MCPHERSON, Kan. – Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) members gathered in Wichita November 18-19 for its 118th anniversary convention to elect leadership, advance key policy priorities for state and federal government, and present awards to family farm agriculture supporters.
“Our recent state convention was superb,” KFU President Donn Teske said. “The group of speakers was awesome, and it’s always wonderful to have presenters who make the convention participants think, learn, and challenge themselves.”
Kansas Farmers Union Vice President Matt Ubel, Wheaton, was re-elected to a two-year term. Ubel is a generational farmer who raises row crops, cattle, and kids with his wife, Leah, near Wheaton, KS. Along with his brother, Matt owns and operates a custom application business. He is also active in local government at the county level.
KFU board members Jill Elmers, Lawrence, and Donna Pearson McClish, Wichita, were re-elected to three-year terms representing the North and South Districts, respectively. Elmers has owned and operated Moon on the Meadow farm near Lawrence since 2003 and raises 30-40 different kinds of certified organic vegetables, small fruits, herbs and flowers on her farm’s three acres and the 30-acre Common Harvest Farms she owns with partners. Pearson McClish is a multi-generation urban farmer; owner, and operator of Common Ground Producers and Growers, Inc., a unique mobile food hub that serves both urban and rural families.
Delegates elected to represent KFU at the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention in New Orleans, LA March 7-9, 2026, include James Bowden, Gypsum; Donna Pearson McClish, Wichita; Sheila Kjellberg, Salina; Amanda Lindahl, Chapman; Jazelle Thomas, Wichita; and Scott Kohl, St. George. KFU Executive Director Nick Levendofsky, Courtland, will represent KFU on the National Farmers Union Policy Committee at the national convention.
“I am honored to serve in this role to represent KFU members and their grassroots policy at the national level,” said Levendofsky, “I look forward to working with other Farmers Union members from across the country to present and advance policies that benefit family farmers and ranchers and their communities.”
Recipients of the 2025 Ruth Hirsh Friend of the Family Farmer Award included Senator Mary Ware, Wichita and former Kansas State Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Dennis McKinney, Greensburg.
Senator Ware was elected to her first term in the Kansas Senate in 2018 where she represented parts of Wichita in Sedgwick County until her recent resignation. Senator Ware served as the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and championed many issues on behalf of Kansas family farmers during her time in the Senate.
Dennis McKinney was appointed by the Biden Administration to serve as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kansas in February 2022. McKinney is a Kansas farmer and cattle producer in southern Kiowa and northern Comanche counties and served as a Kansas State Representative and Kansas State Treasurer.
Wes Jackson is the recipient of the 2025 Linda Hessman Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to Rural Kansas. Jackson is a prominent environmentalist and plant geneticist known for co-founding The Land Institute, near Salina, KS. He has been a leader in the sustainable agriculture movement, advocating for ecologically based practices. “It was a pleasure and honor to have the opportunity to present the legendary Wes Jackson with our beloved Linda Hessman Lifetime Achievement Award,” President Teske said.
Tom Giessel, Larned, was honored for participating in his 50th consecutive Kansas Farmers Union Convention. Giessel, who recently retired from farming, serves as the amateur historian for National Farmers Union and is a regular presenter on Farmers Union history at national and state conventions. Giessel was presented with a framed, pewter Farmers Union medallion that was once part of the late NFU President Tony Dechant’s personal collection.
Jeff Downing, General Manager of Farmers Union Midwest Agency (FUMA) was the recipient of FUMA Insurance Agent of the Year. Downing has been part of the Farmers Union Insurance family for 21 years and will be retiring March 2026.
President Teske informed convention participants that he also intends to step aside at the end of his two-year term in 2026, “so the dynamic young leaders and board members who make up the organization can step up.”
About Kansas Farmers Union – Since 1907, Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) has worked to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and their communities. Kansas Farmers Union represents its members, who are engaged in diverse farming and ranching pursuits, through education, legislation, and cooperation.
