Kansas to elect three new conservation commissioners
KANSAS (KSNT) - The State Conservation Commission will be holding an election soon to appoint three new members during this year's annual conference later this month.
Elections will be held during the annual Kansas Association of Conservation Districts conference on Nov. 24. Nominations for each commissioner will be held at the conference during each region's respective caucus earlier that day.
The State Conservation Commission is a part of the state's Department of Agriculture. It exists to support the Secretary of Agriculture as well as the Division of Conservation, dedicated to the conservation of natural resources. The commission consists of five elected commissioners, two appointed representing the Kansas State University Agriculture Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, as well as two representing the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Commissioners are elected every year, with areas one, three and five in odd years, and areas two and four in even years. This year, an odd year, means that districts one, three and five are up for election.
These positions are currently held by Ted Nighswonger (Area one), Sam Sanders (Area two) and Rodney Vorhees (Area five, chairperson). Elected commissioners serve two-year terms and reside within the region they represent.
Commissioners will work collaboratively to protect and enhance Kansas's environment through the review, development and maintenance of policies, guidelines, regulations and programs designed to assist individuals, non-governmental organizations, and all levels of government in conserving the state’s natural resources.
The conference will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23 at the Hyatt Regency located at 400 W. Waterman St. in Wichita and is open to the public. For more information about the meeting or to request a copy of the agenda, contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Conservation at kda.doc@ks.gov or by phone at 785-564-6620.
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