This marks the 20th year for the KLA Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA). Since it began in 2006, the program consistently has drawn young men and women from across the state who have a keen interest in the Kansas livestock industry. The 2026 class is no different.
Like the nearly 380 alumni who have gone before them, this year’s class will be exposed to the importance of KLA’s voice in the legislative process, producers’ responsibility as agricultural advocates, the need for progressive livestock operations and how other industry segments, including animal health suppliers and agribusinesses, fit into the food chain. They also will participate in KLA’s policy-making process.
Merck Animal Health again is sponsoring the program, which includes four sessions throughout the year. The first session for the 2026 YSA class will be February 16-17 in Topeka.
Members of this year’s class are James Brack, Moscow; Sierra Cargill, Leon; Gatlin Clawson, Meade; Brooke Falk, Harveyville; MaKala Fitzsimmons, Cunningham; Shane Flach, Manhattan; Casey Giffing, Ulysses; Hannah Grund, Wallace; Nick Higgason, Olmitz; Justine Johns, Minneapolis; Luke Kaiser, Grinnell; Adalaide Kline, Colby; Brady McComb, Pratt; Nick Nowak, Ellis; Quinton Porter, Hays; Jack Roenne, Great Bend; Skye Schumaker, Pratt; Baylee Shultz, Berryton; Teagan Sturdy-Milliken, Lyndon; and Taylee Velasquez, Hugoton.