Agriculture
U.S. House agriculture leaders discuss anti-hunger measures in upcoming farm bill
WASHINGTON — The new Republican chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and a top Democrat on the panel on Wednesday laid out anti-hunger initiatives Congress could tackle in the upcoming farm bill. During a panel discussion, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania, the new head of the Agriculture Committee, said he believes members of […]
Kansas legislators renew efforts to save Ogallala Aquifer
TOPEKA — Saving the Ogallala Aquifer could mean economic trade-offs in the short-term, the chairman of the Kansas House Water Committee said Tuesday. But the state can make progress and still maintain the farming economy of western Kansas, said Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City. “If I were a banker … looking at the value of […]
Kansas State launches statewide partnership to leverage expertise in economic development
Kansas State University and NetWork Kansas formed an alliance to better deliver economic development expertise to local communities in all 105 counties.
Leavenworth County farm winery blending litigation, politics in bitter property tax dispute
Leavenworth County's property tax classification of a farm winery raises questions in the Legislature about separating agricultural and commercial use.
Kansas farmers, ranchers plant seeds of change to erode stigma of mental illness
Three Kansans familiar with mental health challenges facing farmers and ranchers share insights into getting help and overcoming lingering stigma.
Kansas U.S. Rep. Estes blasts Biden administration’s revision of clean water rules
U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Kansas Republican, objected to President Joe Biden's revision of federal clean water rules diminished by President Donald Trump.
Kansas’ drought emergency order to remain in place as calendar flips to 2023
Extreme drought persists across Kansas, meaning Gov. Laura Kelly's emergency executive order covering all 105 counties will remain in place entering 2023.
Water debate will return to Kansas Legislature amid staggering drought
Legislators are almost certain to place the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer among their top priorities as the drought bearing down on Western Kansas hits the already depleted water supply. Every inch of Kansas is either abnormally dry or in a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, with most of the western half of […]
Kansas’ wildfire puzzle: It’s about drought and wind, culture and financial resources
Ferocity of wildfires in Kansas highlights the need for more prescribed burning of grasses and trees and a larger state investment in firefighting efforts.
Kansas State research: Frequency of dry, hot and windy conditions harming wheat yields
Kansas State University researchers measure linkage between periods of hot, dry and windy conditions of climate shifts with shrinkage of winter wheat yields.
Positive change on horizon for hemp products and hemp farmers in Kansas
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Kelly Rippel is an independent researcher, consultant and advocate for the hemp and cannabis industries in Kansas. He’s also an appointed member of the Kansas Department […]
Kansas medical marijuana committee holds final meeting, prepares for January legalization push
TOPEKA — Medical marijuana may have a future in Kansas after all, though lawmakers are still uncertain whether any medical marijuana legislation will garner support in the Senate, or wither away like previous medical marijuana bills. After months of bipartisan information-gathering on the structure, taxation, and other processes that would be part of legalizing medical […]