Young Farmer Business Development Program
Corn Corps
Established in 2016, Kansas Corn Corps is our young farmer business development program. Participants engage in networking, learn more about the corn industry and develop new business skills that will benefit their own operations in the future.
The program consists of four sessions that take place over a 16-month period. Three of the four sessions take place in Kansas and the domestic ag tour takes place outside of Kansas. These sessions are on the weekends to accommodate for work schedules, except for the domestic ag trip.
Corn Corps has three main focus areas:
- You: How do you fit into your farm and move forward as an individual?
- Your Farm: How does your farm fit into the industry and continue to be successful?
- Your Industry: What opportunities and challenges will the corn industry face in the future and how can you move the corn industry forward?
Speakers at the sessions will challenge participants and push them to think critically. The topics related to the three focuses areas are set by the Kansas Corn team, but participants provide input. This a highly interactive participant-directed program, allowing participants to engage with industry, develop their professional skills and network with others in agriculture.
Interested in applying for the next Kansas Corn Corps Class? Contact Emily Koop, Director of Grower Services and Market Development.
Corn Corps Sessions
The Corn Corps young farmer program has four engaging sessions with notable speakers and tours of agribusinesses and farms.
Planned Corn Corps Dates for Class 6 (subject to change)
- December 8-9, 2023
- February 2-4, 2024
- July/August 2024 Domestic Ag Trip
- December 6-7, 2024
- March 2-4, 2025 National Commodity Classic
Check out some of the places past classes have been!
Class 5 Completes Corn Corps
Congratulations to Kansas Corn Corps Class 5 participants for completing the program! Class 5 members are listed below with their names, farming operations and hometowns.
Thank you to Corn Corps Class 5 sponsors Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and KCoe Isom.
Corn Corps Graduates
Since 2016, five classes have completed Kansas Corn Corps.
- Ethan Bellar, Howard
- Trent Frye, Abilene
- Sarah Zerger, Abilene
- Conrad Krispense, Marion
- Sarah Krispense, Marion
- Bryce Maneth, Albert
- Jordan Olsen, Baldwin City
- Phillip Underwood, McCune
- Rebecca Zach, Morrowville
- Amy Elliot, Hiawatha
- Mathew Elliott, Hiawatha
- Cate Galligan, Ingalls
- Jenny Goering, Galva
- Brett Grauerholz, Republic
- Madison Mackley, Winona
- Evan Porter, Fredonia
- Zach Vincent, Long Island
- Alex Vosburgh, Macksville
- Karlee Vosburgh, Macksville
What Corn Corps Members Say
Testimonials
- Kyler Millershaski, LakinI‘m excited to meet the future challenges of our farm head-on. The education, experience and relationships gained through Corn Corps will help me be successful for many years to come.
- Krystale Neitzel, LawrenceOne of the topics we focused on in Corn Corps was improving our soft skills, such as conflict resolution and effective listening. We may not think we need to learn about these topics, but its critical for all families and farms.
- Matt Splitter, LyonsCorn Corps helps you gain a wider perspective of how you fit into the big picture and how to move you and your farm forward.
- Arissa Kennedy, Gypsum“I really enjoyed the fact that my husband and I were able to do this program together. Farming is a way of life and being able to grow and learn together within this leadership program is such a great opportunity.”
- Brandon Heier, GrainfieldI highly encourage farmers to apply for Corn Corps. Not just for the trips, but also for the knowledge you’ll gain. We evaluated parts of our own operation and learned how to work as a farm with different generations.
- Alicia Allen, Sharon Springs“I think that being able to hear from other people that are on family farms or whatever kind of operation it might be is important, especially being able to hear about how other family dynamics are because we all experience challenges.”