LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) members gathered November 20-21 to elect leadership, advance key policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session and new Congress, and present awards to family farm agriculture supporters.
New food and nutrition policy priorities include support for the expansion and promotion of farm-to-school and farm-to-institution programs and support for policies moving toward universal no-cost meals for all Kansas public school children.
Under transportation policy, KFU members support continued public investment in innovative public transport solutions to reduce transportation related greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change, and the development of a sustainable, dependable and user-friendly component of public transit.
KFU members support a comprehensive rural development policy that includes consideration of social needs, such as a living wage, health care, community-based childcare cooperatives, housing, education, access to healthy and nutritious foods, and human resource development, as well as venture capital, transportation, and telecommunications.
KFU members also voted to recognize libraries as a commonwealth fundamental to every community. The multi-faceted functions of libraries serve the greater benefit of all citizens and their communities. Librarians are a core asset of every community and librarians should not be threatened by incarceration or retribution for faithfully performing their duties. This includes support for free speech, plus opposition to book bans and privatization of libraries.
Special Orders of Business for 2025 include Support for Medicaid (KanCare) Expansion, Opposition to Medicare Advantage, Priorities for the Next Farm Bill, The United States Postal Service, and Protecting Civilization in a Climate Crisis. KFU’s 2025 Policy Statement and Special Orders of Business can be found at www.kansasfarmersunion.org/policy.
Kansas Farmers Union President Donn Teske, Wheaton, was re-elected to a two-year term. Teske, a fifth-generation Pottawatomie County farmer, was first elected president of Kansas Farmers Union in 2001. He serves on the board of some twelve state, regional, and national boards concerning agriculture and the environment.
KFU board member Rosanna Bauman, Garnett, was re-elected to a three-year term representing the South District. Bauman is a farmer and serial ag entrepreneur, who, with her parents and five siblings, has developed businesses that expand opportunities for local food production in eastern Kansas through USDA-inspected poultry and meat processing facilities and a non-GMO feed hub.
Scott Kohl, St. George, was elected to a North District board position following the retirement of longtime KFU board member David Heiens, Abilene. Kohl is the Director of Highland Community College Viticulture and Enology Program. He grew up on a wheat and cattle farm west of Hays, Kansas in Trego County, and currently serves on the Wamego Convention and Visitors Bureau board.
“I’m grateful to the KFU membership for allowing me to serve on the board of directors,” Kohl said. “I look forward to offering my input based on my background growing up on a wheat and cattle farm and my current occupation growing grapes and making wine. I’m also excited to learn about other aspects of Kansas agriculture that I haven’t experienced firsthand.
Delegates elected to represent KFU at the National Farmers Union Convention in Oklahoma City, OK March 9-11, 2025 include James Bowden, Salina; Amanda Lindahl, Kansas City; Matt Ubel, Wheaton; and Scott Kohl, St. George. Tom Giessel, Larned, will represent KFU on the National Farmers Union Policy Committee.
“NFU policy is the keystone of our advocacy efforts,” said Giessel, “I humbly appreciate the confidence placed in me to carry out this duty.”
Recipients of the Ruth Hirsh Friend of the Family Farmer Award included Senator Marci Francisco, Lawrence and Senator Carolyn McGinn, Sedgwick.
Senator McGinn has strived to balance rural and urban needs and advocated for transparency in budgeting and campaign finance. During her time in the Kansas Senate, Senator Francisco has become one of the state’s leading advocates on the environment, agriculture, and public education. Both were elected to the Kansas Senate in 2004.
Recipients of the Linda Hessman Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to Rural Kansas included USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux and National Geographic Photographer Jim Richardson, Lindsborg.
Ducheneaux was appointed Administrator for USDA’s Farm Service Agency on February 22, 2021. In this role Ducheneaux provides leadership and direction on agricultural policy, administering loan programs, and managing conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs through a national network of offices.
Richardson is a photojournalist, writer and educator devoted to environmental and resource issues. From his background as an internationally recognized social documentary photographer of rural life, Richardson has developed a wide-ranging body of work covering water and food issues, the impacts of growth and development on human habitat, and complex cultural stories of our rich human heritage.
Jim Gierhan, insurance agent with Farmers Union Midwest Agency (FUMA) of Clay Center, KS was the recipient of FUMA Insurance Agent of the Year. Gierhan has been part of the Farmers Union Insurance family for 21 years.
To cap off the convention, Kansas Farmers Union’s Foundation held a live auction made up of donated items from members and insurance agents. Thanks to the generosity of donors and bidders, the KFU Foundation raised over $2,800.
About Kansas Farmers Union:
Since 1907, Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) has worked to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and their communities. Kansas Farmers Union represents its members, who are engaged in diverse farming and ranching pursuits, through education, legislation, and cooperation.
— Kansas Farmers Union
