Manhattan, Kansas, USA
February 24, 2016

Wendell Nicholas, Johnson, Kansas was named 2015 Premier Seed Grower by Kansas Crop Improvement Association at the 2016 Kansas Seed and Crops Conference held in Manhattan on February 17.
 
To qualify for the award, members must have several years of experience as a certified seed producer, with certified seed being a major component of their business, must exhibit quality consciousness in all production and sales practices, and must be involved in public service activities.
 
Nicholas grew up on the farm his family has owned since 1919, and upon graduating from Fort Hays State University, returned to that farm to continue to help his father produce corn, wheat and sorghum.  Today he produces certified wheat seed, and commodity wheat and corn.

In 1988 Nicholas started growing hybrid wheat for Hybritech Seed and since that time has developed and grown his seed business.  In recent years he has grown hard white winter wheat, being one of the staple forces in the promotion, production and sales of high quality white wheat seed and white wheat grain.  He has served his industry well, both as a certified seed grower and as a KCIA approved conditioner.

In 2014, Nicholas was recognized as an innovator in farming by Kansas Water & Energy Progress for the contributions he has made with subsurface drip-irrigation in Stanton County.  He is also a leader in his community, having served on the local school board and various boards within his church.  He currently serves on the Senior Center Board.

Nicholas enjoys watching and attending sporting events and has travelled many miles to be involved in his girls’ high school and college sports events.

Wendell and his wife Nancy have two daughters; Becky, a physician in the Kansas City area, with her husband Steve and their two sons Jacob and Lucas; and Niki, a veterinarian in Ft. Collins, CO, with her husband Cody and their 6-month-old daughter Emory.

Since its inception in 1930, 163 Premier Seed Grower awards have been presented. Recipients are selected by ballot with previous year’s honorees casting the votes. The award presentation is sponsored by the High Plains Journal.
 
For further information, call Kansas Crop Improvement Association at 785-532-6118, visit www.kscrop.org, or e-mail kscrop@kansas.net.

Website: http://www.kscrop.org

Published: February 25, 2016