Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) recognized members and supporters at its 107th annual meeting, Dec. 6-8 in Manhattan. Photos of those honored are available here. YouTube videos of award winners will be available in the coming days at www.youtube.com/ksfarmbureau.

KFB presented its Distinguished Service Award for exemplary contributions to agriculture in the state to:

Dennis McKinney, Comanche County, for his service at the national, state and local level, from winning American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer & Rancher Award to serving as Kansas’ executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency. McKinney spent 15 years in the Kansas House and also spent countless hours helping his community as a Kiowa County Commissioner and serving on the Commanche County Farm Bureau board.

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

Gary Fike, Riley County, has dedicated 42 years to the agricultural industry, serving as an extension agent in multiple counties, educator for youth programs at Certified Angus Beef, director of commercial marketing for the Red Angus Association, and, most recently, as county extension director in Riley County. He retired in 2025 after a distinguished and impactful career. Beyond his profession, Fike has been a devoted community leader. He led the Westmoreland Trailblazers 4-H Club, taught woodworking for 10 years, serves on the Wellsprings of Westmoreland Home Care board and the St. Joseph’s church refurbishing committee.

Terry Powelson, Allen County, has dedicated 38 years to the agriculture industry, with a focus on supporting and mentoring youth. Throughout his career, he’s served on the Kansas State University Agriculture Advisory Council, the Kansas Collegiate Farm Bureau Advisory Council, and has frequently judged various FFA contests and livestock events. A committed member of his community, Powelson has held multiple positions on the Allen County Farm Bureau board and has remained actively involved with the local 4-H Club, Lions Club and First Christian Church.

Nancy Smith, Johnson County, has played a key role at Kansas Corn, serving on the STEM Education Board and as a teaching liaison, helping shape the future of agricultural education. Smith has also contributed to the Kansas Ag in the Classroom Foundation as a member of both the Teacher Advisory Board and the Curriculum Writing Team. Beyond her professional contributions, Smith created a “Walk-n-Read” path activity with local elementary students and developed a year-long program called “First-Grade Farmers” to promote agricultural education at the elementary level.

Kansas Farm Bureau’s Natural Resources Award was presented to Michael Cleveland, Cloud County, who farms corn, wheat and soybeans with his son, Bryan Cleveland. Conservation has been central to their approach. Every acre had transitioned to no-till by 2016, and they invested in terraces, waterways and cover crops to protect soil and water resources. The Clevelands also use cover crops to reduce erosion, improve soil health and provide grazing opportunities for local cattle ranchers.

Casten Fellows, which aims to create leaders who can enact change through meaningful relationships, innovation in ideas and processes through effective leadership development, honored graduates from Class 3, including Ashley Beying, Osage County; Craig Dinkel, Ellsworth County; Matt Friesen, McPherson County; Jessica Johns, Riley County; Christa Milton, Stafford County; Nathan Mentzer, Allen County and Adam York, Pottawatomie County.

Leadership KFB, which is focused on creating influential thought leaders who choose to engage, create change and look for solutions in agriculture and their communities, honored graduates from Class 11, including Daniel Finnegan, Ellsworth County, Joanna Hetrick-Anstaett, Osage County; Adalaide Kline, Thomas County; Kacie Lockyear, Cowley County; Roger Long, Barton County; Jessica Martin, Cowley County; Sathena Scarborough, Sedgwick County; Jill Seiler, Sedgwick County and Gracie Tyler, Thomas County.

Ag Academy, an educational program with the purpose of providing a conduit for folks of all occupations and levels of agricultural knowledge to be exposed to the many facets of production ag, rural communities and ag policy, recognized graduates including Kaitlyn Barnes, Franklin County; Josh Brown, Barber County; Amanda Ogorzolka, Riley County; Mary Chris Myers, Jackson County and Norman Johnson, Montgomery County.

Collegiate Fellows, which offers emerging collegiate leaders an opportunity to engage in intentional leadership and personal development while learning first-hand about Farm Bureau policy, honored graduates Chloe Ecord, Fort Hays State University (FHSU); Camden Rietcheck, FHSU; Parker Andrews, FHSU; Nicole Haase, Kansas State University (KSU); Kennedy Holstein, KSU; Madeline Drake, KSU; Lana Mayfield, Allen Community College; and Kaylee Wagner, Pratt Community College.

Members of the media were honored for telling the stories of Kansas farmers and ranchers across four categories. In the broadcast feature category, JuYeon Kim and Chris Morrison of KSHB received first place. Shelby Varner, Ag Today, took second and Steve Webster, KVGB, was third. For broadcast news, Ryan Gamboa, KSHB, received first followed by JuYeon Kim and Chris Morrison, KSHB, and Malley Jones, KSN. In the print feature category, Bill Spigel, The Furrow, received first-place honors. Macey Mueller, Kansas Stockman, placed second and Leslie Manning, Spotlight, was third. For print news, Mueller took top honors followed by entries from Donna Sullivan in Grass & Grain and the Riley Countian.

Sarah Gideon, Jackson County, received the Rural Minds Matter Advocate of the Year award for her dedication to breaking down mental health stigmas in farming and ranching communities.

Laci Fike, ShawneeCounty, 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 Fike’s role as director of member services, she embodies the Farm Bureau brand every day in all aspects of her work.