KFAC announces the appointment of five new board members

MANHATTAN, KANSAS, February 21, 2024 – Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC) announces the appointment of five new board members for the 2024 calendar year. This completes the 2024 Board of Directors roster of 15 appointed members, two ex-officio members, and one appointed ex-officio.

New board members include Amanda Strait, Concordia; Karlee Legleiter, Leibenthal; Jennifer Standley, Garden City; Amanda Lickteig, Manhattan; and Ken Rahjes, Agra. Strait, Legleiter, and Standley will all serve a three-year term on the board of directors.

Amanda is the Director of Online Services at Cloud County Community College. Serving on KFAC's finance committee for the last two years, she is familiar with the organization and will serve as the treasurer on the board. She joined the KFAC team to help grow knowledge about agriculture in Kansas; from a personal garden to a large commercial farm, they all impact our lives.

Amanda Lickteig is a Teaching Associate Professor at Kansas State University's College of Education, primarily in the Global Education Outreach office. Lickteig joins the board as the College of Education liaison to serve as a link between KFAC and the university. She is no stranger to agriculture, having grown up on a farm in rural Kansas, and is excited to help support KFAC's mission.

Karlee Legleiter is a Revenue Agent for the State of Kansas Department of Revenue. She joined KFAC to help make a difference in the lives of our future generations and is excited to contribute to the board and finance committee. She and her husband are 5th-generation farmers in Rush County, running a grain and cow-calf operation.

Jennifer Standley works at Magic HOPE, a therapeutic Equine and Animal Assisted Learning Center, is a farmer, and is a former teacher. As someone heavily involved in both agriculture and education, she believes it is important for all teachers to have access to curriculum and activities like KFAC's.

Ken Rahjes is a Kansas State Representative for District 110. He is currently the Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and a member of the Appropriations Committee. He is a long-time supporter of KFAC, and we are happy to have him as our first appointed ex-officio member. He will be helping us with state-level relationships and legislative matters.

"I am happy to welcome members from across Kansas to the board of directors as we focus on expanding our reach and strengthening relationships with networks in new areas of Kansas," said Nancy Zenger-Beneda, KFAC Executive Director. "Our new class of directors and committee members are passionate about our mission, and we are thrilled to welcome them."

More information about the KFAC board of directors, including current members, can be found on the KFAC website at www.ksagclassroom.org.