Community Calendar
Soil Health, Cover Crops, and Grazing Management Workshop
Registration is appreciated for a lunch count. Make plans to attend this no cost workshop including lunch!
If any questions please contact Ryan O'Neill at 785-340-2524 or ryan@glacialhills.com
10th Annual Beers of the Kaw!
Beers of the Kaw is a fundraiser and beer tasting event featuring breweries within the 61,000 square mile Kansas River watershed! We use beer and water to educate about the watershed and raise funds to support our work. Come to learn a little, taste some great beer, and be a part of our river team.
Kansas Food Action Network Annual Convening 2025
oin us for the Kansas Food Action Network’s Annual Convening, Soil to Sky, a statewide gathering of food system leaders, advocates, and partners. This year’s gathering is more than a conference — it’s a celebration of the people, partnerships, and progress that continue to grow our food system across Kansas.
KFAN Annual Convening
This year’s theme, Soil to Sky, invites us to lead with radical hope: to celebrate how far we’ve come, and to boldly expand what we believe is possible for Kansas’s food future
Grant Writing Basics
Consisting of two (3-hour) online live sessions with many additional resources, this format allows writers to formulate their grant ideas into a grant proposal. Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share. 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.
Kansas Farmers Union Convention
Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) holds its annual convention every November for members and supporters gather to learn from agriculture, food systems, and mental health experts; network; and to support the work of KFU and its Foundation.
Bookkeeping Basics for Farmers & Ranchers
During this workshop, Sarah Burnett Pierce of Moxie Tax Solutions will lead participants through the essential principles and tools of bookkeeping for farmers and ranchers. With over 8 years of experience supporting small business owners—and a personal background in farming—Sarah will provide a practical overview of how to organize your farm’s finances, track key income and expense categories, and explore software options to simplify your recordkeeping process.
Webinar-Food Security, Access, and Health Outcomes in Rural America: Challenges and Policy Pathways
This webinar will focus on the everyday challenges rural communities face in accessing healthy and affordable food, and how these challenges affect health and well-being. We will discuss the impact of policy reforms, unique challenges such as food deserts, and strategies to strengthen rural food systems through partnerships, education, and innovation.
K-State Ag Profitability Conference - Manhattan
This program will provide an overview of the current farm financial situation and explore strategies to manage expenses, monitor markets for pricing opportunities, and make the most of safety nets programs like crop insurance and government commodity programs.
Specialists will also discuss trends in Kansas land values, tools for managing farm stress, and considerations for retirement or transitioning the farm to the next generation.
K-State Ag Profitability Conference - Burlington
This program will provide an overview of the current farm financial situation and explore strategies to manage expenses, monitor markets for pricing opportunities, and make the most of safety nets programs like crop insurance and government commodity programs.
Specialists will also discuss trends in Kansas land values, tools for managing farm stress, and considerations for retirement or transitioning the farm to the next generation.
K-State Ag Profitability Conference - Hiawatha
This program will provide an overview of the current farm financial situation and explore strategies to manage expenses, monitor markets for pricing opportunities, and make the most of safety nets programs like crop insurance and government commodity programs.
Specialists will also discuss trends in Kansas land values, tools for managing farm stress, and considerations for retirement or transitioning the farm to the next generation.
K-State Ag Profitability Conference - Mankato
This program will provide an overview of the current farm financial situation and explore strategies to manage expenses, monitor markets for pricing opportunities, and make the most of safety nets programs like crop insurance and government commodity programs.
Specialists will also discuss trends in Kansas land values, tools for managing farm stress, and considerations for retirement or transitioning the farm to the next generation.
K-State Ag Profitability Conference - Colby
This program will provide an overview of the current farm financial situation and explore strategies to manage expenses, monitor markets for pricing opportunities, and make the most of safety nets programs like crop insurance and government commodity programs.
Specialists will also discuss trends in Kansas land values, tools for managing farm stress, and considerations for retirement or transitioning the farm to the next generation.
K-State Ag Profitability Conference - Hays
This program will provide an overview of the current farm financial situation and explore strategies to manage expenses, monitor markets for pricing opportunities, and make the most of safety nets programs like crop insurance and government commodity programs.
Specialists will also discuss trends in Kansas land values, tools for managing farm stress, and considerations for retirement or transitioning the farm to the next generation.
K-State Ag Profitability Conference - Garden City
This program will provide an overview of the current farm financial situation and explore strategies to manage expenses, monitor markets for pricing opportunities, and make the most of safety nets programs like crop insurance and government commodity programs.
Specialists will also discuss trends in Kansas land values, tools for managing farm stress, and considerations for retirement or transitioning the farm to the next generation.
K-State Ag Profitability Conference - Kingman
This program will provide an overview of the current farm financial situation and explore strategies to manage expenses, monitor markets for pricing opportunities, and make the most of safety nets programs like crop insurance and government commodity programs.
Specialists will also discuss trends in Kansas land values, tools for managing farm stress, and considerations for retirement or transitioning the farm to the next generation.
K-State Ag Profitability Conference - Erie
This program will provide an overview of the current farm financial situation and explore strategies to manage expenses, monitor markets for pricing opportunities, and make the most of safety nets programs like crop insurance and government commodity programs.
Specialists will also discuss trends in Kansas land values, tools for managing farm stress, and considerations for retirement or transitioning the farm to the next generation.
Farm Stop Conference
Whether you operate a farm stop already, or think that you may one day want to open one in your community, our goal is to provide content useful toyou as you move forward. With that in mind, we are putting together an ambitious slate of local food thought leaders, and are planning a full lineup ofpanels on everything from fundraising and farmer relationships, to best practices for staffing your store and which agencies may be supportive offarm stop development in your state. Of course, there will also be plenty of time for networking and lots of delicious, locally sourced food.
Food and Farm Conference
Please save the date for Kansas Rural Center's Annual Food and Farm Conference.
This February 14th, 2026, our conference will be held at the Spring Hill Suites in Lawrence, Kansas.
We are currently in full swing of planning and want to share with you that we are carving out time in the morning for our conference goers to attend the famous Kaw Valley Seed Fair before returning for a full day of programming focused on uplifting our farms and food systems!
Rural Grocery Summit
The National Rural Grocery Summit, hosted every other year, is the premier networking and resource-sharing venue for independent grocers and rural food access stakeholders. It brings together grocery store owners and managers, community leaders, food suppliers, academic researchers, healthy food access stakeholders, policy makers, and funders to connect and share lessons learned. The event is focused on sustaining locally-owned rural grocery stores and improving access to healthy food in rural 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.
Health on the Plains
Featuring experts from across the country, each Coffee Hour will feature an engaging, live conversation with a leading voice on a topic relevant to rural health. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and each discussion will be recorded for later viewing.
The virtual series will take place from 10-11 a.m. CDT on the last Wednesday of each month, from June through October.
Oct. 29 – Mark Holmes, Ph.D., Director of the UNC Sheps Center and Professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Future Forward: The Kansas Energy Economy 2025
Future Forward: The Kansas Energy Economy will feature keynote speakers, robust panel discussions, and innovative micro sessions.
Kansas - and its businesses - are paving the way for the next generation of energy technology. Whether you're a leader in the clean energy industry or simply want to learn about the Kansas energy economy's future, this conference should not be missed. This will be more than a networking opportunity; attendees will leave with new ideas about how they can embrace and play a role in the new energy future.
Health on the Plains
Featuring experts from across the country, each Coffee Hour will feature an engaging, live conversation with a leading voice on a topic relevant to rural health. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and each discussion will be recorded for later viewing.
The virtual series will take place from 10-11 a.m. CDT on the last Wednesday of each month, from June through October.
Sept. 24 – Nadia Villagrán, LISC Vice President, Rural LISC Director
Food Business Start-Up Summit
Apply as a Business Project Team with up to 2 of your key partners — whether they’re your funder, marketer, spouse, or farm manager — to tackle the real challenges and barriers your business is facing. You'll join a dynamic community of food and farm entrepreneurs from across Kansas andengage in practical problem-solving alongside seasoned Key Informants in areas like finance, operations, and more.
Views From the Field
Join Jackie Keller at our monthly Views From the Field to discuss her position at Conservation Coordinator at Kansas Rural Center, her upcoming farm tour and how she works to connect farmers and landowners to funding for more environmentally sustainable practices.
If you tried to attend last month's Views From the Field, we apologize for our technical difficulty! For our September session we expect to have a much smoother time. Special thank you to Jackie Keller for your patience.
Food Business Start-Up Summit
The Food Business Start-Up Summit, happening September 11–13, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas, is not your typical conference — it's a hands-on, working retreat designed to move your business forward.
Apply as a Business Project Team with up to 2 of your key partners — whether they’re your funder, marketer, spouse, or farm manager — to tackle the real challenges and barriers your business is facing. You'll join a dynamic community of food and farm entrepreneurs from across Kansas and engage in practical problem-solving alongside seasoned Key Informants in areas like finance, operations, and more.
Farmland Leasing Basics
Nearly half of all farmers lease land, but many rely on verbal or handshake agreements that leave their plans and their farms vulnerable to upheaval. Join our lunchtime webinar on Farmland Leasing Basics to learn about ways you can build better relationships with your landlords or renters and exercise your creative power in farm law to address your legal vulnerabilities. Both tenants and landowners are welcome, as many farmers fill both of these roles over the lifecycle of their farming career.
Register today for our September 9th webinar - bit.ly/KRCfarmleasingbasics
Health on the Plains
Featuring experts from across the country, each Coffee Hour will feature an engaging, live conversation with a leading voice on a topic relevant to rural health. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and each discussion will be recorded for later viewing.
The virtual series will take place from 10-11 a.m. CDT on the last Wednesday of each month, from June through October.
August 27th - Brock Slabach, M.P.H., F.A.C.H.E., Chief Operations Officer, National Rural Health Association
Kansans for Conservation Draft Conservation Funding Bill and All Coalition Meeting
As part of ongoing efforts to advocate for conservation funding in Kansas, you’re invited to a special meeting to prepare the Kansans for Conservation Coalition.
Agenda Highlights Include:
Overview of our draft conservation bill and group discussion
Storytelling workshop and talking points development
Tips for building relationships with legislators
Mock legislative meetings to practice your pitch
Fall outreach action planning (email, phone, in-person visits)
Optional social time to build connections within the coalition
Views From the Field - EQIP
KRC is currently striving to help urban & non-traditional growers get connected to The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program, or EQIP, which focuses on cost-sharing and Technical Assistance (TA) for new or improved conservation practices on a targeted basis to address resource concerns. For a deep dive into EQIP opportunities, plan to attend the next Views from the Fields online forum on Thursday, August 14, @ noon. Tim McCoy, NRCS District Conservationist, will be on the call to field questions.
If you think of any questions between now and the forum, please send them to Jackie at kansasruralcenter.org.
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.
Transition to Organic Farm Tour and Info Session
Join us at Geiger Farm for an engaging tour and insightful presentations from seasoned experts in the organic industry.
Plains Transition to Organic Partnership Program (Plains TOPP) provides support for transitioning and organic farmers in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma.
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.
Farm Liability and Insurance Basics
Join KRC July 29th to better understand the how to protect your farm from liabilities. Accidents happen things like a slip and fall on the farm, an incident at the farmers’ market, or even a food safety issue can leave you vulnerable. The goal of this webinar is to leave you with a stronger understanding of how you can build resilience for your farm or ranch operation.
Joining us will be Karen Pendleton, from Pendleton's Country Market to share about some of their farm's experiences with insurance. https://www.pendletons.com/
*This webinar is made possible by Farm Commons (farmcommons.org) and USDA NIFA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP).
Local Food Summit
Anyone working in local food systems or interested in supporting local food system growth is welcome to attend, including producers, consumers, food policy council members, government agency workers, non-profit organizations, food businesses, and more! If you are looking for opportunities to learn how to bolster your local food systems and connect with like-minded Kansans, the Kansas Local Food Summit is a great choice.
Into to Permaculture
Intro to the ethics-based design science, Permaculture. You will learn what permaculture is, how it can effect climate change, landscaping options, and how the principles can impact your well-being.
Farm Dreams Course
Join us in July to plan for success and achieve your Farm Dreams!
Are you a beginning farmer or deciding if owning your own farm is right for you? Come join Kansas Rural Center’s virtual class on Thursday evenings in July to talk with experienced farmers and other new and prospective farmers about your farming dreams. We'll focus on clarifying your values and quality-of-life goals, assessing your readiness to start and run your farm business, and work on creating plans to move forward. The class fee is $15 for three sessions. Contact ryangr@kansasruralcenter.org with questions about the program.
Thursday July 17, 6-8pm - Establishing Your Purpose
Thursday July 24, 6-8pm - Assessing Readiness
Thursday July 31, 6-8pm - Creating a Plan
Communications, Media and Spokesperson Training
This training will aim to provide our members with the skills necessary to use their stories, statistics, and key messages to make their messages stand out and connect with relevant audiences.
Tax Education Webinar for Agricultural Enterprises and Small Businesses
Please join the United States Department of Agriculture, Internal Revenue Service and Small Business Administration for the “Tax Education Webinar for Agricultural Enterprises and Small Businesses”. We have partnered to bring tax related matters impacting small and mid-sized businesses, including agricultural enterprises (farms and ranches).
If you have any questions, please contact Jacqueline Davis-Slay at Jacqueline.davis-slay@usda.gov.
BE THE CHANGE: Leadership Strategies for Greener Schools
Late Summer Semester 2025 (Jul 14 - Sep 12 ~ 4.5-5hrs/week) $85
This eeCredential will provide you with the professional development to become a Kansas Green School Leader and successfully lead your school team through the KICK Challenge. The KICK (Keep it Clean Kansas) Challenge guides students (via a Google Classroom) through an investigation of their school's waste stream. Three schools will be chosen to receive a $1,000 award and be eligible to apply for a small waste grant once the Waste & Recycling Investigation is complete.
Summer Permaculture Design Course 2025
The Summer 2025 Permaculture Design Course will be taught as three 3-day weekend sessions. All 3 sessions must be attended to complete the course. Weekly Zoom calls will be conducted between in-person sessions to facilitate conversation and learning.
Homegrown Happy Hour
The annual Homegrown Happy Hour at Juniper Gardens Training farm is happening July 10th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Farmers will be selling produce, there will be a vegetable & herb tasting table, and we'll also be pouring samples of the Double Shift X New Roots X Border Brewing beer collaboration!
Here's a full list of what they're planning:
Live music from Zydeco Tougeau
A pop-up New Roots farm stand
Yard Games
Complementary hors d'oeuvres, beer, and soda
Tasting of Stout of this World beer that features New Roots produce
Taste tests of some of culturally significant herbs and veggies grown on the farm
Tours of the farm and greenho
Untitled Event
Join Tom Buller and Leslie Montee as they discuss the work of the Heartland Regional Food Business Center(HRFBC) and highlight Leslie’s role as our Farm Business Navigator with KRC.
Join us for the lunch hour and bring your farm business and funding questions!
Food Preservation
In this workshop, participants will be making fruit into jam, pickling vegetables, and fermenting kombucha.
In addition to the live demonstrations and hands-on experience, you get to leave with preserved food, recipes and a resource list.
Food Preservation
Make jams, pickles and kombucha in this 3-hour workshop. $48 per participant.
Sustainable Diets Webinar Series
This will also be an opportunity to build connections with others who are interested in fostering sustainable diets - including researchers, policymakers, advocates, nonprofits, and others. All are critical to a healthy and just future.
Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities
Entrepreneurial communities are those cities, neighborhoods, or townships that are continuously working to develop an environment that fosters entrepreneurship to promote community economic development. They have created networks, cultures, resources, and policies enabling invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Farmer's Footprint | Collective Impact Call
Tune in to this month’s Collective Impact Call with Farmers Footprint where they’ll share a behind-the-scenes look of our newest storytelling initiative, NANA, blending ancestral wisdom with modern science, celebrating the deep connections between food, health, and culture.
Culture: With Jena Simms
Jena Sims shares her approach to sustainability and STEM education. Learn how she helped her school earn the Green School of the Year title and get practical tips to spark similar change in your school!