Beth Riffel, formerly of Tampa, is the new communications director at the Kansas Department of Agriculture in Topeka.

She started Sept. 1 as the associate director of communications and events, and became director Nov. 1.

“I enjoy being back working closely with agriculture,” she said. “The industry is truly my passion. It is high energy and, just like on a farm, no two days are the same.”

Riffel was the editor of Grass & Grain for 16 years and spent the past 3½ years as communications director at Tabor College, Hillsboro.