NEWS RELEASES

Contact:
Mary Fund, Communications Director, 785-873-3431, ksrc@rainbowtel.net

NEWS RELEASE - December 22, 2008
For more information contact:
Mary Howell, CWFP Field Organizer
Kansas Rural Center
marshallcofair@networksplus.net 
785-292-4955

Kansas Graziers’ Association Annual Winter Conference Set for January 17

Assaria, Kans.—The Kansas Graziers’ Association (KGA) Annual Winter Grazing Conference will be held Saturday, January 17, 2009 in Assaria, Kansas from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The featured speaker for the day is Terry Gompert, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Grazing Educator.

In addition to being a long-time grazing educator, Gompert manages his own herd in northeast Nebraska. Gompert is an advocate of extending the grazing season, as well as reducing input costs within a herd. Currently, Gompert is helping coordinate a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant to analyze input costs and overall profits for three types of beef production: organic grain-fed, organic grass-fed and grass-fed beef.

The topics that Gompert will address include: “The Functional Cow—picking the right cow for your system” and “Extending the grazing season—planning forages to reduce hay needs”.

Additional conference sessions “Ideas that make money for the beef producer” and “Lessons learned from beef producers” are followed by an interactive session facilitated by Kansas Rural Center’s Dale Kirkham and grazier Dale Strickler.

“Graziers are invited to bring ideas to share during this time. Producers benefit from sharing lessons learned on their farm or ranch,” Mary Howell, KGA secretary and KRC field organizer, said.

The conference will be held at the Assaria Lutheran Church, 124 West First Street. Lunch will be served. Registration is $25 per person, and will start at 8:30 a.m. Registration deadline is January 12. Contact Mary Howell at 785-292-4955 or e-mail her at: marshallcofair@networksplus.net  -30-

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

###
 

NEWS RELEASE - November 11, 2008
For more information contact:
Mary Fund, 785-873-3431, or ksrc@rainbowtel.net

Public Hearing to be Held on Controversial Dairy Labeling Rules: Label Claims for Non-rBGH Dairy Products Banned

Whiting, KS. - On December 2, the Kansas State Department of Agriculture (KDA) will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule that would ban milk or dairy products carrying labels such as “rBGH -free”, or “rBST free”, or “no artificial hormones”, and establish rules for labeling such dairy products.

Recombinant bovine growth hormone, known as rBGH or rBST, is a drug developed by Monsanto Corporation to inject into cows to increase milk production. According to industry, a typical increase is 5 to 15%.

However consumer concerns about health and safety of the artificial hormone have led many dairy manufacturers to develop products made with milk from non-treated cows. These manufacturers have adopted labels such as “this milk (or cheese or yogurt, etc.) is from cows not supplemented with rBGH”, or “rBGH free”.

The proposed Kansas regulation would require the processor or manufacturer to verify the on-farm claim with an affidavit that the milk is from cows not supplemented with rBGH. It would also require a product label to include the statement: “The FDA has determined that no significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST supplemented and non-rBST supplemented cows.” It also disallows statements like “rBGH” free”, or “rBST free” or “hormone free”.

Similar labeling regulations in Ohio resulted in the filing of lawsuits by The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). In Pennsylvania the Governor rescinded similar rules after consumer outcry that the new labeling rules were not needed.

IDFA argues in the Ohio lawsuit that the new labeling law imposes an unacceptable economic burden in the cost and complexity of packaging. The economic summary accompanying the new regulations proposed in Kansas acknowledges that the ”proposed regulation will significantly impact manufacturing plants which choose to make production claims concerning rBST on their labels.” Some processors have 80 to 120 different products or labels to change.

According to opponents, the proposed Kansas rule is largely the state’s response to lobbying from dairy farms that use rBGH, and the drug’s manufacturer, who feel that labels claiming “rBGH free” are misleading and violate truth-in-labeling laws. Consumers have been happy with FDA’s guidelines and have not complained about the existing labels.

Opponents argue that less than 20% of Kansas’ dairy cows are believed to be currently injected with rBGH, so why are those not using the drug the ones paying the price of increased labeling laws? They believe that the idea is to make non-use so onerous and expensive that processors will simply give up. Then consumers will have no way of knowing what they are buying-- but the manufacturer of rBGH has a chance to increase their sales.

In addition, those who follow the research trail of rBGH’s health and safety impacts (such as Consumers Union, and Food and Water Watch) argue with the FDA’s statement that “no significant differences between milk produced with rBGH and milk without the artificial hormone have been found.”

Research, opponents claim, shows the hormone increases the rates of 16 different medical conditions in cows, and that there is substantial evidence that it may increase antibiotic resistance and some cancer rates in humans.

According to information from the Oregon Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility (Oregon PSR), rBGH elevates levels of another powerful hormone, IGF-1, in cows. In excessive amounts IGF-1 has been linked in hundreds of studies to an increase in breast, prostrate and other cancers in humans.

As for antibiotic resistance, the Posilac label (trade name rBGH is sold under) itself warns dairymen that its use “may increase mastitis in cows”, and thus increase the use of antibiotics.

Sales of rBGH have dropped since consumers have been given a choice between products coming from rBGH and non-rBGH treated cows. In the summer of 2008, Monsanto, the sole producer of rBGH, sold the Posilac or rBGH division of its business. Some speculate that sales losses led the corporate giant to dump the artificial hormone.

The December 2, 10 a.m. public hearing will be held on the 4th floor training room of the Kansas Department of Agriculture on 109 S.W. 9th Street, Topeka, Ks. Written comments can be submitted prior to the hearing to the Secretary of Agriculture, 109 S.W. 9th, Topeka, Ks. 66612, or by e-mail to: leslie.garner@kda.ks.gov    -30-

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

###

NEWS RELEASE - November 11, 2008
For more information contact:
Mary Fund, 785-873-3431, or ksrc@rainbowtel.net

Meeting Agriculture’s Challenges in A Rapidly Changing World Theme of KRC December 13 Conference

Whiting, KS - The Kansas Rural Center will hold its annual sustainable agriculture conference Saturday December 13, 2008 with the theme “Meeting Agriculture’s Challenges in a Rapidly Changing World”. The one day conference will be held at St. Monica-St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 1007 East Avenue, Blue Rapids, Kansas beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m.

MORE - - -

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

###

 NEWS RELEASE - October 11, 2008
For more information contact:
Mary Howell, CWFP Field Organizer Kansas Rural Center
marshallcofair@networksplus.net or 785-562-8726
or Roberta Spencer, Jackson County Cons. Dist.
785-364-4638 ext. 136

Tour Sponsored by the Middle Kansas WRAPS Highlights Best Management Practices on Area Farms

Jackson County, Kans.—Best Management Practices, also known as BMPs, are a simple and inexpensive way to protect water quality on a farm or ranch. Roberta Spencer with the Jackson County Conservation District and the Kansas Rural Center’s Mary Howell, Clean Water Farms Field Organizer, partnered with the Middle Kansas WRAPS (Watershed and Restoration Strategy) working group to organize a tour that highlights BMPs in the area.

MORE - - -

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

###

NEWS RELEASE - September 9, 2008
For more information contact:
Dan Nagengast, KRC Executive Director
nagengast@earthlink.net
Kansas Rural Center
785-748-0959

KRC ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR NURTURING COMMUNITIES THROUGH LOCAL FOODS NETWORKS

Lawrence, Kansas— KRC is pleased to announce a funding award from the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (JFCGP) of New York and Tokyo for a project entitled NURTURING COMMUNITIES THROUGH LOCAL FOODS NETWORKS.

The project seeks to develop innovative responses to problems in modern food systems through cross-cultural dialogues between farmers, NGOs, and policy makers in two agricultural heartlands: the Kansas River Valley, centered in Douglas County, Kansas, and Saitama Prefecture in Japan (northwest of Tokyo). Facilitating the project in Japan is IFOAM Japan (Association of International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements members in Japan).

MORE - - -

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

###

NEWS RELEASE - September 8, 2008

Clean Water Farm-River Friendly Farm Project Secures Funding

Whiting, Ks. - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) notified the Kansas Rural Center of continued funding of the Clean Water Farm-River Friendly Farm Project (CWF-RFFP). The funding comes from U.S. EPA’s Section 319 Grant Funds and is administered by KDHE.

Currently, the CWF-RFFP is in year 4 of a 4-year grant from KDHE, which will end in March 2009. The newly approved funds are part of KDHE’s new funding process built around WRAPS (Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy) watersheds, using EPA 319 funds and state water plan funds to address agriculture related water quality issues in key watersheds around the state. KRC will receive EPA 319 funds to work within up to 18 specific WRAPS watersheds from early 2009 into early 2010.

MORE - - -

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

###

Cropping Systems Workshop and Farm Tour Set for October 2

Whiting, Ks. - Cover crops, long-term legume based crop rotations, and organic or “natural” production practices are useful management strategies for improving a farm’s profits while offering conservation benefits. These practices and others can reduce purchased input use, erosion, and agricultural chemical runoff, and can also provide unique market opportunities.

MORE - - -

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

###

NEWS RELEASE - August 11, 2008
FEDDEMA AND JACKSON TO SPEAK AT KRC SUMMER BOARD MEETING

Whiting, Kans.—The Kansas Rural Center announces the program for its annual summer board meeting. The meeting, which focuses on Climate Change and Renewable Energy with a specific emphasis on those issues in Kansas, is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, at Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Street, Lawrence.  Dr. Johannes Feddema and Nancy Jackson are the speakers on Climate Change and Renewable Energy followed by a walking tour of the Bowersock Dam, located on the Kansas River.

MORE - - -

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

###

NEWS RELEASE - June 13, 2008
ASSESSMENTS SERVE VITAL ROLE IN WRAPS PROCESS

Lawrence, Kansas—What is a watershed assessment and why does a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) area need one? That question was recently answered by a number of presenters at the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) Regional Watershed Seminar on May 22 in Lawrence.

MORE - - -

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

###

The Future of Food in the Kansas River Valley

On Saturday, May 31, a packed room at the Douglas County Extension Office closely followed the detailed presentations of three experts as they offered their perceptions of the Future of Food in the Kansas River Valley.

Ken Meter led a discussion of the value of our regional agricultural heritage and the potential of local food production to provide critical revenue, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, expanding markets for local growers and ranchers, increased visitor traffic, enhanced community image and improved quality of life.  Ken, an author and economist, is President of the Crossroads Resource Center in Minneapolis and economic and strategic advisor to Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Iowa State University). He taught economics at Harvard and the University of Minnesota, and earned his MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.  For more info, see http://www.crcworks.org/rural.html

•   For an pdf outline of his presentation, please click the icon.

•   For the complete PowerPoint presentation, please click the icon,
  but beware, the file size is 17.4 megs.  Even on a DSL or cable connection, this can take awhile to download.  For best results, right-click the link (on a PC, or Command+Click on a Mac) and choose the "save as" option to download a copy to your hard drive.

Rhonda Janke gathered data from the last 100 years of food production in the Kansas River Valley, which illustrated that the region once was more than self sufficient in all manner of food products, and could be again, even with a much larger population. Dr. Janke has more than 25 years experience in sustainable agricultural research and extension work in sustainable cropping systems, including as Research Director of the Rodale Institute. Dr. Janke is currently Associate Professor at Kansas State University, teaching sustainable and organic agriculture. She has conducted considerable research and analysis of the Kansas River Valley, focusing on its history and potential for greater variety and volume of food production. She is author of the recently published book, Farming in the Dark: A Discussion About the Future of Sustainable Agriculture. For more info about the book, see: http://www.universityreaders.com/publish/janke/

•  
  For a pdf copy of Rhonda's presentation, please click the icon. 3.1 meg file

Scott Allegrucci illustrated that visitors and tourists can be drawn to the area, rich in existing and developing cultural resources, and that a vibrant local food economy goes hand in hand with, and becomes part of, the attraction. Scott serves on the Kansas Rural Center Board and works for The Land Institute's Climate and Energy Project. He organized both Governor Sebelius' inaugural dinners which featured local food, and served as the Director of the Tourism Development Division for the Kansas Department of Commerce.

•  
  For a pdf copy of Scott's presentation, please click the icon. 5.7 meg file

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE - October 9, 2007
Schools Selected for Wind Energy Project

Whiting, Ks. - The Kansas Wind for Schools Coordinator Dan Nagengast of the Kansas Rural Center, and Ruth Douglas Miller at the Wind Applications Center (WAC) at Kansas State University, are pleased to announce the selection of five rural primary and secondary schools to receive a Skystream 3.7 wind turbine as part of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Wind for Schools initiative.

MORE - - -

  Click the icon to read the entire News Release.

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Mary Fund
(785) 873-3431
ksrc@rainbowtel.net

KANSAS RURAL CENTER AWARDS CLEAN WATER FARMS-RIVER FRIENDLY FARM PROJECT COST-SHARE FUNDS
07/31/07

WHITING, KS — The Kansas Rural Center recently awarded $41,356 in cost-share funds from its Clean Water Farms-River Friendly Farm Project (CWF-RFFP) to 14 Kansas farmers. Farmers in the following counties received funding: Brown, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Franklin, Jackson, McPherson, Osage, Reno, Riley, Russell, Wabaunsee and Washington. Of those, ten farms are located in high-priority Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) areas in Kansas.

To improve the water quality on their farm or ranch, approved projects must implement best management practices (BMPs). Approved projects include the following BMPs: development of alternative livestock watering systems; fencing of ponds, creeks and wetlands to restrict cattle access; installation of cross fencing (to protect water sources, improve grazing distribution and distribute manure); construction of creek crossings to reduce erosion; conversion of cropland to grass; planting riparian area with native grass to control erosion, and reseeding a denuded area.

“The Clean Water Farms project is unique in that grant funds can be used for practices common in many other conservation programs but also for innovative ideas for protecting water quality. Any practice that will show improvement to water quality will be considered for funding,” Dale Kirkham, CWF-RFFP field organizer said.

Farmers and ranchers in established or developing WRAPS watersheds are eligible to apply for up to $5,000 in cost-share funds. (See the CWFP page on KRC’s website for a map of eligible areas.) To apply, farmers must have completed the River Friendly Farm Plan (RFFP), a self-environmental assessment, and developed an action plan to address any problems found by the assessment. As an added incentive, there is a $250 payment for those farmers completing the RFFP.

Over the past two years, the CWF-RFFP allocated over $150,000 to 48 water quality projects. Over 12 years, the project has provided nearly $550,000 in cost-share funds to over 140 producers to establish demonstrations of clean water farming practices.

“Common practices include establishment of filter strips, contour grass strips and buffers, fencing to restrict livestock access to ponds and streams, and development of alternative livestock water supplies. Development of long-term crop rotations with legumes, decommissioning out-dated livestock waste facilities, and relocation of winter feeding sites are other possibilities for enhancing water quality,” Kirkham said. “In fact, the program encourages farmers and ranchers to develop innovative and practical ways to solve water quality issues.”

Contact the Kansas Rural Center at 785-873-3431 or ksrc@rainbowtel.net for more information on the Clean Water Farms Project or the River Friendly Farm Plan or visit the KRC website.

The project is funded by U.S. EPA Section 319 funds through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and administered by the Kansas Rural Center, a non-profit research, education, and advocacy organization located in Whiting, Kan.

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Dan Nagengast
Kansas Rural Center
(785)748-0959
nagengast@earthlink.net

Center for Food Safety Challenges Ventria Water Permits

The Center for Food Safety (CFS) has filed comments with the Kansas Department of Agriculture on the pending water term permit applications from Ventria for field trials of genetically modified rice., see the attached PDF document. CFS, a non-profit public interest organization opposing genetically engineered food crops, has asked that the permits be denied.

Ventria is proceeding with plans to grow three types of rice genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals in Geary County Kansas. USDA has authorized Ventria to plant up to 3,200 acres in Kansas . Harvest is planned for fall 2007. Future plantings may be ten times larger (30,000 acres). The CFS argues that the possibility of contamination of neighboring food crops creates unnecessary and unacceptable risks to the public and the environment. U.S. FDA has not approved the pharmaceuticals Ventria is growing in the rice for human consumption.

CFS argues that the water permits "prejudicially and unreasonably affects the public interest", and the proposed irrigation of experimental pharmaceutical crops is not a "beneficial use" as understood in traditional Ks. water law, and that any such water permits may impair existing water rights.

The permits are being reviewed by the Division of Water Resources within the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The CFS comments can be viewed at the CFS website at http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/policy_com.cfm,
or by clicking on this link. 

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Dan Nagengast
(785)748-0959
nagengast@earthlink.net

KANSAS RURAL CENTER ANNOUNCES WIND TURBINES FOR SCHOOLS INITIATIVE
07/02/07

Whiting, Kans.—The Kansas Rural Center (KRC) announces a three year partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado for the Wind Turbines for Schools Initiative. The initiative encourages rural high school science teachers in Kansas to engage students in wind energy education.

KRC serves as facilitator for the project that will install wind turbines at approximately five rural schools each year. Kansas State University will establish a Wind Application Center that will serve to provide technical assistance to rural schools and others. The project anticipates the provision of associated curriculums for the use of the science teachers, collection of data from each school, and the development of other scientific projects building on the turbines and data collection.

The project will install the Southwest Windpower Skystream 3.7, a 1.8-kW turbine suitable for residential use. Over 9,000 of these turbines were installed around the country in 2006. The Skystream is the first wind generator with the controls and invertor built into the turbine. http://www.skystreamenergy.com/skystream/

Hardware, including the turbine, data collection systems, and interconnection with the school’s power supply will approach $10,000. Funding will entail seeking some local support from the school or community, state sponsored grants if available, the sale of green tag credits, and some NREL support for the Data acquisition system. NREL will also support science teacher training.

If you are a rural high school science teacher, or know a teacher who might be interested, please contact the facilitator Dan Nagengast at 785-748-0959 or email him at nagengast@earthlink.net

For more information about NREL, please contact:
Ian Baring-Gould at 303-384-7021 or ian_baring-gould@nrel.gov
Marguerite Kelly at 303-384-7441 or Marguerite_Kelly@nrel.gov

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Connie Pantle
(785) 873-3431
cpantle@rainbowtel.net

JACKSON COUNTY PRODUCERS HOST LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT TOUR
06/25/07

Jackson County, Kans.—While cloudy skies loomed to the west, approximately 40 farmers gathered at the farm of Les Olsen near Mayetta for the Jackson County Livestock Management Practice tour on June 14. The tour, featuring farms throughout the county, illustrated low-cost management practices that farmers can implement into their own livestock operations.

The first stop on the tour the Olsen farm, in the Delaware River watershed, featured a bale ring feeding pad demonstration as well as a livestock waterer below the pond. The feeding pad was made from a layer of geo-textile, polypropylene fabric, three to four inches of rock and topped with two to three inches of agricultural lime. This feeding pad allows the farmer to feed livestock on a solid surface, making scraping the pad and spreading the manure on fields easier. Olsen said prior to installing the feeding pad there was manure buildup and runoff from the buildings across the area. He tiled the drainage under the feeding pad, eliminating the runoff.

Olsen attributes the feeding pad to less stress on his livestock and himself due to being cleaner. “I don’t have to fight the mud and sludge,” he said. “And the neighbors don’t mind doing chores!”

As another project, Olsen installed a below-the-pond waterer in 2003. He said this relieves a safety issue that he had for the cattle and himself. “I don’t have to chop ice,” he said. He also fenced a pond at this point and plans to fence the smaller pond in the pasture in the future.

Roberta Spencer, Jackson County Conservation District manager, said that these management practices are not just to Olsen’s benefit, “but to the water quality in the watershed.”

At the next tour stop, Stan Brock’s farm (three miles north of the junction of Highways 16 and 116) tour goers were able to see the geo-textile used in another way. Brock installed a geo-textile fabric/rock/lime feeding pad in front of his feed bunk in one of his weaning pens. Between this lot and two others, Stan said he feeds 1200-1300 calves. This will serve as a true demonstration project to see how this holds up to the usage from the calves and how it impacts water quality on the farm and in the Delaware watershed.

Spencer said the demonstration projects were paid for with a limited amount of money the Jackson County Conservation District received through the Watershed and Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) funding from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

The final farm stop was at Joe Kennedy’s farm nine miles west and two miles south of Holton. This stop, in the Middle Kansas WRAPS, featured Kennedy’s spring development as well as a storage tank, pipeline and freeze proof waterers. Kennedy was using the creek to water his livestock and received non-point source pollution funding through the State Conservation Commission to make water quality changes on his farm.

Now, with the spring development, Kennedy is able to fence the creek and utilize the three waterers he has installed. Excluding the livestock from the creek, reduces livestock waste run-off as well as erosion from the livestock traffic.

The tour concluded at Red Rock Guest Ranch, near Solider, for a chuck wagon lunch. While at the ranch, Will Boyer, KSU Watershed Specialist, provided the tour goers with more information on additional livestock practices as well as a solar pumping demonstration. Will said the cloudy weather was perfect for the demonstration as it showed that the system still worked—even with cloud cover.

John Bond, project coordinator for Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS), said the best thing about tours like this one is the farmer to farmer contact. “Farmers are likely to listen to own their own neighbors,” he said. “It is a great educational tool.”

Marlene Bosworth, Delaware River WRAPS coordinator, said tours like this are one way that we can “educate people to improve water quality in our watershed”.

“They are good practices with the farmer’s operations in mind—the projects are on a custom basis to keep cattle away from streams and protect water quality,” she said. “Projects like these are key because they illustrate something that’ll work for each farmer.”

According to Bosworth, WRAPS is a process that involves local people and organizations in a unified effort to identify and work on water issues that affect a watershed area. The Delaware River WRAPS project covers the watershed area that drains to Perry Lake Reservoir, including parts of Jackson, Jefferson, Nemaha, Brown and Atchison counties in northeast Kansas.

Bosworth said a comprehensive WRAPS plan for this watershed was recently completed that identified seven major water quality issues needing to be addressed in the watershed. Because the major land use in the watershed is agriculture, many of the water quality issues are related to agriculture’s impact on water quality including: nutrient and bacterial contamination from livestock wastes; erosion from cropland, pastures and stream banks, and pesticide runoff. Other issues include protecting groundwater wells; proper disposal of hazardous wastes, and point sources related to public wastewater systems.

Problems and solutions were identified by local people and organizations using information from scientific water quality studies that have been conducted in the watershed. “Because the local people will be the ones to implement water quality solutions, we felt it best to find out from them what the problems are and how they can be solved rather than have someone else come in and tell us what’s wrong and how to fix it,” Bosworth said.

The tour was organized by the Jackson County Conservation District and sponsored by Glacial Hills RC&D; Kansas State Research and Extension; Delaware WRAPS, and KAWS.

Top of page

###

PRESS RELEASE June 4, 2007
Contacts:
Jane Sooby: (831) 426-6606
Bob Scowcroft: (831) 426-6606

OFRF TO FUND RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANTS

Santa Cruz, CA – The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has released two requests for proposals for submission to their competitive grants program.

OFRF for the first time is specifically soliciting proposals for education and outreach projects that are targeted primarily at organic farmers and ranchers. OFRF will also continue to fund research to improve organic production systems.

The next deadline for proposals is July 16, 2007.

"We're hoping to see some innovative educational proposals," said Cynthia Connolly, an organic farmer in Florida who heads the OFRF committee that evaluates grant proposals. "In many rural areas, new farmers transitioning to organic have no support, no information from Extension--nobody is there. This outreach program might reach those farmers who are pursuing organic agriculture."

The request for proposals (RFP) for research grants has been revised. It now explicitly requires that research be conducted on certified organic research ground. There are two exceptions to this policy: when the land is not certified for scientific reasons, or if the land is exempt from certification in accordance with the NOP standards.

Other changes include the inclusion of the criteria that the OFRF board uses to evaluate proposals in the RFPs.

"These changes make our selection process more transparent," said Jane Sooby, OFRF's organic research specialist who manages the grant program. "Applicants can see exactly what we're looking for in a proposal. We anticipate ever larger numbers of high quality proposals coming in the door."

OFRF's competitive grants program is in its 15th year. OFRF has awarded 243 organic research and education grants totaling over $1.6 million disbursed to date.

A 2006 report released by OFRF showed the significant impact that OFRF grantmaking has had on the science of organic agriculture, helping to establish organic research programs at land grant colleges around the country and leveraging at least $3.5 million in other funds to support organic research and education.

The report on OFRF grantmaking, Investing in Organic Knowledge: Impacts of the First 13 Years of the Organic Farming Research Foundation's Grantmaking Program, is available free online at http://ofrf.org/publications/investing.html.

Upcoming deadlines for proposals are July 16 and Dec. 17, 2007. Read the new RFPs online at http://ofrf.org/grants/apply.html. For additional information, contact OFRF by calling 831-426-6606 or emailing research@ofrf.org.

Results of previously funded projects are also posted on the site at http://ofrf.org/funded/funded.html

Top of page

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   May 17, 2007
Contacts:
Dan Nagengast, Kansas Rural Center, 785-748-0959
Bill Freese, Center for Food Safety, 202-547-9359 x14
Bill Wenzel, Farmer to Farmer Campaign on Genetic Engineering, 608-444-0292

USDA Approval of Drug-Producing Rice in Kansas Poses Threat to Food Safety,
Say Food Safety & Farming Groups

Tornadoes, Floods Could Contaminate Foods With Drugs Not Approved By FDA 

20,000 Citizens, Scientists, Farming and Rice Organizations In Opposition

WASHINGTON — The Center for Food Safety, Kansas Rural Center and Farmer to Farmer Campaign on Genetic Engineering object to USDA’s May 16th approval of drug-producing rice cultivation in Kansas, charging that it poses needless risks to the safety of the American food supply.  USDA’s approval permits cultivation in the Junction City area of up to 3,200 acres of rice genetically engineered to produce pharmaceutical compounds that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has refused to approve.  FDA approval is not required for planting to proceed.

MORE - - -

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE: May 2, 2007
Contact: Steve Sorenson, Kansas Wildlife Federation 316-214-3001
                Troy Schroeder, Kansas Rural Center, 785-650-3182

WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION GROUPS SUPPORT FARM BILL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Coalition to encourage Congressional Delegation to support wildlife habitat improvement and natural resource conservation in the Farm Bill

Wichita, KS.   In an effort to help build support for USDA Natural Resource Conservation Programs in the next federal farm bill, wildlife, environmental, civic and landowner organizations along with several state agencies and private businesses today announced their formation of the ‘Kansas Conservation Coalition,’ a cooperative organization to help educate the general public and policy makers on the benefits of Farm Bill Conservation Programs to landowners and the environment.  

“When you consider that over 97% of Kansas is made up of privately held land, mostly in agricultural production, we must have a strong conservation title in the next Farm Bill if we’re going to have good wildlife habitat and a healthy environment,” said Don Snider, President of the Kansas Wildlife Federation. “Farmers, ranchers and other landowners depend on these programs to conserve our natural resources and improve wildlife habitat. We support their efforts and that’s why we have formed this coalition.” 

Members of the Coalition include Audubon of Kansas, Friends of the KAW, Geary County Fish and Game Association, the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, the Kansas Bowhunters Association, the Kansas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, the Kansas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Kansas Ducks Unlimited, Kansas Native Plant Society, the Kansas Natural Resource Council, the Kansas Nature-based Tourism Alliance, Kansas Ornithological Society, Kansas Outfitters Association, the Kansas Wildlife Federation, the National Rifle Association – Central Region, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, The Kansas Canoe and Kayak Association, The Kansas Rural Center and The Nature Conservancy - Kansas Chapter. 

Designed to help ‘spread the word’ on the benefits of the programs under the Conservation Title of the Farm Bill to both the wildlife habitat in Kansas and the bottom line of Kansas’s agriculture producers, the Kansas Conservation Coalition will work to educate policy makers, wildlife groups, agriculture producers, other landowners, and the general public on the benefits of conservation work on private lands.

 “When you see the improvement in wildlife habitat that has been brought about through programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), and the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP), the value of USDA Conservation Programs to Kansas wildlife speak for themselves,” said Barth Crouch, Regional Wildlife Biologist for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “When you consider the help these programs give to producers and to the environment and when you see how these programs help us continue our outdoor recreation traditions, and improve the quality of life of all Kansans as well as help support the bottom lines of our farmers and ranchers, it’s easy to come together to support the conservation title of the farm bill.”

 The Conservation Title of the Farm Bill primarily deals with locally led, voluntary natural resource programs under the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Services Agency (FSA). These programs generally work with landowners through financial assistance in the form of cost-share dollars, incentive payments and technical assistance through USDA County Offices to help protect and conserve soil, water, air and wildlife habitats. Last year over $20 million in cost-share dollars were available to Kansas’s landowners through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) alone. Additional monies were also available to landowners through programs such as the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and over 3 million Kansas acres are currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

 “Kansas land owners work hard to make a living for their families and we must give them an incentive to set aside parts of their property to support habitat for wildlife, not just game wildlife, but for all wildlife,” said Dan Haines, President of the Kansas Chapter of The Wildlife Society. “If we are going to leave our children a heritage, we must conserve nature's bounty so generations to come can enjoy and appreciate our great wildlife diversity in Kansas. The Conservation provisions of the Farm Bill accomplish that objective if funded as originally envisioned, but last year, only one in four land owners who applied for incentives were able to implement conservation measures due to lack of congressional funding.”

 "It is great that Agriculture and Wildlife groups are coming together to support these Farm Bill conservation programs," said Troy Schroeder of the Kansas Rural Center. "Working together we can help better educate farmers about the programs that are available and we can help encourage our policy makers in Washington to support these voluntary programs that improve water quality, provide wildlife habitats, and financial incentives to farmers and ranchers."

Top of page

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2007

Contacts: Bill Freese or Joseph Mendelson, Center for Food Safety, 202-547-9359
                    Dan Nagengast, Kansas Rural Center, 785-748-0959

Genetically Engineered Pharmaceutical Rice Is Not the Solution to Diarrhea

Drugs in Rice Not Approved by FDA, Will Likely Contaminate Foods

Groups Urge Ban on All Drug-Producing Genetically Engineered Food Crops

WASHINGTON — Genetically engineered, pharmaceutical rice is not a safe or cost-effective solution for infants suffering from diarrhea, concludes an exhaustive report released today by the Center for Food Safety, as the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) considers whether to allow planting of the rice in Kansas this spring. The report discusses potential adverse health impacts of the rice-grown drugs, which have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

MORE - - -

  Click the icon for a pdf version of this news release.

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE: March 15, 2007

Local Farmers Travel to D.C. to Discuss Sustainable Agriculture in 2007 Farm Bill

Whiting, Ks. - Northeast Kansas farmers, Laura Fortmeyer, Fairview, and Jackie Keller, Topeka, traveled to Washington, D.C. March 6-8 to talk with members of Congress and their staff about the national and state benefits of funding sustainable agriculture programs in the 2007 Farm Bill.

“Though most of the attention right now is on the overall state of the federal budget, the Farm Bill is not just about funding,” stated Laura Fortmeyer. “The 2007 Farm Bill will reflect our nation’s vision for meeting the nutrition, energy and fiber needs of our nation and our markets.”

“I want to see a Farm Bill that focuses on communities rather than commodities, people rather than products, good food rather than cheap food,” Fortmeyer explained. “My hope is that appropriations and the 2007 Farm Bill programs will encourage stewardship of our resource base, broad-based economic rewards, and healthy rural communities.” Laura and her husband Doug and their two children graze livestock near Fairview in Brown County.

Jackie Keller operates a certified organic farm west of Topeka where she raises milo, wheat, soybeans, and alfalfa and clover. “We traveled to D.C. because we strongly believe in the importance of programs that support sustainable farming practices and the next generation of farmers and ranchers,” she stated.

Fortmeyer and Keller, both board members for the Kansas Rural Center (KRC), were in D.C. as part of a delegation of over 150 farmers, ranchers, and farm and rural advocates attending the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s Roots to Reform farm policy summit. During the three-day period, members held over 50 meetings with Congressional offices; Fortmeyer and Keller met with staff from Reps. Boyda and Moran’s offices and from Senators Brownback and Roberts’ offices.

The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a national alliance of farm, rural, and conservation groups, including the Kansas Rural Center, that works to support federal policies encouraging healthy rural economies, family farmers and stewardship of resources, and new markets for locally or regionally produced food.

Our talks focused on several key programs such as the Conservation Security Program (CSP), a fully funded Value Added Producer Grant Program ((VAPG), and better support for organic production and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program,” stated Keller. A fully-funded CSP would offer an opportunity to begin shifting dollars not needed for commodity payments, due to projected higher grain prices, to conservation based support for farmers, which provides public benefits of water quality and soil protection and is also World Trade Organization (WTO) friendly. The VAPG provides assistance to farmers looking for alternative marketing or value added business options. Farmers interested in organic production benefit from cost-share assistance to help with the transition and from research. All of these are part of the 2007 Farm Bill being considered over the next few months.

“These programs offer a lot of help to smaller or mid- sized farms which are better for local communities and encourage production using sound resource friendly practices, according to Keller.

The Kansas Rural Center is a non-profit research, education and advocacy organization promoting sustainable agriculture and a sustainable food system.

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE: January 22, 2007

Contact:
Mary Fund, Communications Director, 785-873-3431, ksrc@rainbowtel.net  and/or;
Dan Nagengast, Executive Director, Kansas Rural Center, 785-748-0959, nagengast@earthlink.net

Kansas Rural Center Supports Push For Major Farm Bill Changes

Whiting, Ks.–The Kansas Rural Center today joined hundreds of other groups around the country to call for a more balanced farm bill – one that would make real progress toward supporting family farms, promoting entrepreneurship in rural America, enhancing conservation, advancing diversity and support for socially disadvantaged farmers, and tackling the serious hunger and diet-related health problems facing our nation’s citizens.

A report, “Seeking Balance in U.S. Farm and Food Policy,” was released today with endorsements by more than 300 organizations, including the Kansas Rural Center. The report was developed under the auspices of the Farm and Food Policy Project, a collaboration of rural, family farm, conservation, anti-hunger, nutrition, faith-based, public health, and other groups.

The report outlines ideas aimed at providing incentives for more environmentally-friendly farming systems; increasing conservation on working farms; reducing hunger and soaring rates of obesity; promoting entrepreneurship and economic development in farm and rural communities; encouraging local food production; and reducing barriers and creating opportunities for young and beginning farmers and ranchers getting started in agriculture.

“KRC’s work focuses not only on the producers of food, but on consumers and the health, safety and availability of food to rural and urban citizens alike,” stated Dan Nagengast, Executive Director for the Kansas Rural Center. “Seeking the Balance is a real attempt to define how the 2007 farm bill can provide a safer, healthier food system for all of us, and help us play a more responsible role globally.”

A complete copy of the Farm and Food Policy Project’s policy statement and recommendations may be viewed and downloaded from its Web site at http://www.farmandfoodproject.org/ 

The Kansas Rural Center is a non-profit research, education, and advocacy organization promoting sustainable agriculture and a sustainable food system.

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE: November 6, 2006
Contact: Dan Nagengast, 785-748-0959; nagengast@earthlink.net

WIND ENERGY CONFERENCE SPARKS INTEREST IN COMMUNITY WIND

Whiting, KS - Over 200 Kansans participated in the Community Wind Workshop hosted by Cloud County Community College with Interactive Television sites at Community Colleges in Colby, Butler County, Dodge, and Goodland, and Pioneer Communications Center in Tribune on October 31. Numerous legislators, energy industry professionals and farmers or others interested in community wind attended. The workshop was sponsored by Cloud County Community College, Kansas Farmers Union, Kansas Farm Bureau Legal Foundation for Agriculture, the Kansas Energy Office, Wind Powering America, and the Kansas Rural Center.

Planning for the workshop was initiated by several people who had visited community wind projects in southwestern Minnesota last summer as part of a joint tour organized by the Kansas Energy Office and the Governor's Rural Life Task Force. Participants on that trip became convinced that locally owned wind projects could greatly benefit our rural economy, if public policies can be changed to help instead of hinder their development.

To that end, the organizers brought in Jack Keers -Pipestone County Commissioner, Lisa Daniels - Founder and Executive Director of Windustry, and Tom Wind - a well-known community wind project consultant from Jefferson, Iowa. The three addressed the major policy and technical obstacles presented to those who wish to put together a project.

“It is no secret that wind energy has become developed, quite profitably,” stated Dan Nagengast, Executive Director of the Kansas Rural Center, one of the sponsors, “ in those states where utilities are required to purchase a percentage of their energy from renewable resources.” Tom Wind from Iowa, in particular, was quite envious of the huge Kansas wind resource, and made it clear that if Iowa or Minnesota had Kansas’ wind, there would be an enormous effort to take advantage of it.

Commissioner Keers spoke of the benefits to their rural economy and tax revenues from community owned wind. He also discussed a caucus of energy producing counties which has had considerable success in influencing the Minnesota legislature to recognize the value of their wind resource, and to pass legislation which encourages development of locally owned projects.

Other speakers included Joe King, who walked through a Community Wind decision toolkit, (available on CD Rom from the Kansas Energy Office) Jennifer States, from JW Windpower LLC ( a community wind developer working in Kansas), Joe Harkins, Special Assistant to Govern Sebelius, and Ken Frahm from the Kansas Energy Council. Stuart Lowry representing the Kansas Electric Cooperatives and Colin Hansen representing Kansas Municipal Utilities, Inc. also discussed the issues surrounding the integration of wind into their member associations.

A legislative panel consisting of Rep. Josh Svaty, Sen. Sharon Schwarz, Rep. Tom Sloan, Rep. Dan Johnson and Rep. Carl Holmes. closed out the program, followed by a brief tour of the Cloud County Community College Wind Energy Technology Program.

Organizers will be meeting shortly to begin exploring ways to maintain momentum. In the meantime, farmers or cooperatives interested in understanding more should begin talking with their local utility, and should contact Jim Ploger at the Kansas Energy Office for the toolkit. j.ploger@kcc.state.ks.us  Copies of all power point presentations will be available soon on the Kansas Energy Office web site. http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/energy/comm_wind/index.htm 

Top of page

###

NEWS RELEASE: October 11, 2006
Contact: Mary Fund, 785-873-3431 or ksrc@rainbowtel.net
or Ferd Hoefner, Sustainable Ag Coalition, 202-547-5754

National Coalition Calls for Farm Bill Overhaul to Strengthen Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Communities; Coalition Gives Congress and Administration Poor Grades in 2002 Farm Bill Implementation

Whiting, Ks.- The Kansas Rural Center joins the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, a nationwide coalition representing farm and rural interests, today in giving Congress and the Administration low marks for key parts of the 2002 Farm Bill, and issued a comprehensive reform agenda for the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill.

The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, an alliance of farm, rural and conservation groups, gave Congress a D+ and the Administration a C- for their farm bill efforts on ten key components of the 2002 bill. In its platform for the new farm bill, No Time for Delay, the Coalition calls on Congress to embrace reform and construct new policies and programs that promote economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and rural prosperity.

“ While some are calling for a “stay the course” approach to farm policy, we see a need for substantial change if we are to meet our future food and resource needs,” stated Mary Fund, Communications Director for the Kansas Rural Center, a member of the Coalition and an endorser of the report card. “Congress and the Administration have largely failed with implementation of the last farm bill, leaving us with a backlog of rural economic, agricultural and environmental problems. The next farm bill is an opportunity to make a long overdue substantial down payment on a new generation of food and farm policy.”

“We need a farm and food system that provides producers a decent living, offers rewards or incentives for conservation based production practices, and that provides consumers assurances of safe, secure and healthy food,” stated KRC’s Fund. “Kansas needs to address where the next generation of farmers is going to come from. We need to produce more of our food needs locally or within the region, and we need to take care of the most vulnerable in our society-- children, the low income, and the elderly.” In addition to production agriculture, the farm bill includes the food stamp and nutrition programs.

In No Time for Delay, the Coalition and KRC urge the federal government to adopt a series of key policies that are urgently needed to help new farmers enter agriculture, promote profitable family farms, enhance the environment, and build healthy, diversified rural community economies.

Among these policy recommendations, the most critical for Kansas include:

• Expanding the Conservation Security Program to reward farmers and ranchers for effective conservation; according to SAC and KRC, this benchmark program authorized in the 2002 farm bill has been underfunded and narrowly limited to a few watersheds and sustainable and organic system approaches should receive more attention for their role in environmental protection and resource management.

• Making critical investments in agriculturally-based enterprise development to strengthen rural economies; SAC and KRC support directing significant resources into programs that will enhance development of local and regional food production. Programs that serve producer needs for marketing and business development such as the Value-Added Producer Grant Program, Farmers’ Market Promotion Program; and Organic Certification Cost-Share and Organic transition payments, should receive greater emphasis.

• Addressing in a comprehensive fashion the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers; the average age of farmers is well over 50; fewer young people are entering farming; SAC and KRC support incentives to encourage the next generation of farmers and especially those wanting to enter local/regional food production.

The timing of the report and report card coincides with an election-season break in the debate on the 2007 Farm Bill. That debate is anticipated to accelerate early next year when the new congressional session begins. Both chambers of Congress have already held a series of hearings on the direction of the next farm bill.

“While members of Congress are home for the election recess, citizens should start dialogue with them about the farm bill,” said Dan Nagengast, KRC Executive Director. “The next Congress should head back to Washington ready to break the cycle of business as usual with the next farm bill and set about to do a much better job of aligning policy with public support for family farms, the environment, and nutrition needs.”

In its “Farm Bill Report Card” the Coalition gave failing or low grades to both the Congress and the Administration for their repeated actions to channel the limited funding promised in the 2002 Farm Bill for conservation, research and rural development into other, ill-advised uses. Both branches of government were also downgraded for making these cuts while not taking any action to stop the million dollar production subsidy checks to mega farms at the expense of family farmers, taxpayers and the environment.

Click the icon to download the Executive Summary of the report.

Click the icon to download the 2002 Farm Bill Implementation Report Card. 

A Synopsis of Key Recommendations plus the full text of "No Time for Delay: A Sustainable Agriculture Agenda for the 2007 Farm Bill" are posted at www.msawg.org

The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition represents grassroots farm, rural, and conservation organizations from across the country that together advocate for federal policies and programs supporting the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources and rural communities.

The Kansas Rural Center is a non-profit research, education and advocacy organization promoting a sustainable agriculture and food system.

Top of page

###

News Release: September 30, 2006
Contact: Mary Fund at 785-873-3431, ksrc@rainbowtel.net
or Dan Nagengast at 785-748-0959 nagengast@earthlink.net

Kansas Rural Center Distributes Wind Energy Quiz

Whiting, Ks.- The Kansas Rural Center (KRC) is distributing an Energy "Quiz" on renewable electrical energy to guide citizens as they talk to candidates this fall. "As energy issues rise to the forefront of political debate and decision making, we've taken a strong interest in how alternative or renewable energy sources are considered," stated Dan Nagengast, KRC Executive Director.

One area of particular interest is Kansas' abundant wind energy resource and its possible contribution to not only a clean source of electrical energy but its value to rural communities.

Kansas will soon be asked to approve a number of new power plants that will be powered by imported coal. Over 150 new coal plants are being proposed in the U.S. alone, and 850 in the world. This comes at a time when global scientific consensus is moving rapidly toward the need for alternatives to coal that do not pollute with Mercury (a toxin), Nitrous Oxide (smog), Sulpher Dioxide (acid rain), and atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (a major source of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming).

According to KRC, full discussion of alternatives for non-polluting renewable forms of electrical energy is needed. "Public policy that promotes and encourages the development of our wind energy has the potential to infuse a large new income stream into our economy," state Nagengast.

KRC's energy quiz was developed to offer citizens and candidates some basic information on wind energy, how other states have developed it and benefit, and what kinds of policies we need in Kansas. It also reference sand links to other resources as discussion and debate on this critical issue heats up.

The KRC website has both a long version of the quiz complete with background and resource links, and a short version for easy printing and hand-out. They may be downloaded here.

Or contact KRC at 785-873-3431 for more information.

Top of page

###

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ag Marketing Programs Available Through Kansas Department of Commerce

Two programs that may be of interest to you from the Department of Commerce Ag Marketing Division.

The Agriculture Value Added Loan program
    There are 3 areas of funding for this loan:

• Agritourism Attraction Development Loan Program
  The Agritourism Attraction Development Loan Program is designed to assist new/start-up and existing agritourism operators to further enhance their business operations. Agritourism is when the public visits a working farm, ranch, winery or any agricultural operation or active agricultural heritage site for enjoyment, outdoor recreation, activities, education, shopping, dining or lodging. These visits generate income for the operators, which can help sustain the rural way of life and help keep more producers on our Kansas lands. Applicants must be a registered with the Kansas Department of Commerce as an Agritourism Operation.

• Diversified Farm and Specialty Production Loan Program
  The Diversified Farm and Specialty Production Loan Program is designed to assist Kansas agriculture producers in transitioning to non-traditional crops or livestock as a means to add value to the farm. Non-traditional crops or livestock are defined as those not currently tracked by the Kansas Agriculture Statistics Service (KASS). Projects cannot be an expansion of an existing operation. Applicants must exhibit the potential for the project to generate and sustain additional revenue streams for the farm operation.

• Agriculture Value Added Loan Program
  The Agriculture Value Added Loan Program is designed to assist agriculture producers in Kansas with value-added ventures which do not qualify for the Agritourism Attraction Development Loan Program or the Diversified Farm and Specialty Production Loan Program. “Value-added”, simply defined, amounts to “further processing or alternative marketing of agriculturally derived products to capture additional value in the marketplace.” Three types of loans - Market Development Funds, Bridge Loans, and Commercialization Funds - are available through the Division.

Marketing Development funds are available for projects that explore a market or facilitate entry into a market.  Bridge funds are available for equity drives or escrow financing for start-up funds.   Commercialization funds are provided for projects that involve actual processing, equipment, physical structures, and gap financing.

The Agritourism Registration program

Wineries and vineyards can register through this free program and receive a multitude of services, including but not limited to the limited liability signage and 20% tax credit on liability insurance, or scholarships for educational conferences (such as Unified Wine and Grape Symposium or Wineries Unlimited, or a self designed winery or vineyard tour in another state)

If you have interest in either program, email slarison@kansascommerce.com or call 785-296-8132.

Sarah A. Larison
Domestic Marketing Specialist
Agriculture Marketing Division
Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66612-1354
Phone: (785) 296-8132
Fax: (785) 296-3776
TTY: (785) 296-3487
www.kansascommerce.com

The mission of the Kansas Department of Commerce is to empower businesses, individuals and communities to realize prosperity in Kansas.

Top of page

###

High Plains Food Coop Launched

The High Plains Food Coop (HPFC) is looking for member producers to sell products in the Denver metro area and along the Front Range. The new food coop will launch in May 2008.

The food coop has been guided by the Ogallala Commons, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union with a Rural Development Grant, and the Oklahoma Food Coop. Organizing committee members from several HIgh Plains states have met regularly and worked closely with the Oklahoma Food coop to launch the HPFC.

The HPFC will match producers in the High Plains Region with consumers in the Front Range through an online ordering and delivery system. The main goal of the cooperative is to increase the direct to consumer market opportunities for small and medium sized producers. The objectives are to increase income for producers, bring fresh and local products to Denver and create a unified business to support everyone in between.

Demand:

Currently, there are very few locations in the Front Range to buy quality, locally grown agricultural products. With the closing of the Boulder Cooperative Market there is a large gap between Whole Foods and Farmers Markets. While both entities operate successfully, Whole Foods is often viewed as a large corporation and although there is a healthy farmers market scene in the Front Range they operate only a few months out of the year. The need for a consistent, local and healthy alternative in the Front Range is huge! The HPFC will fill this need in the marketplace but can not operate without the products to fill the demand.

Consumer Surveys:

After surveying the target market, the initial results are:

• Over 85% of the surveys list fresh produce and meats (poultry, beef, and pork) as the items they will most likely purchase followed by herbs, gift items and other.

• The consumers list organic, local or natural as high priorities and will pay more money for the appropriate products.

• 100% are comfortable ordering from an online system and picking up their order.

• There are several consumer bases very interested in becoming members including Weston A Price Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Slow Food and Denver Health Producer Involvement.

The ultimate aim of the cooperative is to allow sales and distribution channels designed to keep the producer on the land. Transportation models will allow for the producer to drive a shorter distance to drop off the orders and be paid promptly for the product. Although the system will be established with as little imposition of time as possible the producer must be an active and committed member of the cooperative.

The producer responsibilities include:

• Logging into the online system at a predetermined time of the month to list products, quantities and prices of the products that are available to sell and deliver for the order cycle.

• Ensuring delivery of the ordered product in appropriate packaging to the closest drop off point

• Ensuring the quality and safety of the product

• Participating in special events and providing materials/stories for the cooperative marketing effort

• Responding to customer inquires promptly

Please come to the Producer Meeting March 28th!

  Click the icon to download the HPFC brochure.
For more information contact Chris Sramek at (785) 626-3640 or visit www.highplainsfood.org

Top of page

###

Kansas Department of Commerce unveils
two new loan programs for agricultural producers
Funding to assist agritourism operators, non-traditional crop, livestock producers

December 13, 2007
Contact: Joe Monaco (785) 296-3760

The Kansas Department of Commerce has announced two new loan programs to help agriculture producers who are developing agritourism operations or transitioning to non-traditional crop or livestock production.

The two loan programs –– the Agritourism Attraction Development Loan Program and the Diversified Farm and Specialty Production Loan Program –– are designed to encourage diversification among Kansas rural producers, who are increasingly incorporating non-traditional activities and production lines into their traditional operations as a way to generate additional income.

“We all know that it’s becoming harder for the traditional farmer to remain viable,” said Secretary of Commerce David Kerr. “But many Kansas producers are discovering that they can generate new revenue by making their farm an agritourism attraction or by producing non-traditional crops and livestock. These new loan programs will encourage that diversification and allow rural producers to explore new avenues within the ag industry.”

Agritourism is defined as the crossroads of traditional agriculture and tourism. Examples include tourists visiting a working farm, ranch, winery or any agricultural operation for enjoyment, recreation, activities, education, shopping, dining or lodging. Non-traditional crops or livestock are defined as those not tracked by the Kansas Agriculture Statistics Service.

Loan program descriptions are as follows:

• Agritourism Attraction Development Loan Program
  The Agritourism Attraction Development Loan Program is designed to help new and existing agritourism operators enhance their business operations. Agritourism is often described as the crossroads of traditional agriculture and tourism. Examples include tourists visiting a working farm, ranch, winery or any agricultural operation for enjoyment, outdoor recreation, activities, education, shopping, dining or lodging. Applicants must be registered with the Kansas Department of Commerce as an Agritourism Operation. Loan amounts will vary by project.

• Diversified Farm and Specialty Production Loan Program
  The Diversified Farm and Specialty Production Loan Program is designed to assist Kansas agriculture producers in transitioning to non-traditional crops or livestock as a means to add value to the farm. Non-traditional crops or livestock are defined as those not currently tracked by the Kansas Agriculture Statistics Service. Projects cannot be an expansion of an existing operation. Applicants must exhibit the potential for the project to generate and sustain additional revenue streams for the farm operation. Loan amounts will vary by project.

For complete loan program information, including guidelines and a downloadable application, visit www.kansascommerce.com or contact BioProducts Specialist Lyle Peterson with the Kansas Department of Commerce at (785) 296-6080 or lpeterson@kansascommerce.com

Top of page

###

New website for Local Foods in Kaw Valley

The Kansas River Valley Local Foods Project website is now up and running. For information on locally produced foods and their availability see www.kansasrivervalley.com. This is a joint Kansas State University and Kansas Rural Center initiative designed to connect local farmers and ranchers with institutions, school systems, restaurants, and buying clubs that are looking to purchase larger wholesale quantities of locally produced foods in the Kansas River Valley area. Please browse the website and encourage buyers and producers to join and participate.

For more information contact Pete Garfinkel, Local Foods Liaison, 785-313-4033 or krvfoods@ksu.edu

Top of page

###

TIME TO REGISTER SENSITIVE CROPS

The season for spray damage is upon us.  If you have a commercial crop or a certified organic crop that is sensitive to drift, especially 2,4-D ester, you can register it with the Kansas Department of Agriculture.  The registration program will help protect you from damage by careless applicators since they are supposed to stay current with the registry and avoid spray activities that could potentially harm crops listed on it.

To register your crop, see the KDA website:
http://www.ksda.gov/pesticides_fertilizer/content/177
download the registration form, complete it and mail in to KDA.

From the same web page you can also download several publications related to safe use of pesticides.

Top of page

###

NEW FARMER'S MARKET IN WESTON MISSOURI

The Weston, Missouri Chamber Of Commerce is proud to announce the Grand Opening this April 28th of a new Farmer's Market at the south end of Main Street in downtown Weston.. The opening of the new Farmer's Market is the same weekend as the Annual Flea Market at the Historic Burley Tobacco Warehouse and the Annual Park Board Flower Sale.

The Market booths are open to any person that raises or grows their farm products within 100 miles of Weston. The Market will be open at 7:00 am every Saturday from April 28th through September 29th. Any person interested in being a Vendor at the Market must contact the Farmers Market Committee as soon as possible for an application. Vendors may call Mary or Mel at Beverlin's Statuary (816)-640-5500, or by e-mail marybev48@yahoo.com

The Chamber feels that the Farmer's Market will be a great addition to the downtown area and will benefit both the residents of Weston and the surrounding area, as well as the local growers. Residents will benefit from the opportunity of getting fresh home grown farm products and growers will benefit from sales to local residents as well as the many visitors to historic Weston.

Top of page

###

Directory Available for Kansas Water Festivals

The Kansas Festival Field Guide connects local organizers, volunteers, supporters, and participants in the over 35 water festival events serving students and communities in over 55 counties across the state. Through showcasing the creativity, ingenuity, and positive community impact of current water festival organizers, this online directory also aims to provide ideas and inspiration for new water education events.

Please visit http://www.kacee.org/festivals to enjoy a virtual tour of water education events across the state, and help spread the word about this exciting new resource.

Top of page

###

INTERESTED IN WORKING ON A FARM AND LEARNING ABOUT FARMING?

"Growing Growers" is a new program in Kansas City to train farmers in local food production. The goal is to increase the number and effectiveness of small farms that grow food organically and/or sustainably in the Kansas City metro area. The program offers Apprenticeships on Local Farms.

Apprentices get hired to do an average of 20 hours a week of field work on farms in the Kansas City metropolitan area, attend 10 classes in basic farming practices (Soil Management for Organic Growers, Plant Production, Pests, Diseases and Weeds, and so on), and also receive one-on-one training from their Host Farmer.

Most of the apprenticeship positions begin in March. For more information, visit the Growing Growers website or call Katherine Kelly at 913-488-1270.

Growing Growers is primarily funded by a grant from the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program through K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri, Columbia, partnered with the Kansas Rural Center and the Kansas City Food Circle.

Top of page

###

PLAN TO GROW MARKET WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE

Could your farmers' market benefit from investing in a plan to grow your local farmers' market? Would you like to have your farmers' market board on the same page throughout the market season?  KRC offers custom designed planning workshops within your community to grow your market. If you are interested, please contact Mercedes Taylor-Puckett, localfoods@earthlink.net or 785-840-6202

You may download a descriptive brochure by clicking on this link.

Top of page

###

© Copyright 2007, Kansas Rural Center. All rights reserved.
Questions about the KRC website may be directed to the Webmaster.