Nominating Committee - Heartland

2023-2024 Nominating Committee Candidates

Candidate information includes a brief description of their farming operation, role in that operation, and/or business experience.

HEARTLAND

Cody Ayres – Garden Plain, KS

I’m a 3rd generation farmer focusing on direct-to-consumer Wagyu Beef. I also have an off-farm job as a Financial Advisor working with other Agribusiness operations particularly small family farms in the Heartland Region.

Cindy Baldwin – McPherson, KS

My husband and I own and operate a diversified crop operation in McPherson County, KS. Our farm is a mix of irrigated and dryland crop ground, both owned and rented. For a number of years, we had a farrow to finish hog enterprise, followed by a cow/calf herd, but are now focused on crops. We started a niche enterprise in 2017 growing and marketing popcorn under the brand, Papa Baldy’s Popping Snacks. In our sixth year in this business, we are currently in a number of retail stores in Kansas and Missouri and our online store has shipped product to every state. My primary role in both the farm and popcorn business is accounting and office management, but I have always had an active role in decision making and farm direction.

Teresa Bergkamp – Cheney, KS

My husband, son, and I produce dryland and irrigated wheat, corn, and soybeans. My role is primarily financial and administrative in nature, but I operate, as needed, some of the farm equipment for tillage and harvest.

John Donley – Kanopolis, KS

Our ranching operation consists of a commercial cow/calf herd in Central Kansas.. We also farm alfalfa, hay and wheat to supplement the ranching operation. The family operation consists of my wife, parents, and four children, all of whom are active in the day to day operations of the farm and ranch.

Kent Eaton – Oskaloosa, KS

My wife, Vickie, and I are co-owners of the Buen Retiro, LLC. Currently we operate and live on our home farm in Jefferson County, KS and mange a ranch in Hodgeman County, KS. In Jefferson, we produce timber, hay, and are establishing both an orchard and vineyard. Additionally we are restoring grasslands and wetlands. Our Hodgeman operation is in cattle and hay.

David Stroberg – Hutchinson, KS

Owner-Manager Stroberg Land & Cattle LC, a diversified farming operation in south central Kansas along the Arkansas River involving irrigated and dryland crops. The crops involved are corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, and grain sorghum. The operation also consists of a cow/calf and feeder cattle enterprise.

Gregory Weninger – Burton, KS

Cash grain farm. 1600 acres irrigated 250 acres dryland.