Adam York
CEO
Advancing our industry through teamwork and collaboration
Adam York grew up on a farm and cattle ranch in southwest Kansas and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Kansas State University. He has worked for National Sorghum Producers as Government Affairs Director, the United Sorghum Checkoff Program as Sustainability Director and for Kansas Grain Sorghum as Program Director. Before joining the sorghum industry in 2019, York was a congressional staffer in Washington, D.C., for members of the Kansas delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives. York lives in Manhattan, KS, with his family. York is a fellow of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) Program Class XVI.
Strategic • Responsibility • Intellection • Context • Connectedness
Maddy Meier
Senior Director of Communications
Driving impactful communication that connects growers, industry, and consumers
Maddy Meier is the Senior Director of Communications for Kansas sorghum, where she leads storytelling and engagement efforts that elevate the voice of Kansas sorghum producers and promote market development for the crop. From working alongside her family’s row crop and cattle operation, Meier has deep roots in agriculture and a lifelong appreciation for rural communities. She now lives in central Kansas and earned a degree in agricultural communications and journalism from Kansas State University in 2022.
In her role, Meier manages strategic communications, brand development and producer outreach for the Commission and Association. She also supports advocacy efforts, working closely with farm leaders and policy stakeholders to amplify the value of sorghum. Meier serves as coordinator for the Kansas Sorghum Collegiate Fellowship Program, helping to connect students with industry opportunities and hands-on experience in sorghum leadership, trade and research.
Meier is a graduate of Syngenta’s Leadership At Its Best program, a Class XVII associate of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program, and was recently named to the 2025 class of NextGen Kansas’ 30 under 30.
Significance • Futuristic • Individualization • Focus • Maximizer
Sanders Williams
Director of Emerging Markets
Creating new opportunities for sorghum producers through strategic growth, resiliency and innovation
Sanders Williams is the Director of Emerging Markets for Kansas Sorghum, where she works to expand opportunities and advance market development for producers across the scope of the crop. Based in Wichita, Kansas, she brings a strong background in agricultural policy, sustainability and communications. Prior to this role, she worked under National Sorghum Producers’ Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative as a Conservation Implementation Specialist. With her work through the AMP initiative, Williams supported active sorghum producers by promoting the use of sustainable and conservative practices in their farming operations.
Originally from Lawrence, Kansas, Sanders earned her degree in Agricultural Economics with a pre-law focus from Kansas State University. During her time as an undergraduate, she served as Kansas Sorghum’s 2021 Collegiate Fellow, hosted through K-State’s Flinchbaugh Food and Ag Policy Fellowship Program. After graduating, Williams worked with the USAID’s Feed the Future Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification where she led the Lab’s international communication, public relations and engagement.
Context • Input • Connectedness • Learner • Arranger
Andrew Le
Manager of Industry and Regulatory Affairs
Securing sorghum’s success in a fast-paced world
Adam York grew up on a farm and cattle ranch in southwest Kansas and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Kansas State University. He has worked for National Sorghum Producers as Government Affairs Director, the United Sorghum Checkoff Program as Sustainability Director and for Kansas Grain Sorghum as Program Director. Before joining the sorghum industry in 2019, York was a congressional staffer in Washington, D.C., for members of the Kansas delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives. York lives in Manhattan, KS, with his family. York is a fellow of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) Program Class XVI.
Strategic • Responsibility • Intellection • Context • Connectedness
Mindy Wells
Collegiate Communications Fellow
Amplifying the sorghum message through creativity and collaboration
Mindy Wells serves as the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission’s inaugural Collegiate Communications Fellow. Wells is a sophomore at Kansas State University pursuing a degree in Agricultural Communications and Natural Resources, with additional studies in News and Sports Media Communication. She is actively involved with Collegian Media Group, the Royal Purple Yearbook, Collegiate Cattlewomen, and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, where she develops her skills in writing, media production, and leadership.
Growing up in Barber County, Kansas, Mindy gained a strong appreciation for production agriculture and the value of rural communities. She has experience as a social media intern for Sierra Cargill Marketing & Creative, where she managed digital content and marketing strategies for agricultural clients. Her work reflects a passion for sharing agriculture’s story with diverse audiences and strengthening the connection between producers and consumers.
Mindy looks forward to a career in agricultural communications, where she hopes to use her skills in media, writing, and outreach to advocate for farmers and ranchers while promoting innovation in the agriculture industry.
Carson Rudd
Flinchbaugh Collegiate Food and Ag Policy Fellow
Cultivating progress for Kansas agriculture through policy innovation
Carson Rudd is the 2026 Flinchbaugh Collegiate Food and Ag Policy Fellow for Kansas Sorghum. Rudd is a sophomore at Kansas State University studying Agricultural Economics and Global Food Systems Leadership. He is highly active on campus as a member of the Student Government Association, Students for Cultivating Change, Agricultural Education Club, and serves as a Staley School of Leadership Ambassador.
Rudd grew up outside Flora, Indiana, a rural community about an hour north of Indianapolis. Although he was not raised in production agriculture, he found a passion for agriculture through FFA and high school agriculture classes. He served as the 2023-2024 Indiana FFA State Reporter and as his state’s 2024 National Officer Candidate. Not only did these experiences expand his passion for agriculture, they exposed him to opportunities to develop the next generation of agriculturalists and connect with many leaders of Indiana’s agriculture industry.
Carson is excited to learn more about state-level policy making, Kansas agriculture, and most importantly sorghum. He looks forward to a career in agriculture policy or regulatory work for an agriculture company.
Mailing Address
Kansas Grain Sorghum
PO Box 2
Manhattan, KS 66505
Phone
(785) 707-9464