Kansas Wheat
MANHATTAN — The future of Kansas agriculture depends on young leaders willing to serve their communities, embrace innovation and carry on the legacy of production agriculture. This year, three Kansas students were recognized for those qualities through the 2026 Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship.
Traditionally, the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship awards one $1,000 scholarship each year to a Kansas student. However, additional generosity from the Clutter family in 2026 expanded the program. After the family donated an additional $1,000 to the scholarship fund, Kansas Wheat matched the contribution, allowing three students to each receive a $1,000 scholarship this year.
Administered by the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG), the scholarship honors students pursuing careers in agriculture while recognizing Herb Clutter’s lifelong leadership and advocacy for wheat farmers.
The scholarship was established in 2009 to honor Herbert W. Clutter, a farmer from Holcomb, and the first president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, established in 1948. Clutter encouraged Kansas wheat farmers to organize as a unified voice, helping lead to the formation of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers in 1952 and the Kansas Wheat Commission in 1957.
The scholarship is awarded to a college or university-bound incoming freshman from Kansas pursuing a career in agriculture. Students applying for this scholarship must complete a 400-500-word essay discussing why they chose a career path in agriculture.
Among the three scholarship recipients are
Broady Goetz
Broady Goetz of Park, plans to attend Kansas State University and pursue a degree in milling science and management. Growing up surrounded by wheat and corn fields on his family’s farm in western Kansas, Goetz said his agricultural experiences inspired both his work ethic and career goals.
As a longtime participant in 4-H and FFA, Goetz has been active with livestock projects, public speaking and parliamentary procedure contests. He credits those experiences with helping him develop leadership skills and a motivation to contribute to the future of food production.
“Through hands-on involvement in organizations like 4-H and FFA, agriculture has shaped my morals, instilled a relentless work ethic, and ignited a passion to contribute to sustainable food systems for future generations,” Goetz said.
Goetz hopes to combine his agricultural background with professional expertise in milling and agribusiness to help address challenges facing the food industry.
“In a world where agriculture feeds billions, I am prepared to contribute, honoring the legacy that shaped me while forging a road toward a more resilient future,” Goetz said.