About Us
The inaugural meeting of the Kansas FFA Foundation was called to order by Leslie Olsen on April 26, 1982. This volunteer group of Trustees - Stanley Larson, Anton (Tony) Harris, Ron Wineinger, Sam Knipp, George Hieger, Leslie Olsen, Greg Schafer, and Richard Welton - established during this meeting the foundation for the successes that our organization experiences today.
Fast forward to today, the Kansas FFA Foundation is focused on creating new partnerships with private and public interests and is governed by a Board of twenty-four Trustees. By building win-win relationships with organizations and individuals interested in building leadership for the agriculture industry, the Kansas FFA Foundation will support Kansas FFA members and our agricultural education programs through:
1. Enhancements to State FFA Convention Programming
2. Investments in State Conference for Chapter Leaders
3. Funding of Proficiency Awards and Career Development Events
4. Administration of the National Officer Candidate Leadership Scholarship
5. Financial Support for Teacher Enrichment and Training
The Foundation seeks ways to enhance, build, and create opportunities for Kansas FFA members. By working closely with partners to meet our priorities and their needs, the Kansas FFA Foundation will contribute to building leaders for the future of our agriculture industry.
Board of Trustees
Members of the Board of Trustees have a genuine desire to serve. They have deep passion for the FFA and agricultural education which leads to a desire to promote it to those outside the immediate agricultural education community.
Trusteeship in the Kansas FFA Foundation, Inc. is a position which requires active participation. Trustees set expectations for one another, are responsible for fulfilling those expectations and monitoring the activity of their counterparts.
Pat Wiederholt - Chair, Hartford State Bank
Randy Reinhardt - Chair Elect, Zephyr Products
Stanley Watt - Treasurer
Dr. Bob Broeckelman - FCC Services & Summit Point Consulting
Tim Daugherty - Land O'Lakes
Kurt Dillon - State FFA Advisor
John Gilliam - Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman & Zuercher, L.L.C.
Sam Hands - Triangle H Grain & Cattle Company
Dr. Steven R. Harbstreit - K-State Agricultural Education
Tom Hemmer - Solomon Corporation
Kelly Hoelting - Mission Valley High School
Mary Kane - Kansas FFA Association
Greg Krissek - ICM, Inc.
Mark Mayfield - Certified Speaking Professional
Jackie McClaskey - Kansas Department of Agriculture
Rhonda McCurry - Freelance Writer
Meghan Mueseler - Cargill Meat Solutions
Terry Nelson - Nelson Farms, Inc.
Emily Beneda - State President, Kansas FFA Association
Jessica Smith - KS FFA Alumni Association
Merlyn Spare - Stafford High School
Jeff Sutton - Kansas Farm Bureau
Ken Wagner - Heritage Tractor, Inc.
Kerry Boydston Wefald - Kansas FFA Foundation
