Every strong industry depends on the people willing to carry it forward, and agriculture is no exception. This week, the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City turned a well-deserved spotlight on four professionals who are doing exactly that, naming them the 2026 Young Leaders in Agribusiness.
Announced on June 8, the honor recognizes emerging professionals who are already making meaningful contributions to their organizations and the broader agricultural industry, all while showing the kind of leadership potential that gives those of us in farming country reason for optimism. These are the folks who innovate, collaborate, and serve, and who understand that the future of agriculture is built one steady decision at a time.
“We are proud to recognize these outstanding professionals for their achievements and leadership potential,” said Kristie Larson, Chair of the Agricultural Business Council and Strategic Relationship Manager for The DeBruce Foundation. “Agriculture depends on talented leaders who are willing to innovate, collaborate, and serve. This year’s honorees are already making meaningful contributions to their organizations and communities, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will have on the future of our industry.”
The first of this year’s honorees is Dr. Garret Ashabranner, who serves as Program Manager for the Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions program at Kansas State University Olathe, a partnership with the Association of American Feed Control Officials. In that role, he oversees scientific evaluations of new animal food ingredients and coordinates a nationwide network of experts who support ingredient review and regulatory science. Before joining K-State Olathe, he served with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. He is recognized for advancing science-based regulatory innovation, mentoring future professionals, and strengthening animal food ingredient science, work that ultimately helps keep livestock healthy and producers confident in what they feed their animals.
Joining him is Morgan Attaria, Senior Manager of DFA Risk Management at Dairy Farmers of America. Attaria leads initiatives focused on operational effectiveness, risk management programs, and farmer-owner service. Over the course of her ten-year career with DFA, she has advanced through a range of leadership roles spanning producer education, commercial risk management, and operations. She is known for a people-first leadership style, a genuine commitment to mentorship, and her contributions to programs and strategies that support dairy farmer-owners, processing operations, and customers alike, a reminder that behind every gallon of milk are real families counting on sound decisions.
Dr. Logan Britton, an Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University, rounds out the educators among this year’s class. Since joining the faculty in 2020, Britton has taught more than 1,100 undergraduate and 50 graduate students preparing for careers in agribusiness, agricultural finance, logistics, and supply chain management. His applied research focuses on consumer behavior, food and agricultural supply chains, and emerging technologies, and his efforts have secured nearly $4 million in funded projects while earning national recognition for excellence in teaching, advising, and leadership. For the young people he mentors, his classroom is often the first step toward a lifetime in agriculture.
Finally, Pete Oppliger, a Senior Principal Production Engineer with Bayer Crop Science, brings the hands-on engineering side of agribusiness to the group. Oppliger supports manufacturing operations and optimization efforts for key crop protection products and has held a variety of engineering and operational leadership roles, including helping launch a new manufacturing process in Germany. A licensed Professional Engineer, he is recognized for his collaborative leadership, commitment to operational excellence, and community involvement, along with a reputation for taking on new challenges whenever evolving business needs call for it.
The 2026 Young Leaders in Agribusiness will be formally recognized during the Agricultural Business Council’s Summer Social on July 16, 2026, at the American Royal in Kansas City.
The recognition also underscores just how important agriculture remains to the Kansas City region. The Agricultural Business Council represents more than 700 leaders from across the food and agribusiness value chain, and agribusiness continues to serve as a cornerstone of the regional economy, accounting for roughly 8 percent of the workforce and 22 percent of the region’s gross regional product.
For growers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals watching the next generation step up, recognition like this is more than a ceremony. It is a reassurance that the values and hard work that built American agriculture are in capable hands, ready to be passed along to those who come next.
To learn more about the 2026 Young Leaders class, including photos, visit www.agbizkc.com/news or contact Zach Helder at zach.helder@agbizkc.com.