals and producers through artificial insemination, embryo transfers and training the next generation of animal caretakers. Dr. Coover’s work has been an immense help to Kansas, the nation and the agricultural industry.
  • Kim Curran, Crawford County, has helped cultivate the future of ag by teaching at USD 248 in Girard and always looks for opportunities to bring agriculture into the classroom. Kim has also served on the Crawford County Farm Bureau board of directors and is a 4-H youth club and project leader.
  • Jim and Terri Sue DeGeer, Neosho County, have served the agriculture community together for 35 years. Jim has served on statewide committees for Kansas Farm Bureau including the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee and Beef Committee. Terri Sue has been a 4-H project leader and volunteer, in addition to 30 years guiding students as a school counselor.
  • Charlie Foltz, Anderson County, has made an impact on Kansas agriculture for more than a half century, serving in several roles on the Anderson County Farm Bureau board almost continuously since 1967. Foltz also spent nearly two decades on the board of directors for the Kansas Corn Growers Association.
  • Jarold Hayden, Cloud County, has worked tirelessly for his community, Kansas and agriculture for seven decades. Hayden has helped shape KFB policies as a longtime board member of Cloud County Farm Bureau, KFB’s VOTE FBF and Resolutions Committee and helped the organization forge a stronger relationship with (retired) Sen. Pat Roberts.
  • Joe Leibbrandt, Butler County, has been a passionate advocate for ag education for more than 40 years, including five years at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville directing the Swine Research Farm. He’s also worked for Kansas Research and Extension, has served as a 4-H representative at the Kansas State swine show and is agricultural department head at Butler County Community College.
  • Cheri Miller, Wyandotte County, has helped Kansans protect the land they use for 15 years by analyzing environmental reviews for the Wyandotte County Unified Government for special use permits, zoning requests, and evaluation of erosion control as well as soil and water quality. She also assists small scale and specialty crop producers in registering with the USDA.
  • Sue Rowland, Marshall County, has supported the agricultural community for 55 years as a business teacher at Marysville High School, where she helped prepare students for a future beyond high school. She’s also a founding member of the Kansas FFA Foundation and serves on the local hospital board, the Marshall County Agriculture Extension board and the Marshall County Conservation board.
  • Leroy Russell, Shawnee County, has served as a representative for agriculture for 43 years, educating future agriculturists in ag education and FFA at Washburn Rural. He’s served on the Shawnee County Farm Bureau board in numerous positions and held leadership roles on the Kansas Extension Agents Association and the Kansas 4-H Agents Association.
  • Don Schroeder, Harvey County, has served in multiple roles in supporting farmers and ranchers from the local to state level. He served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2006 to 2018, and spent time on the Kansas Soybean Association board, Kansas Corn Growers Association board, and currently serves as a Harvey County Commissioner.
  • Dale Strickler, Allen County, has served the agriculture community for more than 30 years as an educator. He coached multiple agricultural competitive teams at Cloud County Community College, where the crops team brought home several national titles. He has also hosted farm tours that have brought more than 1,000 participants from all over the United States and the world to learn about the practices on his operation.
  • Ron and Chris Wilson, Riley County, have been dedicated to supporting efforts with Kansas Farm Bureau and developing rural Kansas for 40 years. Since 1990 Ron has served as the director of the Huck Boyd Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University. He also performs cowboy poetry. Chris is an 11th generation farmer. She also serves as the president of the Food and Agriculture Network, and she previously served as deputy secretary and general counsel of the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Ray and Susan Flickner, McPherson County, received the Kansas Farm Bureau Natural Resources Award, which goes to the farm family who exemplifies good land stewardship. At the Flickner Innovation Farm, the goal is to preserve and improve the natural resources like soil, water, trees and wildlife so they can provide for the next generation. Water quality is central to the Flickners’ conservation efforts. They moved away from anhydrous applications in the early 1980s and have implemented minimum and conservation tillage for the past four years. Experimentation with subsurface drip irrigation and precision mobile drip irrigation also has led to more efficient water use, which goes to the farm’s motto of “Growing for the future.”

Mitch Messner, Agency Manager for Farm Bureau Financial Services, received KFB’s Partnership Award. This award recognizes someone from Farm Bureau Financial Services who has gone above and beyond for the state’s largest farm organization. In his role he works closely with agents and has done a tremendous job connecting with county Farm Bureaus in his area. Agents, volunteers and members know he can be counted on when help is needed or a problem arises.