Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Conference

On Friday March 4th Kansas Rural Center held a free virtual conference covering farm finance, physical and mental health on the farm, and land access and marketing opportunities for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Kansas!

Attend this session to hear about traditional farm financing opportunities from the Farm Service Agency and Farm Credit System, as well as funding avenues through novel programs like Slow Money and various grants available to beginning producers.

Speakers
Joshua Ridder – Farm Loan Chief, Kansas FSA
Paul Burdick - American Ag Credit
Jacqueline Smith - Central Grazing Company

Mental and physical health can be particularly difficult challenges for food and fiber producers and have historically not been talked about enough in the agricultural community. Join this season to hear stories of resilience and strategies for self-care and protecting yourself on your farm or ranch.

Speakers
Keisha Couts – Mental Health Educator
Lucinda Stuenkel - Regenerative Farmer and Agriculture Instructor
Donn Teske – Kansas Farmers Union

As land prices rise and farmland continues to be consolidated into fewer and fewer hands where can beginning or aspiring farmers and ranchers turn? Join this session to hear about novel access programs in Kansas and strategies for buying or leasing land to start your own farm business.

Speakers
Karen Willey - Farm Tender LLC
Kim Criner Ritchie - Interim Sustainability Director for Douglas County

You’ve worked hard to produce good products, but who will buy them? Attend this Marketing Opportunities presentation to hear about the From the Land of Kansas branding program and from two successful farmers who found opportunities to serve their communities and fill market niches at the same time.

Speakers
Janelle Dobbins - From the Land of Kansas
Scott Thellman – Juniper Hill Farms and Sunflower Provisions
Donna Pearson McClish – Common Ground Producers and Growers