Three Kansas corn growers and two Kansas Corn staff members will serve on National Corn Growers Association action teams starting Oct. 1, 2026, with Kansas representatives holding seats on four of the organization's six teams.

NCGA announced the slate of new and returning farmer leaders this week. The teams — made up of state staff, farmers and industry members — guide NCGA programs, policy and priorities, giving growers a direct channel into the national organization's decision-making.

Who got the assignments?

• Biofuels Action Team — Brett Grauerholz of Republic, Kansas Corn Growers Association vice president. Grauerholz returns to the team and will also serve on the NCGA Board Nominating Committee.
• Production and Sustainability Action Team — Tanner McNinch of Ness City, who becomes vice chair and serves as KCGA secretary.
• Risk Management Action Team — Brent Rogers of Hoxie, vice chair and KCGA director, alongside returning Kansas Corn staff member Taylor Williamson.
• Trade, Transportation and Animal Agriculture Action Team — Connie Fischer, Kansas Corn state staff, returning to her post.

NCGA's full roster of six teams also includes Communication and Education and Research and New Uses, where Kansas has no representatives this cycle.

What does the sustainability team control?

McNinch outlined a brief that runs from field inputs to low-carbon fuel market access. "The Production and Sustainability Action Team focuses on what goes into raising a crop and what comes out of it: the inputs we put into the field, how we measure results and the new markets opening up for growers beyond feed, food and ethanol," McNinch said.

That portfolio covers conservation practices, crop protection tools and regulations, and what McNinch called "emerging opportunities like 45Z and other low-carbon fuel markets that could add value to every bushel."

He noted Kansas growing conditions differ sharply from much of the Corn Belt. "Those differences bring challenges that are unique to Kansas, but finding solutions to those challenges strengthens the whole industry," McNinch said.

Why does the risk team matter for farm policy?

Rogers identified the farm bill as the team's primary focus. "Our team was integral in studies and outreach on issues such as crop insurance, base acres and reference prices, that were part of the House-passed farm bill as well as the Senate ag committee version," Rogers said.

Those issues sit at the center of farm margin planning. Crop insurance structures, base acre reallocation and reference price levels determine the floor under grower revenue, making the team's work directly relevant to per-bushel risk exposure.

Rogers said he looks forward to bringing a Kansas perspective to the team's leadership in the coming year.

What happens next?

The appointments take effect Oct. 1, 2026, when the new team rosters begin guiding NCGA policy work on biofuels, sustainability, risk management and trade — agendas that will shape how Kansas growers weigh in on the next farm bill and the rollout of 45Z low-carbon fuel market rules.