Pat Damman, an instructor for more than 15 years at Cloud County Community College, is the new director for Kansas Grain Sorghum.

Damman will work to represent the Kansas sorghum industry on the state and national levels. He will be establishing, developing and maintaining strategic producer, first handler, and end-user relationships in Kansas. This includes, providing education and information for sorghum production, marketing, and utilization as well as general checkoff information.

Damman was born and raised on a family farm in Washington County near Clifton, where he and his father still farm along with his wife and 3 children. He was a member of the Leadership Sorghum Class I. 

NEW DIRECTOR: Pat Damman, the new director for Kansas Grain Sorghum, was born and raised on a family farm in Washington County near Clifton, where he and his father still farm along with his wife and 3 children. He was a member of the Leadership Sorghum Class I.

"We were impressed with Pat's experience as a producer, as an educator and as a leader," Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman Clayton Short said. "We are excited to have Pat on the Kansas Sorghum team."

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association work together under the name Kansas Grain Sorghum to promote sorghum in Kansas, from production through end- users. The KGSC is focused on increasing grain sorghum profitability and being recognized as a valuable asset by the Kansas grain sorghum producer as it directs the investment of funds generated by the grain sorghum checkoff. KGSPA is a member organization that provides legislative and regulatory issue representation as well as serving as a promotion and communications tool for grain sorghum producers in Kansas.

KGSPA held its annual meeting in Manhattan on Feb. 6 in conjunction with the Kansas Commodity Classic.  During the meeting President Greg Shelor thanked outgoing board members Mark Myers, Colby and Ted Birtell, Scranton for their many years of service on the KGSPA board and their commitment to the grain sorghum industry. 

Mark Myers, grower in the northern tier district, has served on the board for over 20 years.  Board member Ted Birtell, grower in the central district, is retiring from the association board after nearly 20 years.

The association had three seats up for election.  Members elected Craig Poore, Alton in the northern district; Kelly Miller, Ellinwood was re-elected in the central district; Kent Winter, Mt. Hope in the southern district.  These board members will serve three year terms.  The board also appointed Lance Russell, Hays to complete the final year of the term left vacant by Birtell in the Central district.