27 May 2005

Governor Sebelius appoints four to State Board of Agriculture

Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced the appointments of Jay Garetson and Kenneth R. Palmgren and the reappointments of Ann Peuser and Roland Rhodes to the State Board of Agriculture. Each will serve a four-year term.

The State Board of Agriculture serves in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Secretary of Agriculture to review and make recommendations on department legislative initiatives and proposed rules and regulations.

“Kansas’ agricultural foundation is an important part of our state’s economy,” Governor Sebelius said. “These individuals will help aid our state in our continued agricultural ventures.”

Garetson, Copeland, is the owner and general manager of Providence Transport, L.L.C. He is a founding member of Northwest Cotton Growers Coop Gin in which he collaborated with area producers in organizing, planning, funding and implementing the first cotton gin in southwest Kansas. Garetson is a farm owner and operator of Garetson Bros. Partnership and an elevator manager for Providence Grain, L.L.C. He is a member of the Kansas Corn Growers Association, Southwest Kansas Irrigation Association, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Plains Cotton Cooperative Association and the Kansas Grain and Feed Association.

Palmgren, Edson, is the owner and operator of V & K Farms, a 2,760 acre farm which includes wheat, corn, milo, sunflowers, alfalfa and sweet sorghum and 50 head of cows each year. Palmgren has served on the boards of Great Plains Electric, Midwest Energy, and Sherman County Extension Council. Palmgren was a member of the Kansas Wheat Commission from 1997 to 2002.

Peuser, Baldwin, is the owner and operator of Clinton Parkway Nursery, since 1986. She has also been the manager of Grass Roots Garden Center in Pratt and manager of Willis Nursery in Ottawa. Peuser is past president of Kansas Nursery and Landscape Association, vice president of Kansas Horticulture Society and was the Kansas representative to the American Nursery and Landscape Assocation. She is currently president of the Kansas Hort Industries Council and the show chairman for the Lawrence Garden & Home Show.

Rhodes, Gardner, was owner and operator of Aristo Farm, which included a horse breeding program, until 1991. He is also president of Rhodes Chemical Company, Inc. He has over 46 years of experience in research, product development, production, and sales-distribution, specifically in liquid and aerosol insecticide products.