• 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– [email protected] or [email protected]
• 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?
Top Related