Sorghum State Podcast

Producer leadership sits at the center of this episode of the Sorghum State Podcast. Hosts Maddy Meier and Adam York sit down with Andy Hineman of Dighton, President of the Kansas Sorghum Producers Association, and Brant Peterson of Johnson City, Chairman of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, for a conversation on what it takes to lead from the producer's prospective.Hineman and Peterson discuss their operations and leadership roles and explain the distinct but complementary roles of KSP and the Commission, marking 50 years since the Association helped establish the commission structure in the 1970s. The two also revisit their shared start in Syngenta's Leadership at Its Best program and how checkoff dollars and policy decisions translate back to the farmgate.

In this episode of the Sorghum State Podcast, host Maddy Meier takes listeners inside a recent outbound trade mission to China, where Kansas Sorghum and United Sorghum Checkoff Program leaders met directly with international customers to strengthen relationships, better understand market needs and create new opportunities for U.S. sorghum producers. Joining the conversation are Adam York, CEO of Kansas Sorghum; Florentino Lopez, independent agricultural consultant with Creando Mañana, LLC; and Kim Baldwin, McPherson-area sorghum producer and Chairwoman of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. Together, they discuss the importance of international market development and how conversations with global customers help create long-term demand for the sorghum Kansas farmers grow each year.During the mission, the delegation traveled across four Chinese cities, meeting with feed manufacturers, grain buyers and industry leaders before attending the 2026 China Imported Grains & Feed Conference in Shanghai. The group shares what they learned from customers, including what they value most about U.S. sorghum and how strong relationships continue to shape future market opportunities.The episode explores the history of U.S.-China trade relationships, the role of market development efforts and how trade missions help connect producers with customers around the world. Listeners will learn how conversations that happen thousands of miles away ultimately impact Kansas farms by helping maintain and expand demand for sorghum.To learn more about Kansas Sorghum’s market development efforts, research initiatives and programs supporting producers, visit ksgrainsorghum.org. To support the future of the sorghum industry, learn more about membership opportunities at sorghumgrowers.com/join.

What does it take to move groundbreaking research from the lab to the farm? In this episode of the  Sorghum State Podcast, hosts Maddy Meier and Sanders Williams sit down with Dr. Sarah Sexton-Bowser, managing director of the Center for Sorghum Improvement (CSI), to explore how the Center is helping shape the future of sorghum.From the Center's founding in 2016 to the launch of CSIP 2.0, Sexton-Bowser shares how farmer-driven priorities, strategic partnerships and targeted investments have positioned Kansas as a leader in sorghum innovation.Learn how CSI has helped bring traits to market that are now found in more than 60% of sorghum seed sold in the United States, delivered a threefold return on investment for farmers and secured a $1 million investment from the State of Kansas to advance the next decade of research.The conversation also looks ahead at the technologies that could transform sorghum production, including precision yield strategies, water-use efficiency through the Drop XL project, new computational research tools and expanding market opportunities beyond traditional uses.Whether you're interested in plant breeding, water-smart agriculture or the future competitiveness of sorghum, this episode offers an inside look at the research and collaboration driving innovation for Kansas growers and the entire sorghum industry.

On this special episode of the Sorghum State Podcast, hosts Maddy Meier and Adam York sit down with Kansas Farm Service Agency Director David Schemm for an in-depth conversation on the issues shaping agriculture across Kansas in 2026.From drought concerns and market volatility to ARC and PLC decisions, disaster assistance programs and trade opportunities, Schemm breaks down what Kansas sorghum producers and rural communities need to know heading into the growing season.The episode also explores how FSA programs support beginning farmers, generational farm transition and the future of Kansas agriculture. Listeners will hear practical reminders on acreage reporting, farmers.gov tools, disaster program eligibility and the expanded farm safety net provisions impacting sorghum producers this year. Whether you’re a producer, agribusiness professional or simply interested in the future of Kansas agriculture, this episode delivers timely insight straight from the front lines of farm policy and program delivery.

In this episode of the Sorghum State Podcast, the theme is sorghum demand and where it's headed on a domestic front, especially for food-grade varieties.Host Maddy Meier sits down with Sanders Williams, director of emerging markets, to discuss new opportunities shaping the future of sorghum and what her role looks like within the organization.Then, Rachel Klataske, senior director of business development for Nu Life Market shares how sorghum is making its way into school and institutional food programs, and what it takes to move grain from the farm gate to the cafeteria tray.Together, these conversations highlight the growing momentum behind sorghum as a versatile, domestically driven crop with real potential beyond traditional markets. Tune in to hear how these efforts are shaping the future of sorghum and what it means for the industry moving forward.Helpful Links:CSI Seminar Schedule: https://www.csisorghum.org/seminarsJoin KSP and NSP Today: https://sorghumgrowers.com/join/