Kansas Wheat Commission

The Kansas Wheat Commission is a grower-funded, grower-governed advocacy organization working to secure the future of Kansas wheat in the global market through international trade, research, export system studies and continually improved varieties of wheat. 

Its mission is to increase wheat producer productivity and profitability through research, education and domestic and international market development. The KWC is funded by a voluntary, two cent check-off on each bushel of wheat produced in Kansas.

Meet the Kansas Wheat Commissioners

  • Gary Millershaski

    Chairman

    Gary Millershaski served on the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers from 2007 to 2017. He became a Kansas Wheat Commissioner in 2016. He became interested in joining KAWG after he received a...

  • Jason Ochs

    Vice Chairman

    Jason Ochs joined the Kansas Wheat Commission in 2010 in order to represent farmers in Western Kansas.

  • Derek Sawyer

    Derek Sawyer

    Secretary/Treasurer

    Derek Sawyer was appointed to the Kansas Wheat Commission in 2019.  As a fourth-generation farmer, he raises wheat, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum and feed on his family’s farm in McPherson County. ...

  • Mike McClellan

    Immediate Past Chairman

    Mike is a second generation wheat commissioner from Plainville who farms in Rooks and Graham Counties. 

  • Doug Keesling

    Central Kansas

    Doug Keesling is a fifth-generation farmer from East Central Kansas. With more than 30+ years’ experience in farming, agribusiness, and agriculture policy, Keesling has participated in nearly every...

  • Martin Kerschen

    South Central Kansas

    Martin Kerschen is a fifth generation producer from south-central Kansas operating a 2500 acre farm of wheat, soybeans, corn and sorghum in rotation.

  • Nathan Larson

    Nathan Larson

    Eastern Kansas

    Larson was appointed to the Kansas Wheat Commission in 2019. 

  • Brian Linin

    Northwest Kansas

    Brian Linin, North West Kansas, was elected to the KWC in 2009. Brian farms with his Dad on the family farm, where they grow wheat, corn, dry beans, and milo.  Brian also does some contract financial...

  • Ron Suppes

    West Central Kansas

    Suppes has been a Kansas Wheat Commissioner since 2003, serving as Chairman in 2013-2014. He was Chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates from 2007-2008, and currently serves a member of the Board of...