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, Adam was a congressional staffer in Washington, D.C., for members of the Kansas delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Adam lives in Manhattan, KS, with his family. Adam is a fellow of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) Program Class XVI.

Strategic • Responsibility • Intellection • Context • Connectedness

Maddy Meier is the Director of Communications and Outreach 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. Originally from Goessel, Kansas, 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 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 and a Class XVII associate of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program.