
Community Calendar
How & Why’s of Biochar
In this workshop, we will complete a full biochar burn using an in-ground trench. You will learn what biochar is and how it is used to build soil health. Every participant will go home with a gallon of biochar.
Big Rural Brainstorm
Brainstorming is about participating, about helping others think. If you register, we will need your input to put meat on the bones for our plan.
Those who register will be asked this question: “What would it look like if our downtown (or community) was known for ________________.”
Spring Agroforestry Work & Learn
Learn from local experts about forest farming plants, soil health and seasonal management while gaining practical experience in planting and caring for spring crops and mushroom inoculation.
Welcome to KS Leks Treks
The highlight of this birding festival will include opportunities to view both Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chickens. No birdwatcher should miss seeing this yearly ritual unfold as males fight among themselves and display to females. The timing of the festival coincides with the peak of prairie-chicken breeding and female visitation to the lek.
Prairie Prophecy Premier
The Prairie Prophecy film is a tribute to Wes Jackson's enduring legacy and a call to action for the next generation of scientists, farmers, and environmental stewards. As climate change accelerates, Jackson's ideas remain a beacon of hope, demonstrating that sustainable solutions are not only possible but essential for the survival of life on Earth.
Local Food Town Hall
Our quarterly local food town halls are held virtually on Zoom and are open to anyone across the state of Kansas that is interested in learning more about local food projects, organizations, and opportunities across the state. The town halls are held at 11 a.m. on the last Wednesday of January, April, July, and October.
The Fourth Annual Kansas Lek Treks Prairie-Chicken Festival
The Kansas Lek Treks Prairie-Chicken Festival, a premier birding event offering the rare opportunity to witness the breathtaking displays of both Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chickens. During this unforgettable experience, you’ll observe male prairie-chickens engaging in competitive battles and elaborate courtship displays to attract females. The festival’s timing aligns perfectly with the peak of prairie-chicken breeding season, ensuring maximum female activity at the lek.
Range Youth Camp
Learn range plant identification, plant growth, stocking rate determinations, livestock nutrition, rangeland wildlife management, and much more!
Local Food Town Hall
Our quarterly local food town halls are held virtually on Zoom and are open to anyone across the state of Kansas that is interested in learning more about local food projects, organizations, and opportunities across the state. The town halls are held at 11 a.m. on the last Wednesday of January, April, July, and October.
National Farmers Market Week
National Farmers Market Week (NFMW) is August 3-9, 2025! Now in its 26th year, this annual celebration highlights the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system. With fun events, programs, contests, activities, and more, the week helps to boost market attendance and visibility as well as showcase the value markets bring to their communities.
Local Food Town Hall
Our quarterly local food town halls are held virtually on Zoom and are open to anyone across the state of Kansas that is interested in learning more about local food projects, organizations, and opportunities across the state. The town halls are held at 11 a.m. on the last Wednesday of January, April, July, and October.
Transistion to Organic
They’ll be going over the basics of organic production, technical assistance, organic weed management, NRCS resources for producers, and much more! Enjoy presentations from industry experts, including keynote speakers Jack Geiger of Geiger Farms and Nate Powell-Palm of Cold Springs Organics.
Farmers & Flyers Marketing Webinar
This webinar series is designed specifically for farmers, ranchers, and growers and provides the knowledge you need to establish your brand, promote your products and events, and connect with your customers.
Demystifying the Haney Test
his webinar will focus on the various aspects of the Haney test, allowing participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of soil health indicators. Dr. Haney will share her expertise, explaining complex concepts in an accessible manner and answering questions from attendees.
Soil Health for Profitability
This free field day focuses on soil health for profitability, including discussions on how cover crops can be used in dryland cotton in Oklahoma, early season management of cotton, in-field indicators of soil health, carbon credit opportunities, and considerations when signing carbon credit contracts as row crop farmers.
The Impact Soil Biology has on Agriculture
Speaker Rion Naus will dive into the soil biology connection and why it is important to our Kansas agriculture. Have lunch on us and learn about the biology that created it.
Understanding the Soil Ecosystem
Our understanding of what ordinary soil is and how it functions has been completely revolutionized by scientific discoveries over the past 30 years. Com learn about soil and get caught up on the latest concepts!
KIFA Advocacy Day
Schedule: Will include an in-person welcome & orientation at 8:30am, followed by morning legislative visits, a noontime lunch and learn, a short press event in the afternoon, followed by legislative visits again in the afternoon. We should conclude by 3pm.
Sheet Mulching
Learn to sheet mulch with a few basic materials so you will be ready to start a garden from scratch or revitalize your existing beds come Spring!
Kicking Plastics to the Curb
Learn about reducing plastics in your home and why it’s important to do so.
Prairie Talk – Grassland Conservation Series
This promises to be an enlightening conversation on a subject of increasing importance as threats to our prairie ecosystems increase. Reservations are appreciated. Refreshments will be served. More details coming soon!
Conservation Easement Workshop
Whether you’re a land owner or seeker, you'll learn foundational knowledge and actionable insights to make informed decisions.
Conservation Bus Tour
Cover crops, soil testing and benefits, alternate watering facilities and access lanes to name a few topics.
Ecological Friends Happy Hour
This months guest speaker will be Jackie Augustine, Executive Director of Audubon of Kansas. She will discuss finding environmental funding in the state, advocating for proper energy siting and being a citizen scientist with INaturalist.
Construction Budgeting for the Cultivating Healthy Environments grant
Join this conversation with the Community Engineering Corps who will guide attendees through budgeting for construction costs and expenses for the Cultivating Healthy Environments grant.
Backyard Food Forest Design
Learn to choose plants that work together on your landscape to create a backyard food forest!
Fruit Tree Pruning Work & Learn
In this hands-on, work-and-learn event, participants will learn about and practice the basic techniques of fruit-tree pruning on different cultivars and tree ages.
OCIA Annual Meeting
COME LEARN and NETWORK WITH EXISTING ORGANIC FARMERS (Certified for years/decades), and TRANSITIONING FARMERS!!!
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Wild and Scenic Film Festival has evolved into the largest environmental film festival in the nation. The annual event each January in Nevada City, CA kicks off the nationwide tour to over 140 cities. All proceeds from the Lawrence event will benefit Friends of the Kaw and our work for the Kansas River.
Farm Taxes Training Webinar
During this workshop, Sarah Burnett Pierce of Moxie Tax Solutions will lead us through the process of filing taxes as a business owner who farms and/or ranches.
Learn to Join National Sorghum Producers
Calling all farmers who want to understand how to be a part of the National Sorghum Producers reimbursement program.
Farm Transition & Succession Planning: Conservation Easement Workshop Series
This event is hosted in collaboration by Cultivate KC, KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S. Coalition, KC Farm School, KC Black Urban Growers, Platte Land Trust, and The Conservation Fund.
This informative two-part workshop series is designed to educate landowners and land seekers about the process, benefits, considerations, and challenges of conservation easements. Whether you’re planning for the future of your land or searching for land to begin farming, this series will provide the foundational knowledge and actionable insights you need to make informed decisions.
Grant Writing Basics
This Grant Writing Basics course consists of two (3-hour) online live sessions with many additional resources. Time for interaction with other participants is an important aspect of the class; even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after consulting with peers. The course is suited for people who have never written a grant (50% of our audience), as well as those who have a lot of experience and want to take a fresh look at their current practices.
Kansas Food Action Network Day at the Capitol
The Kansas Food Action Network is a statewide network of local food, farm and policy councils that advocate for local, state and national policies for more equitable access to healthy, affordable food.
Kansas Food Action Network supports communities as they identify and address local food system priorities by offering support, resources and partnerships.
Grant Writing Basics
This Grant Writing Basics course consists of two (3-hour) online live sessions with many additional resources. Time for interaction with other participants is an important aspect of the class; even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after consulting with peers. The course is suited for people who have never written a grant (50% of our audience), as well as those who have a lot of experience and want to take a fresh look at their current practices.
WEALTH DAY
Kansas WEALTH Day of Advocacy and Education brings together organizations, advocates, and legislators to connect on Water, Energy, Air, Land, Transportation, and Health. Join us at the Capitol to participate in the legislative process!
Heir's Property Course
Do you or your family own land passed down through generations? Are you unsure how to protect, manage, or maximize its value? Learn how to secure your legacy with this Heirs’ Property Course!
2025 KS Natural Resource Conference
The theme for this event is, “Building Tomorrow’s Wildlife Habitats: Strategies for Success.”
This program explores innovative approaches to designing and managing wildlife habitats in a changing world. Discussion tracks will include: habitats in populated areas, addressing urban conservation challenges, habitat-human interfaces, and focusing on shared spaces. Additional topics cover data-driven wildlife monitoring, the impact of invasive species and range shifts due to climate change, and strategies for effective public education and conservation practices. With a broad appeal to professionals in urban and traditional settings, this event aims to equip attendees with actionable insights for habitat sustainability.
Kansas Natural Resources Conference
This program explores innovative approaches to designing and managing wildlife habitats in a changing world. Discussion tracks will include habitats in populated areas, addressing urban conservation challenges, and habitat-human interfaces, focusing on shared spaces. Additional topics cover data-driven wildlife monitoring, the impact of invasive species and range shifts due to climate change, and strategies for effective public education and conservation practices. With a broad appeal to professionals in urban and traditional settings, this event aims to equip attendees with actionable insights for habitat sustainability.