The Kansas Kontact
The Kansas Kontact is the official publication of the Kansas Farmers Union and is published quarterly and mailed to members.
Current Issue: Summer 2021
President’s Report
SURVEY: Exploring Future Chapter Options
2021 Kansas Farmers Union Notice of State Convention
2022 Policy Drafting begins Online in October
Corporate power in the livestock industry is harming farmers, NFU’s Larew tells Senate Judiciary Committee
Herb Bartel Selected to Serve on NFU Climate Change Policy Advisory Panel
Urban Farming Fall Gathering Scheduled
2021 Kontact Archive
Clicking on one of the tabs below shows the cover image and top articles for that month.
Below the cover image are links to read that month’s articles online or to download a PDF of that issue.
- President’s Report
- Challenges of farming in the 2020s research project
- Where there is a will, there is a way…to be a farmer!
- Upcoming Food Safety Trainings
- KFU hosts its first virtual convention
- Nemaha CO’s Gerard Steinlage Receives KFU’s 2020 Ruth Hirsh Award
- Olivia Taylor-Puckett recognized as KFU Emerging Leader
- 2020 Special Orders of Business
- Jerry Nolte Named KFU’s FUMA Agent of the Year
- All are fed. No one is Hungry!
View the Spring 2021 Kontact on ISSUU.
Download a PDF of the Spring 2021 Kontact (2.8 MB)
- President’s Report
- SURVEY: Exploring Future Chapter Options
- 2021 Kansas Farmers Union Notice of State Convention
- 2022 Policy Drafting begins Online in October
- Corporate power in the livestock industry is harming farmers, NFU’s Larew tells Senate Judiciary Committee
- Herb Bartel Selected to Serve on NFU Climate Change Policy Advisory Panel
- Urban Farming Fall Gathering Scheduled
- FARMERS UNION INSURANCE DISCOUNT
View the Summer 2021 Kontact on ISSUU.
Download a PDF of the Summer 2021 Kontact (2.8 MB)
2020 Kontact Archive
Clicking on one of the tabs below shows the cover image and top articles for that month.
Below the cover image are links to read that month’s articles online or to download a PDF of that issue.
- President’s Report
- Welcoming 100+ New Members
- Statehouse Legislative Update
- 2019 Policy Advocates & NFU Fly-In
- KFU representative serving on ‘20 NFU Policy Committee
- 2019 KFU State Convention Coverage
- Creative Grower Connections Chapter Launches
- 2020 Special Orders of Business
- KFU’s 2019 Ruth Hirsh Awards
- Kansas legislators predict hot topics for the 2020 session
- FARMERS UNION INSURANCE DISCOUNT
- NEW! DILLONS COMMUNITY REWARDS: Support the KFU Foundation
View the Winter 2020 Kontact on ISSUU.
Download a PDF of the Winter 2020 Kontact (2.8 MB)
- President’s Report
- The Independent American Farmer
- KFU receives funding to continue FSMA Project
- Virtual Road Trip to KFU State Convention
- 118th Annual NFU Convention
- Statehouse Legislative Update
- 2021 KFU Policy Drafting
- FARMERS UNION INSURANCE DISCOUNT
View the Autumn 2020 Kontact on ISSUU.
Download a PDF of the Autumn 2020 Kontact (2.8 MB)
2019 Kontact Archive
Clicking on one of the tabs below shows the cover image and top articles for that month.
Below the cover image are links to read that month’s articles online or to download a PDF of that issue.
- Statehouse Legislative Update
- NE Kansas Chapter Launches
- CLIMATE CHANGES: NFU president assesses uncertain farm economy
- American healthcare getting more expensive, less effective
- 2019 KFU Policy Statement
- PAGES FROM A BOOK: Federal Reserve publication ignites interest in developing food systems
- Forrest Buhler and Char Henton Receive KFU’s 2018 RUTH HIRSH AWARD
- Thinking Outside the Box: North Central Farm Tour
- Farmer Veteran Coalition of Kansas seeks Farms to host apprentices
- KFU TO LAUNCH NEW POLICY ADVOCATES PROGRAM
- Backwards from Conventional: Courtland’s Dale Strickler redefines pasture
- APPLY TODAY: National Farmers Union’s Beginning Farmer Institute
Read the Winter 2019 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Winter 2019 Kontact (2.8 MB)
- President’s Report
- Statehouse Legislative Update
- The Kansas AgrAbility Project
- ‘What size tumbleweed would you like?’ and other tales from the Kansas frontier
- 2019 KFU State Convention scheduled for December 4-5 in Lawrence
- KFU Policy Advocates: Apply Today
- 2020 KFU Policy Drafting
- FARMERS UNION INSURANCE DISCOUNT
Download a PDF of the Summer 2019 Kontact (1.6 MB)
- President’s Report
- 2018 State Convention: Rural Resilience
- The Forgotten Crop: Industrial Hemp
- Fly-In: Taking Kansas Voices to D.C.
- Thinking Outside the Box: Rolling Acres Farm
- Thinking Outside the Box: Rosmann Family Farm
- Thinking Outside the Box: Nees Family Farm
- Give the Gift of KFU Membership
Read the Autumn 2018 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Autumn 2018 Kontact (2.6-8 MB)
2018 Kontact Archive
Clicking on one of the tabs below shows the cover image and top articles for that month.
Below the cover image are links to read that month’s articles online or to download a PDF of that issue.
- Senator Kassebaum Baker Receives KFU’s 2017 Ruth Hirsh Award
- AMERICA AT THE INTERSECTION OF HOPE AND DOUBT
- BRIDGES: Making connections in a changing world
- Holding the Line: Thoughts on drafting a new Farm Bill
- STATEHOUSE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
- WASHINGTON CORNER: February 2018
Read the Winter 2018 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Winter 2018 Kontact (1.6 MB)
- President’s Report
- Reflections on the Evolution of a Beginning Farmer
- Bridges Between Generations
- DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY: Iowa’s organic farmers focus of KFU “Thinking Outside the Box” farm tour
- 2018 KFU State Convention scheduled for November 29 and 30 in Mayetta.
- NEW! DILLONS COMMUNITY REWARDS: Support the KFU Foundation
- Industrial Hemp: Is it a miracle crop or another tool in the farmer’s tool box?
Read the Summer 2018 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Summer 2018 Kontact (1.6 MB)
- President’s Report
- 2018 State Convention: Rural Resilience
- The Forgotten Crop: Industrial Hemp
- Fly-In: Taking Kansas Voices to D.C.
- Thinking Outside the Box: Rolling Acres Farm
- Thinking Outside the Box: Rosmann Family Farm
- Thinking Outside the Box: Nees Family Farm
- Give the Gift of KFU Membership
Read the Autumn 2018 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Autumn 2018 Kontact (2.6-8 MB)
2017 Kontact Archive
Clicking on one of the tabs below shows the cover image and top articles for that month.
Below the cover image are links to read that month’s articles online or to download a PDF of that issue.
- President’s Report
- Anderson’s Last Op-Ed
- Farmers Market on Wheels
- 2017 KFU Policy Statement
- Transition to New Presidential Administration
- GIPSA Admin: Hell of a Ride
- Ruth Hirsh Award presented to Three Farm Advocates
- Lessons from the 80s Farm Crisis
- Food Safety Grant Received
- Telemedicine Option Available
Read the Winter 2017 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Winter 2017 Kontact (2.1 MB)
- President’s Report
- Join KFU & Friends for Farm Bill Listening Sessions
- Bus Tour to Showcase Wichita-area Farms and Food Safety Management
- A Son’s Tribute: FINAL GIFT WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED
- 2017 Legislative Report
- Washington Corner: July 2017
- Amidst a Severe Economic Downturn for Farmers, Congress Must Create a Functional, Adequately Funded Farm Safety Net
- Join the KFU Delegation to NFU Fly-In
- 2017 State Convention Set for December 1-2 in Emporia
Read the Summer 2017 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Summer 2017 Kontact (1.8 MB)
- President’s Report
- Next It May Be You: Tyson Poultry Complex in Kansas on Hold but Not Gone
- WILL A TYSON CHICKEN PLANT BE GOOD FOR KANSAS?
- KFU Participates in Senator Moran’s Conservation Tour
- 2017 KFU State Convention Set for Dec 1-2 in Emporia
- CHASING THE FLAVOR: Produce Farm Twilight Tour highlights specialty crop farms and basics of post-harvest handling
- Fly-In Elevates Farm Voices
- Kansans Testify on Behalf of Ag Mediation Programs
- NFU execs listen to local farmers’ Farm Bill concerns
- DESERTION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL
- Telemedicine available for Farmers Union Members
Read the Autumn 2017 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Autumn 2017 Kontact (2.3 MB)
2016 Kontact Archive
Clicking on one of the tabs below shows the cover image and top articles for that month.
Below the cover image are links to read that month’s articles online or to download a PDF of that issue.
- President’s Report
- Amazing Grazing Project
- KFU Convention: Open the Sky
- 2016 KFU Policy Statement
- Attack on Rural America?
- Budget to hit Rural KS Hardest
- Ruth Hirsh Award presented to Levendofsky
- Solar: Not just for hippies anymore
- Explore your options with crop Insurance
- Local Food and Farm Task Force Report
Read the Winter 2016 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Winter 2016 Kontact (1.9 MB)
- President’s Report
- Grass, Soil, and Hope: Managing carbon for a sustainable planet
- Change the World by Asking “Why?”
- Handling Cattle Without Getting Handled
- Budget Issues Preoccupy Legislature in 2016
- Best Advice: “Get started and learn your way”
- From Boom to Bust, Writer Explores Water in Kansas
- Changes to Kansas corporate farming law pose potential health impacts, study finds
- KFU State Office Moves to Downtown McPherson
- Transition at the State Office: Kramer departs, VanCampen joins team
Read the Spring 2016 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Spring 2016 Kontact (2.1 MB)
- President’s Report
- 2016 KFU State Convention Set for Dec 7-8 in Wichita
- Farm Aid 2016
- National Farmers Union Fly-In 2016
- Returning to the Land: Diversification, family, and community lay foundation for success
Read the Autumn 2016 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Autumn 2016 Kontact (2.1 MB)
2015 Kontact Archive
Clicking on one of the tabs below shows the cover image and top articles for that month.
Below the cover image are links to read that month’s articles online or to download a PDF of that issue.
- President’s Report: 2015 NFU Convention
- 2014 KFU Convention: Thinking Outside the Box
- How to Feed Nine Billion People: a National Geographic photographer’s perspective
- Creating a New Paradigm in Ranch and Farm Management
- Satisfying producers as well as consumers critical for building a successful co-op
- Kansas falling behind in feeding its own, study says
- Ruth Hirsh Award presented to Potuzak at KFU Convention
- KFU 2015 Policy Statement
- Kansas Family Farm Day
- It CAN Happen to You: Panel discusses emergency preparedness for livestock operations
- New Kid in Town: Goat milk and dairy products rising in U.S.
Read the January 2015 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the January 2015 Kontact (1.9 mb)
- President’s Report: 2015 NFU Convention
- Kansas Hosts 2015 NFU Convention in Wichita
- KFU Foundation Receives Funding for Amazing Grazing III
- Animal Fiber to Diversify Small Farms Workshop
- Agroforestry Comes to Kansas in a Big Way
- Look and Learn Pasture Walks with Dr. Dale Kirkham & NRCS
- Levendofsky Departs KFU for National Farmers
Read the Spring 2015 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Spring 2015 Kontact (1 mb)
- President’s Report: Catching Up
- Carbon, Climate, Crops, Soil and the Mycorrhizal Connection
- Bus Tour: Cover Crops in Action with Dale Strickler
- Water Development and Electric Fencing Workshop Set for September 8 in Salina
- Jim Gerrish Returns to Kansas for Three Workshops, Six Days, September 21-26
- Fuller Field School 2015
- Future bleak for beef industry unless changes are made, warns economist
- Eastern Kansas farmers should rethink tall fescue for grazing, agronomist says
- Rethinking Trees in Kansas Agriculture
- Diversifying Small Farms with Niche Animal Fiber Marketing
Read the Summer 2015 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Summer 2015 Kontact (5.6 MB)
- Farmers Pay the Cost of ‘FREE’ Trade
- Defining ‘Farmer’
- 2015 KFU State Convention Set for Dec 10-11
- Hop on the Bus and Get Schooled
- Grassroots Advocacy in D.C.
- Investing in Health of Soil Vital to Future of Farming
- Soil: You Are What You Eat
- Eastern Amazing Grazing: From Mary’s Notebook
- White to Keynote 2016 KGA Conference
- Howell Received Ag Award
Read the Autumn 2015 Kontact articles on this site.
Download a PDF of the Autumn 2015 Kontact (5.6 MB)
2014 Kontact Archive
Clicking on one of the tabs below shows the cover image and top articles for that month.
Below the cover image are links to read that month’s articles online or to download a PDF of that issue.
- KFU Convention Coverage: Climate change, farm crisis, future of family farming
- Larry Mitchell: Future of agriculture may be found in our history
- King: Assume the worst when it comes to climate change, population
- Reaction from the Farm Crisis screening at the 2013 convention
- President’s Report
- Kansas Corporate Farming Update
- KFU building sale completed, decades of history moved
Download a PDF of the February 2014 Kontact (1 MB)
- KFU Members ‘Spice Up Family Ag’ at Santa Fe, NM Convention
- President’s Report
- Kansas Legislature Update
- Busy year ahead for KFU’s Kansas Beginning Farmers Coalition
- Three Kansas Students Attend 2014 College Conference on Co-ops
- Strnad Family Donation to Benefit Church, Community
- Livestock Handling Workshop Attracts Large and Diverse Crowd
- Host Cities for 2014 KFU & 2015 NFU Conventions Announced
Download a PDF of the April 2014 Kontact (733 kb)
- KFU to Host Budget Presentations Across State
- President’s Report
- Amazing Grazing Funded for Second Year of Programming
- Livestock water & electric fencing workshop set
- Three Kansans selected for NFU Beginning Farmer Institute class
- KFU members to attend annual NFU Fly-In September 7-10
- Kansas Legislature Update
- Strnad Tractor brings $135,000 in online auction
- Welcome Our New Insurance Agent
- New Kansas Farmers Union Website Launching Soon
Download a PDF of the August 2014 Kontact (940 kb)
- 2014 KFU Convention Theme: Thinking Outside the Box
- President’s Report
- Central Kansas Farm Specialty Product Tour: Oct. 11
- NFU Withdraws from Beef Checkoff Group
- Kansas State Budget Presentations Continue
- Seven Kansans Attend NFU Fly-In
- Fall Forage Tour: Oct.31 & Nov.1 in Courtland
- Amazing Grazing 2: News Bites from Mary
- Mother Earth News Fair Returns to Kansas: Come and See Us!
Download a PDF of the September 2014 Kontact (1.3 mb)
- 2014 KFU Convention: Thinking Outside the Box
- Kansas Beginning Farmers Day: December 6th
- Hands on Herd Health for Small Ruminants: Nov. 22
- Beginning Farmer Meeting: Farmer-Veteran to Talk Poultry
- Emergency Planning Workshop for Farm & Ranch Workshops Set
- Holistic Labor Management with Cody Holmes
- Kansas Family Farm Day
- Farm & Ranch Succession Workshops
- Central Kansas Farm Specialty Product Tour: Photos
Download a PDF of the November 2014 Kontact (1.2 mb)
2013 Kontact Archive
Clicking on one of the tabs below shows the cover image and top articles for that month.
Below the cover image are links to read that month’s articles online or to download a PDF of that issue.
- KFU Convention Coverage: WWII Veteran, Nobel Peace Prize winner among speakers at Convention
- KFU honors Stan Brown as he retires after 32 years with Midwest Agency
- Kansas Beginning Farmer Coalition holds first meeting at 2012 KFU Convention
- Kansas Farmers Union 2013 Policy Statement
- Kansas Graziers Winter Conference
- KFU to hold beginning farmer workshop
- 2013 National Farmers Union Convention
- President’s Report
- KFU hires Grant Specialist
- KFU to hold food co-op workshop
- President’s Report
- Former KFU President Passes Away in February
- SB191 threatens Family Farms
- NFU Convention: Making Waves in Ag
- Beginning Farmer workshop a success
- Tour of Ted Alexander Ranch
Download a PDF of the March 2013 Kontact (460 KB)
- Co-op Workshop focuses on local food
- President’s Report
- Corporate farming laws and Kansas politics
- Summer Tours to be held in KC and Larned
- American Ag Movement Tractorcade
- Barber County Ranch Tour
- KFU joins coalition focused on developing Midwest Food Hub projects
- Amazing Grazing Project Funded
- Senate resolution memorializes Ivan Wyatt
- Kansas Legislature Update
Download a PDF of the May 2013 Kontact (641 KB)
- American Ag Movement 35th Reunion
- President’s Report
- Amazing Grazing project kicked off July 1st
- Kansas City Tour gave insight into science, research side of agriculture
- Food Hub Development Workshop Featuring Wisconsin Farmers Union Scheduled for Aug 29th in Lawrence
- Central Kansas tours to feature agritourism, wildlife, history, stargazing
Download a PDF of the July 2013 Kontact (__ kb)
- Special Convention Called
- President’s Report
- Farm Aid: family farmers, good food, a better America
- Kansas Sends Six to Fall National Farmers Union Fly-In
- NFU Flag and Monument Lighting Ceremony in Texas
- Jim Gerrish Grazing Workshop to focus on how Grazing Management Improves Productivity, Profitability and Personal Satisfaction
Download a PDF of the October 2013 Kontact (658 KB)
- Delegates Approve Sale of Building at October’s Special Convention
- President’s Report
- 2013 KFU convention to kick off International Year of Family Farming
- The Farm Crisis documentary to be screened in Topeka January 4th
- Farm Bill, COOL Negotiations Continue
- 2014 Annual Winter Grazing Conference:Grazing and Soil Health
- Help NFU Support COOL Defense Fund
- KFU Staffer brings knowledge from abroad back home to rural Kansas
Download a PDF of the December 2013 Kontact (1 MB)