Longtime Wichita County farmer and seedsman Ken Horton of Leoti has been awarded the title of Premier Seed Grower for 2019 by Kansas Crop Improvement Association. Horton was presented with the award at the annual Seed and Crops Conference held in Manhattan in February.

Ken and Toni Horton operate the farm and the seed business with their sons, Rick, Alec and Matt. Their daughter, Meaghan, is a dental hygienist in the Leoti area. In addition to growing crops and producing foundation and certified seed, the Hortons have a KCIA Approved Portable Conditioner as a part of RAM Enterprises.

Getting into producing and selling certified seed was something Horton undertook in 2003 as a way to diversify the farm and provide growing room for the next generation without taking the focus away from top quality farming practices.

He attended KCIA meetings and solicited the help of KCIA staff to learn the procedures for producing certified seed and has earned a reputation for selling quality seed and dealing with customers with honesty and integrity, according to Mike Sieck, KCIA board president, who presented the award to Horton.

Since its inception in 1930, 167 Premier Seed Grower awards have been presented by Kansas Crop Improvement Association. To qualify for the award, the recipient must have several years of experience as a certified seed producer, with certified seed being a major component of their business; they must exhibit quality consciousness in all production and sales practices; and they must be involved in public service activities.

Recipients are selected by ballot with previous year’s honorees casting the votes.

For further information, call Kansas Crop Improvement Association at 785-532-6118, visit kscrop.org or email [email protected]

Source: Kansas Crop Improvement Association, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.