Kansas Sorghum Producers and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, Manhattan, have added Carson Rudd as the organizations’ 2026 Collegiate Fellow.
Rudd is a sophomore at Kansas State University, where he is studying agricultural economics and building a strong foundation in food and agricultural policy. A native of Flora, Indiana, Rudd grew up adjacent to production agriculture, and found a passion for agriculture through FFA and high school agriculture classes.
“As a Kansas Sorghum Collegiate Fellow, I look forward to gaining hands-on experience in state and federal-level policymaking, market development, and agricultural research initiatives while building meaningful connections with growers through my work with Kansas Sorghum,” Rudd said.
Rudd brings a passion for advocacy shaped by his service as an Indiana FFA State Officer, where he worked directly with agricultural leaders and policymakers. Through the fellowship, Rudd will work alongside the Kansas Sorghum team as well as colleagues across the Sorghum Belt to promote sorghum at all levels.
“We are thrilled to welcome Carson to Kansas Sorghum,” said Adam York, Kansas Sorghum CEO. “His leadership background and work ethic will be an asset for sorghum producers across the region and we are excited to continue our proud tradition of offering exposure of the Kansas sorghum industry to young agriculturalists as they continue their career journeys.”
Kansas Sorghum’s Collegiate Fellowship program, offered in partnership with the Flinchbaugh Food and Ag Policy Program at Kansas State University, is now in its seventh year. The program provides students with hands-on experience in agricultural policy, advocacy, and regulatory issues at both the state and national levels through the spring in Kansas and summer in Washington, D.C.
