Courtesy of the Cottonwood Extension District
The Cottonwood Extension District (Ellis and Barton counties) has two executive board positions in Ellis County with elections this year. There are three candidates that have filed for these positions. Here are short bios on the candidates. The Cottonwood Extension Board, as with any board, is tasked with both planning and implementation of district activities as well as oversight.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To find your polling location, click here.
Tatum Kimzey - incumbent
Tatum is a longtime extension member, volunteer, and 4-H leader. She served on the Ellis County Extension board prior to the formation of the Cottonwood District. She has served the last four years on the Cottonwood Extension District as treasurer.
She enjoys being a part of the important work that the Cottonwood Extension District is doing.
As an Ellis County taxpayer and a CPA she strives to be fiscally responsible with the direction of the extension district. She looks forward to continuing as a board member.
Allen Roth - incumbent
Allen has served on the Cottonwood Extension executive board since 2017 when the district was formed. He has been involved in agricultural activities in Ellis County his entire life. He operates a small farm in southern Ellis County with wheat, milo, and stocker cattle. Allen has BS and MS degrees from K-State.
Diana F Pantle
Diana is a resident of Hays. She is an Ellis County Master Gardener, where she serves on the Advisory Council. She is the former secretary of the Friends of Barr Lake (Colorado) board and is a current member of the Hays Public Library Foundation board.
She has a BS degree in Animal Science from Colorado State. Diana is a lifelong gardener. Diana believes that the Cottonwood Extension District is an important part of the Barton and Ellis county communities.
As, by definition, it's a local arm of Kansas State Research and Extension, and the various districts help to improve the lives of Kansans through education and research.
She feels that her background in education, experience and public interactions through numerous activities would benefit the board as it works through the various demands on the district. Through her current Master Gardener affiliation, she has been involved with the district and understands its inner workings. As a co-leader of a local 4H group, she is also aware of the commitment to the youth of the area.