Jesse McCurry has been selected to fill the newly created position of executive director of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association under the banner of Kansas Grain Sorghum.

The boards of the two organizations recently came together under a combined banner to advance the interests of Kansas sorghum farmers.

McCurry, who lives in Colwich, is an experienced agricultural advocate, with expertise in agriculture, ethanol and public policy. He most recently worked for National Sorghum Producers and United Sorghum Checkoff Program as a regional director.

NEW DIRECTOR: Jesse McCurry of Colwich is the new executive director of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and Kansas Grain Producers Association.

“I am extremely excited to have Jesse coming on staff with our team. He brings a vast knowledge of Kansas agriculture as well as the sorghum industry, not only in Kansas but across the sorghum belt," said Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission Chairman Stephen Bigge, a farmer from Stockton. "I believe with Jesse’s leadership Kansas Grain Sorghum will be able to help provide the sorghum growers a valuable service as we continue to work to advance this crop.”

Kent Winter, president of Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association and a farmer from Mt. Hope, also praised the appointment of McCurry.

"We recognize that Jesse has worked diligently during his professional career to cultivate and maintain deep relationships with key players across the spectrum of Kansas agriculture, including the sorghum, livestock and ethanol sectors. Jesse's stellar background will serve Kansas sorghum interests well as he engages with policy and legislative discussions that will influence sorghum's future in Kansas, both in production agriculture and end-user settings," Winter said.

McCurry joins a grower base, staff and leadership team that has established Kansas as the largest grain sorghum-producing state in the United States.

Previously, McCurry served as an economic development representative at Kansas Department of Commerce, business development representative at KCOE ISOM and director of individual giving at Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters.

McCurry serves on the KARL Inc. board of directors, the Kansas Technical Committee for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Regional Advisory Committee for the Equus-Walnut.

He holds a master’s. in speech communication and a bachelor’s in agricultural communications and journalism from Kansas State University.

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission directs investment of funds generated by the grain sorghum checkoff to enhance the profitability of the Kansas grain sorghum producer.

Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association gives growers a voice in legislative, regulatory and industry affairs and is funded by membership dues.

For more information, go to ksgrainsorghum.org.