After serving on Kansas Farm Bureau’s board of directors for 17 years, Ottawa County farmer Steve Baccus has announced he will retire Dec. 3rd. Baccus served as vice president of the organization for five years and has served as president of the organization since 2002.
“Farm Bureau has been my life for a long time,” Baccus says. “There is nothing better than working for the farmers and ranchers of Kansas Farm Bureau. My wife, Pat, and I have had long conversations about this, and together we have decided now is the time.”
“Steve has been an outstanding president,” said KFB CEO and General Counsel Terry Holdren. “His leadership on behalf of our members can be seen in the strength and respect KFB enjoys across the state. The state of Kansas, and our farmers and ranchers, have benefitted from his hard work.”
Baccus began his Farm Bureau leadership role as president of Ottawa County Farm Bureau. He was the 1992 KFB District Leader of the Year and in 1996 Baccus and his family received the District Farm Family of the Year award. He is a past member of the KFB Natural and Environmental Resources Committee and a past member of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Wheat Advisory and Grain Quality Advisory committees.  
In January 2004, Baccus was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation, where he has worked to set policy and direction for the leading agriculture advocacy organization in the nation.
Baccus also served as Chairman of the Board of Farm Bureau Mutual Holding Company, Farm Bureau Property and Casualty Insurance Company and Western Agricultural Insurance Company. He also served on the boards of the Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, its parent company, FBL Financial Group, The American Agricultural Insurance Company and the Farm Bureau Bank parent company.
Kansas Farm Bureau represents grassroots agriculture. Established in 1919, this non-profit advocacy organization supports farm families who earn their living in a changing industry.