All Kansas farmers are invited to the Kansas Commodity Classic in Manhattan on Feb. 13, to gain in-depth information on grain markets, a 2014 weather outlook, and projects in some of the state's key commodities. Mitch Holthus, the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs, will be the featured speaker.

The Commodity Classic is the annual convention of the Kansas Corn, Wheat and Grain

Sorghum Associations, and will take place at the Four Points Inn, 530 Richards Drive, Manhattan, Kan., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. It is free to attend and includes a complimentary lunch.

The Classic will be emceed by 2011 National Farm Broadcaster of the Year Greg Akagi, from WIBW and the Kansas Agriculture Network.

The morning session will open at 9:00 a.m., with remarks from Acting Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey, followed by a presentation on the Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas. The Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas will align the priority of growing the Kansas economy with the strategies and actions necessary to ensure a reliable water supply is available to support that growth. Growers will have the opportunity to discuss the vision and ask questions.

A meteorologist will discuss the weather outlook for 2014. John Floros, dean of K-State College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension will make comments about current projects.

Shannon Schlecht, director of policy, U.S. Wheat Associates, will discuss exports and trade. Schlecht is located in USW Headquarters in Arlington, Va. He has also had stints in USW's Middle East, East and North Africa Region in Cairo, Egypt, and West Coast Office in Portland, Ore.

Darrell Holaday, of Country Futures in Frankfort, Kan., will provide an update on commodity markets.

After lunch, Mitch Holthus, the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs, will be the featured speaker, sponsored by Frontier Farm Credit.

Holthus is the longest tenured and most decorated play-by-play "voice" in franchise history. Holthus is also the host of the Hy-Vee Chiefs Insider television show. In addition, he originates the "Minute with Mitch" radio and television series which is seen and heard in five states. His work is also featured on kschiefs.com.

Following the NFL season, Holthus is a television play-by-play announcer for college basketball. His work has been featured on the ESPN family of networks, Fox Sports and other national outlets. He primarily covers the Big 12 Conference and the Missouri Valley Conference and is a past recipient of the John Sanders "Spirit of the Valley" Award.

In September 2012, Holthus was awarded an Emmy for his video and online work by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In addition, he was named the Kansas City Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and is a past president of the organization. Holthus has two degrees from Kansas State University: one in journalism and another in business administration.

The Kansas Commodity Classic is sponsored by the Kansas Agriculture Network, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. The event is free to attend, but pre-registration is encouraged by calling 866-759-4328 or visit our website at kswheat.com.