April 2015
On March 14th through 17th, for the first time since 1946, Kansas was the site of a National Farmers Union convention! And it came off smooth as silk! I am so proud of how well the convention went! The hotel was great, the city was great, the NFU members were great, and really, I think a lot of our 500 out-of-state guests were very pleasantly surprised by the culture of Wichita. I’m almost thinking they thought we were still using outhouses here in Kansas. The speakers were top-notch. Secretary of [...]
Kansas Hosts 2015 National Farmers Union Convention
Local and National Ag Leaders address 500 Attendees in Downtown Wichita Kansas Farmers Union President Donn Teske and a large contingent of KFU members recently traveled to the 113th National Farmers Union convention, which was held March 14-17, 2015 in Wichita, KS. The four-day event drew nearly 480 family farmers, ranchers, and fishermen from across the country, and featured a number of high-profile speakers including USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, and animal behaviorist Dr. Temple Grandin. Other events included tours of local farms and area attractions, plus [...]
KFU Foundation Receives Funding for Amazing Grazing III
17 events to focus on Soil Health for Ranch $uccess Kansas Farmers Union is pleased to announce North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center has awarded funding for Amazing Grazing III – Soil Health for Ranch $uccess. This project offers a wide variety of workshops and tours to improve soil health and profitability on Kansas ranches. “Producers and educators greatly enjoyed the variety of educational events and reported the value of the activities offered in Amazing Grazing I and II. Amazing Grazing III was created based on requests for information [...]
May 30 Workshop in Phillipsburg: Animal Fiber Production Opportunities to Diversify Small Farms
Saturday May 30 from 10:00a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at the Phillips County Annex Meeting Room, 784 6th Street, Phillipsburg, KS RSVP Online Now Sally Brandon, Shepherd’s Mill, and Rachael Boyle, K-State Research and Extension Livestock Agent, will guide you through the world of animal fiber production, from determining which animals are right for you and your farm to selecting a mill and marketing your fiber. This free, day-long event will offer the following class topics: ~ Fiber Arts for the Non-Artist: What are end-users seeking? ~ Not all Fiber is Created [...]
Agroforestry Comes to Kansas
Register Online Now Kansas farming and ranching, economic viability, quality of life, conserving our natural resources, and good stewardship. All are subjects to be covered in the Kansas Agroforestry Workshop scheduled for May 20 – 21, in Topeka, Kansas. The workshop features some of the most knowledgeable experts in the field of agroforestry which endeavors to integrate trees and shrubs into agricultural systems while simultaneously maximizing conservation and economic benefits. The goal? Increasing the over-all value of your farming operation! Catering to farmers, ranchers, landowners and natural resource professionals, the [...]
Look and Learn Pasture Walks with Dr. Dale Kirkham & NRCS
Dale Kirkham will facilitate and lead the discussion for ranchers, range specialists and others in attendance at the Look and Learn – Pasture Walks. Five afternoon pasture walks will be held in June – North East, South East, North Central, South Central and West Central. Five area ranchers will host a pasture walk. An area Range specialist for that area of the state, along with Dr. Dale Kirkham, range specialist will lead each walk that includes rangeland education and grazing management. Ranchers will have opportunities for hands on pasture experience [...]
Levendofsky Departs KFU for National Farmers
After three and a half years with Kansas Farmers Union, Nick Levendofsky has accepted a position with National Farmers as a grain marketing representative. Nick’s last day with KFU was April 24. He will remain in the Courtland, KS area, working under Pete Lorenz of Beloit, with a territory covering the state of Kansas, plus some clients in neighboring states. Nick will remain active in Farmers Union on the local level as Republic County president.