Since 1979, the Kansas Rural Center has worked to strengthen independent family farms and rural communities by promoting sustainable farming methods. KRC strives to help farmers and rural communities find information and develop ideas that will lead to an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable agriculture. Consolidation in agricultural production and the creation of “efficient” supply chains have resulted in the loss of local processing facilities and distribution systems. With these shifts, Kansas experienced a steep decline in local food production and sales. In 1944, 3,888 farms reported growing vegetables for off-farm sales, versus 474 in 2007.
The consumer has not been wholly satisfied with these changes! The local food movement is exploding across the country as consumers seek to reduce food safety concerns, increase flavor and healthfulness of their food, and support sustainable farming practices for the health of the planet.
Nationally, direct-to-consumer sales grew at twice the rate of the rest of the food economy between 2002 and 2007 and was expected to increase exponentially each year since. Grocers – from independent natural food stores to Wal-Mart – along with restaurant chefs, school systems and more are scrambling to respond to consumer desires by developing relationships with local producers.
Opportunity for Farms and for Consumers
Activity in Kansas demonstrates even more potential. The number of Kansas farmers markets has doubled over the past decade; by 2007, Kansas had risen from 45th to 33rd in state ranking based on vegetable acres per 100 people. Kansans currently spend $767 million on fruits and vegetables each year while farm income from the sale of these specialty crops is estimated at only $32 million. Clearly, more of our food dollars could be kept here at home, in our local economy and supporting our own farmers and their communities.
But despite these opportunities, major barriers remain a threat to redevelopment of successful regional food systems. Kansas producers who wish to capitalize on the local food movement need to build sustainable relationships with buyers and learn how to work with food businesses, who likewise need to learn about the limitations facing small producers.
Throughout its thirty-two year history, KRC has partnered with numerous organizations, educational institutions and federal and state agencies to bring forward-thinking, relevant education opportunities to the region’s agricultural producers. KRC is actively working in partnership with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and other institutions to grow the local food system through programs such as Our Local Food.
Conference Dedicated to Future Options, Optimism
This year’s KRC sustainability conference -- “Options, Opportunities and Optimism: Cultivating Our Food and Farm Future” -- in partnership with the federal Risk Management Agency, the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education, Kansas Farmers Union and more, brings a full day of information and inspiration to Kansas producers about how to meet this new local food demand, along with sessions for local food advocates on how to help grow our local food system.The conference will feature speakers, workshops and panels for farmers, ranchers and advocates on good farming practices and production, food processing and marketing challenges and realities, successful production and marketing models, opportunities for beginning farmers as well as older farmers transitioning out of the business, risk management information and tools, and public policy solutions.
KRC is pleased to present this information-packed day of networking and learning for Kansas food producers and consumers, in support of growing the local food system to provide more food options and a healthier farm economy for Kansans. We hope you will join us!
http://www.kansasruralcenter.org
