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Sorghum State Podcast host Maddy Meier sits down with Lanier Dabruzzi, Director of Nutrition and Food Innovation for the Sorghum Checkoff, to explore why sorghum is stepping into the spotlight. The conversation also highlights a major innovation: IQF (individually quick frozen) sorghum. From the market gap it fills to why foodservice and CPG (consumer packaged goods) teams are calling it a game-changer, they unpack what makes IQF sorghum uniquely flexible, and uniquely challenging, to work with. On the science front, Lanier shares details about a groundbreaking human clinical trial studying traditional white and sumac sorghum varieties. They discuss the health questions researchers aim to answer and how these insights could drive broader consumer recognition and farmer profitability. Tune in to hear what’s fueling excitement at the intersection of science, food, and agriculture—and why sorghum is one grain to watch.

This episode of The Sorghum State Podcast is packed with updates! Hosts Maddy Meier and Adam York explore the critical role of Oklahoma's Tulsa Ports in boosting efficiency for both bulk and value-added Kansas sorghum exports, proving that the Sorghum State is not so "land-locked" after all.  You'll also hear more about a farm-to-fork collaboration as K-State student chefs learn about sorghum's potential, bringing the crop to premium plates. Plus, Adam and Maddy share details on the upcoming commodity commission elections in Districts 4, 5, 6, as well as for the upcoming Sorghum Connection Winter series, which returns to a community near you this December. -- Interested in getting involved? Join the KSP and NSP family today at a level that’s right for you: sorghumgrowers.com/join. For more information on the upcoming Kansas commodity commission elections, visit: https://ksgrainsorghum.org/filing-now-open-for-kansas-grain-sorghum-commission-candidates/.

This month on the Sorghum State Podcast, Maddy Meier and Adam York dive into all things sorghum market advancement, starting with the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission’s FY26 budget. From supporting research and education to wrapping up the original Collaborative Sorghum Investment Program (CSIP), the Commission is keeping Kansas growers equipped for today while investing in tomorrow’s innovations. Maddy and Adam also recap the Sorghum Connection Field Day Series, which brought more than 170 attendees across three Kansas locations together for hands-on demos, ag insights, and farmer-to-farmer learning. Even if you missed the summer events, the Winter Series is coming in December, offering more chances to get boots-on-the-ground insights straight from the experts. Finally, Maddy and Adam take listeners global, covering recent trade team visits from nearly 15 countries and the 2025 Export Sorghum Conference in San Antonio. From ethanol plants and research plots to family farms and consumer products, these delegations got a firsthand look at what makes Kansas sorghum a standout commodity, from livestock feed to renewable fuels. These efforts aren’t just showing the world the value of Kansas sorghum, they’re creating new opportunities for growers in the global marketplace.

Sorghum State Podcast co-hosts Maddy Meier and Adam York guide listeners through a milestone moment for the next decade of sorghum improvement in Kansas: the acceleration of the Collaborative Sorghum Investment Program (CSIP 2.0). Together, they trace the history of the farmer-led initiative from 2016 and explore how it leverages resources for sorghum improvement while opening up the effort over the past 16 months to bolster the program into the future—with enhanced backing from leaders in Topeka. Listeners will hear from four producer leaders shaping the future of the crop: Brant Peterson, Stanton County; Kevin Kniebel, White City; Shane Ohlde, Palmer; and Andy Hineman, Dighton. These producers break down how CSIP 2.0 fits into long-term challenges and innovations with benefits of the investments returned directly to rural Kansas economies and water savings. From behind-the-scenes association strategy at the Kansas Statehouse to boots-on-the-ground farming insights from the fields of Kansas, this episode explores why this milestone matters to producers—and how Kansas Sorghum today helps lead the charge for the next generation of sorghum producers tomorrow. -- Interested in getting involved? Join the KSP and NSP family today at a level that’s right for you: sorghumgrowers.com/join

Welcome back to the Sorghum State Podcast! Hosts Maddy Meier and Adam York bring listeners The State of the Sorghum State. From a $5.8 million public-private investment earlier this spring into the Collaborative Sorghum Investment Program (CSIP)—advancing research in drought tolerance, nutrient efficiency, and forage yield through 2036—to growing international interest in U.S. sorghum for pet food, momentum is building, where a recent trade team traveled to Kansas to evaluate sorghum’s potential as a high-value ingredient in global pet nutrition. Add to that sorghum’s rising profile in school meals and the return of the Sorghum Connection field days this August, and it’s clear Kansas sorghum is stepping into the spotlight this summer.  -- Find more details on the 2025 Sorghum Connection Field Day series here.

Confidence grows with action In part two of our special series on Women’s Leadership in the Sorghum Industry. Host Maddy Meier is back with Amy France (National Sorghum Producers), Kim Baldwin and Macy Mueller (United Sorghum Checkoff Program), Kelsey Baker (Kansas Sorghum Producers), and Verity Ulibarri (U.S. Grains Council).  This powerhouse panel picks up right where we left off on the importance of collaboration across organizations—from navigating trade disruptions to celebrating collective wins, the conversation highlights the resilience, strategy, and leadership that’s moving the sorghum industry forward.  -- Learn more at www.ksgrainsorghum.org, and be sure to stay connected with us by following us (@KansasSorghum) on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates and industry news.

In this special two-part series, Sorghum State Podcast host Maddy Meier shines a spotlight on a few of the many inspiring female leaders within the sorghum industry: Amy France, Chairwoman, National Sorghum Producers; Kim Baldwin and Macey Mueller, Board Members, United Sorghum Checkoff Program; Kelsey Baker, Treasurer, Kansas Sorghum Producers; and Verity Ulibarri, Chairwoman, U.S. Grains Council and former Sorghum Checkoff Chairwoman.  In part one, these women reflect on the unique perspectives they bring to the table as female leaders in agriculture. From navigating industry-wide challenges to building strong connections between state and national sorghum organizations, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and real talk. Stay tuned for part two!  Learn more at www.ksgrainsorghum.org, and be sure to stay connected with us by following us (@KansasSorghum) on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates and industry news.

Big opportunities are emerging for U.S. sorghum in India! In Part 2 of this deep-dive episode of The Sorghum State Podcast, Reece Cannady (USGC) joins Maddy Meier & Adam York to further discuss India’s ethanol blending mandate & grain supply; the 5 million metric tonne market potential; and how farmer investments are driving export growth. Don’t miss this look into global sorghum markets & farmer-led expansion!  -- 📲 To stay connected, follow us @KansasSorghum on social platforms or visit our website at www.ksgrainsorghum.org. #Sorghum #AgExports #Ethanol

In this special deep-dive episode of The Sorghum State Podcast, hosts Maddy Meier and Adam York explore the growing opportunities for U.S. sorghum in India with Reece Cannady, U.S. Grains Council Regional Director for South Asia. The conversation covers: India’s ethanol blending mandate and its impact on grain supplyThe market potential for U.S. sorghum—how big is 5 million metric tonnes?How the U.S. Grains Council, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, and industry partners are building relationships to expand exportsKey takeaways from last fall’s Indian trade delegation visit to KansasFuture goals for U.S. sorghum in India and what they mean for American producersThe episode also highlights 65 years of the U.S. Grains Council’s work and the vital role of farmer-led organizations in market expansion! 🎧 Listeners will gain valuable insights into the future of U.S. sorghum in one of the world’s largest emerging markets. Learn more at www.ksgrainsorghum.org 📲 Follow @KansasSorghum on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates and industry news.

In this episode of the Sorghum State Podcast, we’re kicking off 2025 with exciting updates from Kansas and beyond! Join hosts Maddy Meier and KSP's 2025 Collegiate Food and Ag Policy Fellow, Andrew Le, as they dive into: 🎙️ Andrew’s journey from Wichita, Kansas, into ag policy and his role with Kansas Sorghum 💡 Kansas Governor Kelly’s $1M proposal for the Collaborative Sorghum Investment Program and its potential to transform water-efficient sorghum research 📈 National ag updates, including Brooke Rollins' nomination as Secretary of Agriculture and USDA’s climate-smart biofuel guidelines 🗓️ A preview of upcoming events like the Kansas Sorghum Producers Annual Meeting and the 2025 Kansas Commodity Classic. Remember, you can RSVP here: https://kscorn.com/kansascommodityclassic/ Tune in now and let’s grow together in 2025! 🎧

Welcome back to the Sorghum State Podcast!  Join hosts Maddy and Adam as they highlight key moments from the past year, such as KSP’s advocacy work in Washington D.C., the launch of the Sorghum Connection series, and the Commission’s involvement in critical global trade events like the U.S. Grains Council’s Export Exchange.  Learn about the exciting future of sorghum research with the appointment of Dr. Terry Felderhoff as the new lead researcher at Kansas State University, and discover how Kansas sorghum is making waves in new international markets like India. As staff and board leadership look ahead to 2025, there are even more opportunities to expand the reach and success of Kansas sorghum, and things are just getting started. -- Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming events like the Kansas Sorghum Producers Annual Meeting and the Kansas Commodity Classic. RSVP here. Interested in becoming a member of Kansas Sorghum Producers and National Sorghum Producers? Find a membership that's right for you today at this link.

In this episode, Adam and Maddy explore the incredible benefits of sorghum as a healthy and sustainable food ingredient. Join them as they chat with Lanier Dabruzzi from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, who shares her passion for promoting this versatile grain within the U.S. food supply. Lanier highlights sorghum's nutritional advantages, its inclusion in the USDA's Food Buying Guide, and how it's making its way into school meals through innovative farm-to-school programs. The trio goes on to  discuss the rising consumer awareness among health-conscious families and the rediscovery of sorghum by older generations. Tune in to hear about recent promotional successes, including a media event in New York City that caught the attention of Martha Stewart Living magazine, and learn about exciting partnerships, like the collaboration with Jennifer Garner’s Once Upon a Farm, which launched a line of sorghum baby puffs. Discover how consumer demand is shaping sorghum production and why connecting with organizations like the Sorghum Checkoff is crucial for businesses looking to tap into this growing market. Don’t miss this deep dive into the world of sorghum and its role in creating a more sustainable food future! --  Read the Martha Stewart Living magazine article featuring sorghum here. Learn more about sorghum's addition to the USDA's Food Buying Guide. Interested in sorghum curriculum resources? You can find those right here.

Welcome to the Sorghum State Podcast, your go-to source for all things Kansas sorghum, brought to you by Kansas Sorghum Producers! In this episode, host Maddy Meier and co-host Adam York explore the latest trends shaping the future of the sorghum industry. They kick off with highlights from the recent Export Exchange conference and a collaborative mission with the Kansas Corn Commission and U.S. Grains Council. Plus, don’t miss important updates on the National Sorghum Yield Contest—entries are open until November 26th!  Hear firsthand harvest updates from two of our dedicated commissioners, Jon Berning and Kevin Harris, as they share insights from the field. Maddy and Adam also recognize the Kansans named to Leadership Sorghum Class Seven, cultivating the next generation of industry leaders. Wrapping up, they provide details on how to stay connected and informed about Kansas grain sorghum. Tune in now for valuable insights and updates that matter to you! For more resources, visit us at www.ksgrainsorghum.org.  -- Enter the National Sorghum Yield Contest today! Find out more details on the upcoming Eastern tier of commodity commission election deadlines here. Subscribe to the Kansas Sorghum Leader Join KSP and NSP today! 

This installment of the Sorghum State Podcast the latest on the Farm Bill expiration and industry efforts to secure a new and strengthened bill for America's farmers. But wait, there's more! This episode features a groundbreaking segment: AI Explores Sorghum. Adam and Maddy explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence in promoting sorghum and educating the public about this versatile crop.  Before you go, don't miss out on entering the National Sorghum Yield Contest or tuning into the latest webinar hosted by the Center for Sorghum Improvement. Episode Links: Kent Winter's Interview on KWCH Moran, Marshall and Minnix Push for New Farm Bill Amy France Interviews on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers Join KSP and NSP today!  Center for Sorghum Improvement Seminar: Sorghum Adaptation to Abiotic Stress Conditions on Tropical Soils 

With the Sorghum Connection field day series under wraps, Kansas Sorghum staff look ahead to a jam-packed schedule to the months ahead: hosting in-bound trade teams; grassroots winter summits focused on producer profitability; and annual association meetings. Tune in today! KSP and NSP Membership Form Local Water Consult Meetings Schedule National Sorghum Yield Contest