(a) There is hereby established, within and as a part of the Kansas department of agriculture, the agriculture marketing and promotions program.

(b) (1) The secretary of agriculture shall appoint such employees as may be needed to carry out the powers and duties of the program, and all such officers and employees shall be within the classified or unclassified service.

(2) All employees shall act for and exercise the powers of the secretary of agriculture to the extent that authority to do so is delegated by the secretary of agriculture.