Strategic account managers and full-service agronomy centers are equipped with the latest products, programs and services to meet your agronomy needs and help you succeed.
With 14 field marketers trained in agronomy science, six full-service agronomy centers and the newest fleet of applicators in Kansas driven by professional and certified custom application drivers, MKC has what is needed in today's crop production business. Matched with the professionalism producers have come to expect, MKC offers the highest quality crop inputs. Featuring CROPLAN® seeds along with DeKalb®, Asgrow®, Mycogen®, and NK®, MKC brings forth the right seed for your acres. Offering premium products that are the choice product for midwest farmers, MKC provides products from Agrisolutions, Monsanto, Syngenta, Dow, Dupont, BASF and Bayer.
When it comes to your farming operation, every seed, every ounce, every acre and every dollar counts. In conjunction with the Cooperative Finance Association, Inc. (CFA) MKC offers financing options to meet the needs of the producer. CFA's Input Finance Program offers a variety of loan products to fit the producer's crop production and marketing needs. Full-season input financing for crop input is available at any MKC location -- your same proven source of production inputs. Questions on finance, agronomy and other production needs can be handled in a single visit.
Jared Jones joined MKC in June 2009 and serves the territories of Galva, Canton, McPherson, Roxbury and Hillsboro as a strategic account manager. Originally from Marquette, Jared earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University. In 2014, he attained his Certified Crop Advisor certification. Jared resides south of Roxbury, along with his wife, Nancy, and two sons.
Nathan Larson grew up in Kensington, Kansas on a small farm. He graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy in May 2016. Nathan interned with MKC two summers and then was hired full-time after graduation as an assistant field marketer and Winfield-United associate. He transitioned to a strategic account manager in November 2016 serving producers in the Manhattan, Onaga and Alta Vista area.
Chris Thompson started with MKC in 2008 as an intern and joined the team full-time after graduation as a management trainee. He then was the assistant agronomy manager at Groveland. Chris currently serves producers in Groveland, Inman and Buhler as a strategic account manager. Originally from Galva, Chris graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business with a minor in agronomy.
Jared Miller joined MKC in October 2009 as a strategic account manager serving customers in the Abilene, Talmage, Solomon, Longford, and Bennington areas. He also is currently a master agronomy advisor serving the northern half of MKC's footprint. A native of McPherson, Kansas, Jared earned a degree in agricultural business from Kansas State University in 2007. He currently resides in Abilene. Jared's industry experience includes positions with Wheat Genetics Research Center at Kansas State University and as a consultant for CropQuest. He is a member of the Dickinson County Pheasants Forever and the Knights of Columbus.
Brandon Schrag joined MKC in 2007 and serves producers in Walton, Peabody and Florence areas. Originally from Moundridge, he grew up on the family farm where they continue to produce wheat and milo. Brandon graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Brandon was recognized by Winfield in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 as a member of their Eagle Squadron and in 2012, 2015 and 2016 he received elite member standings.
Lucas Hamm joined MKC in January of 2012 in the trainee program transitioned to strategic account manager in September of the same year. His territory covered includes Lindsborg, Assaria, and north to Salina. Following his graduation from Hillsboro High School in 2007, Lucas attended Butler County Community College where he received his associate's degree in agricultural business and played football. Lucas continued his education at Kansas State University. He received his accounting degree in 2011. While at K-State, he was on the K-State Football team for two years. Lucas was born and raised on a farm west of Tampa, Kansas, where he continues to farm with his dad and grandfather. They operate a diversified farm livestock operation. Lucas currently resides in Salina with his wife, Amber, and son, Jaxson.
Lauren Liggett grew up on a diversified farming operation in Durham, Kansas. She was actively involved in 4-H and FFA, which led to the acceptance of a livestock judging scholarship at Hutchinson Community College. At HCC, she was a part of a National Championship Team. After HCC, Lauren attended Kansas State University where she graduated in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and industries with a business option. She held an internship with WinField United which led to an interest in agronomy. Lauren started with MKC in January 2017 through the MKC Collegiate Career Development Program. She then began as a full-time assistant field marketer in May 2017.
Jim Bettenbrock joined MKC in 2010 as a location manager in Marquette until 2013 when he transitioned to a strategic account manager. He currently serves the communities of Marquette and the western part of the MKC footprint. Jim resides in southeast Ellsworth County on his family’s ranch with his wife.
Chris Chandler joined MKC in September 2015 and serves the producers in the southwest Reno, Kingman and Sumner County areas as a strategic account manager. He is originally from Great Bend and attended Kansas State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy. Before becoming a strategic account manager, he worked as a certified energy specialist for MKC and CHS. Chris and his wife currently reside in west Wichita with their three children.
Braidyn Unruh joined MKC in 2017 and serves producers as an assistant field marketer in the Walton area. A native of Newton, Kansas, she earned a dual degree in agricultural communications and journalism and animal sciences and industry from Kansas State University. Braidyn’s industry experience includes positions with Cargill Ardent Mills in research and as an intern for MKC. Braidyn is a member of Kansas State Alumni Association and the National FFA Alumni Association.
Kevin Whitehair joined MKC in May 2012 and currently is a strategic account manager serving producers the Abilene area. Before joining MKC, Kevin worked as an agronomy manager for 15 years and spent four years in Nebraska as a supervisor and in sales at Farmland Industries. Kevin has been a Certified Crop Advisor since 1995 and received the top salesman award in his area with Farmland Industries as a crop management specialist. Kevin grew up on a diversified farm near Hope, Kansas, where his family raised alfalfa, corn, milo and wheat as well as beef and swine. He graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and industries. Kevin currently resides in Abilene and has two children.
Willie Swartz was born and raised on a family farm in south central Kansas, where is passion for agriculture began at a young age. His family grew corn, wheat, canola, and milo, and operated a cow/calf operation. Willie attended Kansas State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business in 2007 and started his career with MKC. He has been with MKC for more than ten years holding multiple different positions thru sales and management. Willie currently is a partnered master agronomy advisor with MKC and Winfield United serving the southern areas of MKC’s footprint. His goal for his current position is to work with strategic growers who currently are not using the cooperative system and bring the value proposition of MKC and Winfield United to the farm gate. He is a certified crop advisor and currently resides in Cheney with his wife Carrie and their four children.
Mike Zacharias joined MKC in 2014 as a strategic account manager. He covers the Winfield, Benton, Burns and Whitewater areas. Mike graduated from Kansas State University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences and rural planning. Mike and his wife, Jessica, live in the Wichita area.
When it's critical to have the job done right the first time, you can rely on MKC strategic account managers to help you successfully plan and manage inputs for your operation.
Contact an MKC strategic account manager to learn more about the services offered.
In relation to our tagline "Shared growth. Shared success." MKC is offering two deferred billing programs to assist growers with their fertilizer payment. The first is a wheat fertilizer program where growers can defer their fertilizer and application bill from the time of purchase to December 31, 2019. This can be for NH3, liquid, and dry fertilizer bought for wheat. Work orders and deliveries must be deferred to December. The second offer is for the application of phosphates and potassium for row crop ground. MKC will defer bill the fertilizer and application to February 29, 2020, for any fertilizer bought for row crop ground. Work orders and deliveries must be deferred to February.
What is Bayer Innovation Plus Rewards Program?
Innovation Plus™ is a program that offers growers valuable business solutions throughout the growing season. The Innovation Plus Program includes money-saving finance offers and cash-equivalent rebates.
Where is the Catalog?
As of March 30, 2018, Bayer Innovation Plus rewards will only be redeemable for cash, and Bayer will no longer offer merchandise as a redemption option.
No Paperwork Required to Redeem Your Innovation Plus Bayer Rewards
There’s nothing to fill out and nothing to mail in because Bayer will award points to you based on validated, qualified proofs of purchase, as reported electronically by participating Retailers to DATA DIMENSIONSSM. To qualify, proof of purchase must be provided by your Retailer by September 11, 2019.
Innovation Plus and the Roundup Ready PLUS® Program
For the 2019 season, Innovation Plus and Roundup Ready PLUS are partnering to bring you even more robust offerings than before! Click here to see the combined offers.