Dean Klahr from the Holton County FFA chapter was elected to serve as the 2015-2016 state FFA secretary at the 87th Kansas FFA Convention May 27-29 on the Kansas State University campus. Klahr was among 18 candidates running for a state officer position to represent more than 8,800 Kansas FFA members.

As state FFA secretary, Klahr will serve on a team of six officers who will travel across the state sharing their passion for agriculture, leadership and service. Kansas FFA officers present workshops and conferences across the state and challenge FFA members to serve their communities and the agriculture industry.

The 2015-2016 Kansas FFA Officer team includes: President Karl Wilhelm, Holton FFA; Vice President Bailey Peterson, Buhler FFA; Secretary Dean Klahr, Holton FFA; Treasurer Lane Coberly, Chapman FFA; Reporter Kyler Langvardt, Chapman FFA; and Sentinel Gabryelle Gilliam, Washington County FFA.

A four-year FFA member, Klahr has served as Chapter President and North Central District Vice President. His Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) focuses on work with the Jackson County Conservation District and his cattle operation. He plans to attend Kansas State University next fall in order to one day work in the animal feed industry.

Dean is the son of Dennis and Eunice Klahr, and his advisors are Alex Bartel and Jason Larison.

The Kansas FFA Association is a statewide organization of 8,850 agricultural education students in 176 chapters in every corner of Kansas. It is part of the National FFA Organization, a national youth organization of 610,240 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 7,665 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ksffa.org for more information.