• Statewide growth– *SCs in half KS counties– 95+ farmer’s markets

• Beginning Farmers– *78% after 2001

• Expanding & scaling-up– *42% respondents seek

expansion• Consumer demand• Cooperative marketing

www.kscga.org

IntroductionLocal Food Systems in KS are GROWING

(*2016 KDA/KSRE survey)

• Growing Growers KC• Cultivate KC• Growing Lawrence• Wichita ICT Food Circle• Kansas Rural Center• High Plains Food Coop• Good Natured Family Farms• State of KS Local Foods and Farms Task Force

Strength in Our PeopleWorking Groups/Communities in KS

www.kscga.org

• KDA– From the Land of KS– SC and FSMA

• KS Farmer’s Union• Public• Others

ChallengesGeographic Challenges in Kansas

www.kscga.org

• Growing Growers KC• Cultivate KC• Growing Lawrence• Wichita ICT Food Circle• Kansas Rural Center• High Plains Food Coop• Good Natured Family Farms• State of KS Local Foods and Farms Task Force

• KDA– From the Land of KS– SC and FSMA

• KS Farmer’s Union• Public• Others

• Crop Diversity– Veggies, fruit, cut flowers,

GH systems

• Organic Conv.• Rural Urban• Small Large• Agritourism and

educational sites

ChallengesDiverse Production Systems in Kansas

www.kscga.org

• State budget woes• Research station support (?)• Interdisciplinary nature

– Support needed outside Horticulture• Massive support by row crops and

livestock associations• County/district-based system

– Bottom-up– Reactive vs. proactive programs

ChallengesUphill Battles at KSU/KSRE

www.kscga.org

Challenges

www.kscga.org

Local Food System

• Vegetable Grower’s Association• Fruit Grower’s Association• Grape Growers and Winemakers• Viticulture and Farm Wineries• Nut Growers Association• KS Greenhouse Growers• NGOs and other WGs

OpportunitiesSC Grower’s Associations in KS

www.kscga.org

Opportunities

www.kscga.org

• Growing Growers KC• Cultivate KC• Growing Lawrence• Wichita ICT Food Circle• Kansas Rural Center• High Plains Food Coop• Good Natured Family Farms• State of KS Local Foods and Farms Task Force

• KDA– From the Land of KS– SC and FSMA

• KS Farmer’s Union• Public• Others

Working Groups/Communities in KS

• Communication• Farmer-to-farmer

mentoring• Bulk ordering and

supplies• Market exploration• Advocacy• Financial support

OpportunitiesIt is Time for Statewide Coordination

www.kscga.org

• Awarded to KVGA, KSRE• $36,158• Pis: K. Pendleton, C. Rivard, L. Nwadike, M.

Kennelly, & T. Buller

Goal: Specialty crop growers that are able to communicate, educate, organize, and advocate on their own behalf in order to support a more resilient local food system

KVGA RenovationKDA Specialty Crop Block Grant

www.kscga.org

• 1939 – Kaw Valley SweetpotatoGrower’s Association

• 1963 – Re-named KS SweetpotatoGrower’s Association

• 1965 – KVGA was formed• 1968 – KVGA and KSGA combined into KVGA• 1995 – First GPGC was held in St. Joseph, MO

– Grower’s Associations in KS, MO, NE, IA

BackgroundHistory of the KVGA

www.kscga.org

• Re-naming of KVGA to KSCGA

• Recruit at least 300 members

• Launch new website, social media

• Quarterly newsletter

• Survey growers for needs

• Educational event(s) – Summer 2019

SCBG Activities

www.kscga.org

KVGA Renovation

• Karen Pendleton (Lawrence)

• Gary Schmidt (Olathe)• James Schmidt (Berryton)• Scott Kohl (Wamego)• Gabe Spurgeon (Baldwin

City)• Scott Thellman (Lawrence)• Todd Griggs (Augusta)

KDA SCBG Steering Committee

www.kscga.org

KVGA Renovation

• Dan Kuhn (Scandia)• Steve Michel (Garden City)• Chuck Marr (Manhattan)• Brice Wiswell (Edgerton)• Susan Rommelfanger

(Cassoday)• Nina Isley (Bird City)• Dan Brooks (Sharon

Springs)

KDA SCBG Steering Committee

www.kscga.org

KVGA Renovation

We’re always looking for new members!!

Flexible time commitment

is okay.

• Unified Voice: Collective efforts to increase resources for specialty crop growers

• Member Directory: Public membership list to facilitate networking with farmers, buyers, and the public

• Education: Commercial producer-focused learning events

• Technical Assistance: Central directory of current available resources

Member BenefitsBenefits of Supporting the KSCGA

www.kscga.org

• Website with member directory

• Facebook page• Members-only Facebook

group• Marketing plan• Recruiting, recruiting, and

more recruiting

Current StatusWhere Are We Now?

www.kscga.org

Current Status

Current Status

www.kscga.org

• >50 in attendance• Election of new officers

– Gary Schmidt – President– Brice Wiswell – Vice-President– Cary Rivard – Secretary/Treasurer

• Next Meeting: Aug 12 OHREC Field Day

Current StatusKSCGA Meeting at GPGC (Jan 2019)

www.kscga.org

• Network (members-only directory, listserv and/or member forum)

• Raise money (fundraisers, donations, 501c3 status)• Promote member products and services (aggregation,

collective marketing)• Coordinate bulk purchases, cost shares, and discounted

rates for education• Contract consultants (i.e. legal, production, marketing,

etc.) • Advocate on issues, legislation, government regulation at

State & D.C.

Current StatusWhat Do Grower Association Do?

www.kscga.org

• Sponsor research• Fund production guides, tools and technology• Group certification (e.g. GAPs, NOP) • Recruit labor (coordinate statewide H-2A)• Hold their own conference • Provide insurance or facilitate NAP enrollment • Design their own t-shirt 😀😀

Current StatusWhat Do Grower Association Do?

Current StatusGrower Survey

www.kscga.org

• First Newsletter Expected Spring 2019• Field day in 2019 (Topic TBD)

– Out-of-state speaker/consultant

• Regional Meetings (Quarterly?)– Geographic distribution– Zoom/Call-in available

What’s Next?What Does the Future Hold?

www.kscga.org

• Sign up at www.KSCGA.org– Scholarships available

• Volunteer to be on the steering committee– agri@ksu.edu or crivard@ksu.edu

• Participate in the survey• Tell your friends!• Tell your enemies!

What’s Next?What Can You Do to Support the KSCGA?

www.kscga.org

Questions/Comments?