Hailey
TOPEKA, Kan. – In a bid to ease the financial burden of post-secondary education, the Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA) has distributed nearly $30,000 in scholarships to 19 graduating high school seniors across the state for the upcoming 2025–2026 academic year.
This initiative aims to support young Kansans pursuing careers in agriculture and related industries.
Scholarships Designed to Encourage Educational Advancement
The KGFA scholarship program received an overwhelming response this year, with over 250 applications submitted from various regions in Kansas.
The scholarship committee, made up of KGFA members, selected 19 deserving students based on a combination of academic excellence, leadership qualities, and geographical diversity to ensure statewide representation.
“Our board of directors and scholarship committee know how essential it is to connect the future workforce with our industry early on,” said Ron Seeber, KGFA’s President and CEO. “We take great pride in fostering the next generation of leaders and helping them advance their educational and professional goals.”
Annual Commitment to Kansas Students
Every year, the association awards 18 scholarships worth $1,500 each, alongside one $500 Dub and Inez Johnson Memorial Scholarship.
These awards not only recognize scholastic merit but also reflect KGFA’s commitment to nurturing young talent within Kansas.
Eligibility Criteria for KGFA Scholarships
To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a graduating senior from a Kansas high school
- Exhibit strong academic performance and initiative
- Show active involvement in school and community
- Plan to pursue higher education at a Kansas-based university, community college, or technical school
This selection process helps KGFA identify students with a passion for agriculture and leadership potential within the industry.
2025 Scholarship Awardees
Here is the full list of recipients who earned the $1,500 KGFA Scholarship:
| Recipient | Hometown |
|---|---|
| Landon Albrecht | Salina |
| Breck Averhoff | Garden City |
| Kevin Brown | Yates Center |
| Dalton Debler | Alma |
| Kourtney Dibben | Junction City |
| Addison Green-Russell | Downs |
| Clay Guttery | Alton |
| Andrew Harris | Salina |
| Conner Hoelting | Allen |
| Gwyn Jantz | Montezuma |
| Rhett Kats | Prairie View |
| Emily Lueckenotto | Shawnee |
| Jackson McCurry | Colwich |
| William Miller | Lyons |
| Brady Russell | South Haven |
| Karson Schierling | Inman |
| Hayden Stubbs | Wallace |
| Aubree Vering | Marysville |
Dub and Inez Johnson Memorial Scholarship ($500) Recipient:
- Tate Morgan – Cedar Point
Decades of Support for Kansas Youth
Since its inception in 1976, the KGFA scholarship initiative has enabled countless Kansas students to further their education, particularly in fields related to agriculture, agribusiness, and technical industries.
This longstanding tradition reflects KGFA’s core mission: to invest in the future leaders of Kansas agriculture.
About the Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA)
Established in 1896, the Kansas Grain and Feed Association is a non-profit trade organization headquartered in Topeka.
Representing 900 members, KGFA provides government advocacy, educational programming, and industry services to Kansas’ vital grain and feed marketing network.
Members of KGFA include:
- Country elevators
- Subterminal and terminal elevators
- Feed and flour manufacturers
- Grain traders and merchandisers
- Allied sectors like insurance companies, railroads, and equipment providers
KGFA currently represents over 99% of all federally or state-licensed grain storage facilities in Kansas. The organization also oversees the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association and Renew Kansas, in addition to offering lobbying and management services to other agricultural groups across the state.
The Kansas Grain and Feed Association continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Kansas’ agricultural workforce by investing in bright, motivated students through its scholarship program.
With nearly $30,000 awarded this year alone, KGFA reaffirms its dedication to education and industry development. Students and families interested in applying should follow KGFA’s updates for next year’s opportunities.