Tuesday, January 13, 2026
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Hog Slop

By
Lee Pitts
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My elders have always told me that I loved animals from the time I first laid eyes on a dog. They say, and I find this hard to believe, that I was even captivated by grandma’s cat… the one who’d later try to scratch my eyes out. Growing up I read every book I could about animals, never missed an episode of Wild Kingdom on TV and would rather see real animals in a zoo than I would animatronic animals at Disneyland.

Animal behavior has always been my favorite field of study and I must say that most of what I learned was, pardon my language, hog slop. For instance, I was taught that humans are the only ones who killed their own kind. Evidently the experts never had an ant farm as a child like I did. If they had they’d have known that ants go to war against other ants at the slightest provocation. Dare I say that ants are more murderous than Hitler, Stalin, Genghis Kahn, Charles Manson and John Wayne Gacy? (Did you also know that ants always fall on their right side when intoxicated?) I know from experience that rabbits sometimes kill their own babies and hogs have not only killed their piglets but eaten them too! Some insects kill others of the same species as part of their mating ritual.

We’ve turned wild murderous animals into plush toys and Disney movies but in the wild animals are not quite that nice. Have the experts not seen two mountain goats go head to head to see who got the goat. The female goat, that is. Even if they didn’t kill each other I bet they both had a headache that made them wonder if a roll in the hay was worth it. I own a bronze called “To Sire The Herd” which basically shows two wild stallions attempting to kill each other.

Roosters kill each other in cockfights and some raptors regularly eat the eggs of other birds. If that isn’t murder in the first degree it’s at least manslaughter. And did you know that all those spotted owls we had to shut down the forestry industry in the great northwest to save, well, researchers now say those spotted owls are being killed off by their own kind. Barred owls are not only stealing their nests, researchers have witnessed them murder their cousins in cold blood.

There are countless other myths that have been debunked since I went to school. For one, we were taught that humans are the only species that uses tools. Which makes one wonder, was one of the qualifications that they wore a tool belt and bought tools off the Snap-On truck? Researchers have since discovered that chimps, elephants, dolphins, sea otters, gorillas and crocodiles are just a few of the animals that are better with tools than your average recent college graduate.

Another little snippet I remember reading was that humans are the only ones who are empathetic and generous. Now we know that capuchin monkeys like to both give and receive and that elephants show their empathy by mourning their dead for longer periods than most heirs to great fortunes do.

We were also taught that humans are the only ones who can love and hate the same person but cattle can do that. We know they hate cowboys at branding time but don’t you know they love those very same cowboys during a three day North Dakota blizzard when the cowboys haul hay to them?

One factoid I’m suspicious of is that humans are the only ones who can experience joy and a knowledge of the future. Have the scientists never seen the look on the face of a bull after he’s bred a cow? You can’t tell me that’s not joy. As for them having no knowledge of the future, why do you think rogue open cows go to such lengths to avoid being caught and sent to town?

After a lifetime of doing my own research I’ve come to the conclusion that I agree more with Maxine of Hallmark® card fame more than I do the experts. Maxine says, “Sometimes I think the only thing that separates us from animals is the fact that animals don’t have near the selection when it comes to hair products as we do.”

 

JUST A LITTLE LIGHT Miltonvale’s Own Tom, Dick, and Harry

By
Dawn Phelps
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by Dawn Phelps 

Miltonvale, Kansas, is the only town I know of that can boast of their very own “Tom, Dick, and Harry.”  Their parents, Wilburma and Ray Phelps were married in Miltonvale, Kansas, on Flag Day, June 14, 1936, and that’s where the story began.

Someone once asked Tom where the term “Tom, Dick, and Harry” originated, and Tom told them he was not sure.  So, after a little searching, perhaps I can shed some light on the subject.

The term is usually used to mean “everyone” or “anyone,” such as any “Tom, Dick, or Harry.”  The term is an old one, dating back to England in 1583 when Shakespeare used the term “Tom, Dick, and Francis” in some of his writing.

“Francis?” you might ask.  Yes, “Francis” was first used instead of “Harry.”  Next was “Dick, Tom and Jack.”  Then an English theologian named John Owen used the term “Tom, Dick, and Harry” in 1657, and the term seems to have stuck and is still used today.

In the musical “Kiss Me, Kate,” there is a song entitled “Tom, Dick, and Harry.”  Three mountain peaks in the Cascade Range of Oregon are named Tom, Dick, and Harry, and there was a film named “Tom, Dick, and Harry” in 1941.

In 1910 a story was printed in an Arkansas newspaper using the term “Tom, Dick, and Harry,” but I will not vouch for the authenticity of the story.  The story is about an extremely stressed lady, Wilma Frederick, of Beagle, Arkansas, who was under enormous financial pressure. 

According to the story, Wilma had just been to court and had been ordered to pay $5,000 to the city.  She left the courtroom in quite an angry mood, hopped into her car, drove wildly down Main Street, and struck three brothers who were crossing the street.  She did not even try to avoid hitting them.

Their names were “Tom, Dick, and Harry,” and all three supposedly died later that night in the hospital.

When a reporter asked Wilma if she was sorry for what she had done, Wilma replied, “I can’t be responsible for every Tom, Dick, and Harry who walks in front of my car.  I’ve got my own problems.”

I am unsure of the truth of the “Wilma” story, but I do have the scoop on Miltonvale’s Tom, Dick, and Harry.  Thomas Roy Phelps was born April 2, 1939, and was named after both of his grandfathers, Roy Phelps and Thomas Flear.

When Wilburma was expecting her second baby, Tom remembers wanting to name him “Dick,” if the baby were a boy.  Tom said he was at first upset when Wilburma and Ray said that they would name a baby boy “Richard.”  But Tom says that when Ray and Wilburma explained that he could still call Richard “Dick,” then he was all right with the name Richard.

Dick was born September 18, 1943, and was named Richard Ray for his father Ray.  When Wilburma was again expecting a baby, Ray and the family agreed that they needed a “Harry,” preferably not a “Harriet” to fit with Tom and Dick.  (“Harriet” is the female form of “Harry.”)  The parents said that if he were a girl, they would name him Harriet.  

Sure enough, on January 8, 1953, Harry, a chubby little baby, was born and was named Harry Lee.  Dick recalls thinking it was great to have a baby brother named Harry.

The name “Thomas” is a very old name, meaning “twin,” with Greek origin.  Thomas was the name of one of the twelve Apostles in Bible times.  Tom was the owner of Phelps Funeral Home and Furniture Store for many years.  Tom retired on April 1, 2009.  I am married to Tom—the best, I believe.

The name “Richard” has its origin from the English and means “brave ruler.”  Dick was the owner of the Miltonvale Record for many years and is married to Deanna.  She would probably argue she is married to the best Phelps.

The name Harry has a Germanic origin and means “house owner or lord of the manor.  Harry lives in one of the Miltonvale Manor apartments after moving back from Oregon several years ago.  

The three boys, now older men, get together for coffee at the Kountry Kafe in the morning and for tea in the afternoon almost every day.  (In the future, I might share a couple more stories about them.)

So, there you have it!  The story of Tom, Dick, and Harry of Miltonvale, three wonderful men, named by their father Ray and mother Wilburma.  The story has brought smiles to many faces during the years when people hear the names of their sons—Thomas, Richard, and Harry—yes, Miltonvale’s very own “Tom, Dick, and Harry!”

 

[email protected]

Hunting: 2025 Kansas Upland Bird Forecast

By
Guest Columnist
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Pheasant/Quail Seasons
Youth: Nov. 4-5, 2023
Regular: November 8, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Greater Prairie Chicken Seasons
Regular: September 15, 2025 through January 31, 2026

Forecast Factors

Two important factors impact availability of upland game during the fall hunting season: number of breeding adults in the spring and the reproductive success of the breeding population. Reproductive success consists of both the number of hatched nests and chick survival. For pheasant and quail, annual survival is relatively low; therefore, the fall population is more dependent on summer reproduction than spring adult numbers. For prairie chickens, reproductive success is still the major population regulator, but higher adult survival helps maintain hunting opportunities during poor conditions. In this forecast, breeding population and reproductive success of pheasants, quail, and prairie chickens will be discussed. Breeding population data were gathered using spring calling surveys for pheasants, quail, and prairie chickens. Data for reproductive success were collected during late-summer roadside surveys for pheasants and quail, which quantify both adults and chicks observed. Reproductive success of prairie chickens cannot be easily assessed using the same methods because they do not associate with roads like pheasants and quail.

Kansas has a dramatic rainfall gradient from more than 50 inches of average annual rainfall in the far east to less than 16 inches in the far west. The amount and timing of rainfall plays a major role in reproduction for upland birds. In the west, wet years typically improve the available cover and increase insect availability for chicks. In the east, dry years are typically more optimal, as heavy rains during spring and summer can reduce survival of nesting birds and young chicks. Above average summer rainfall in 2023 across much of western Kansas greatly improved nesting cover going into spring of 2024. Adequate rainfall continued into mid-summer across much of the west providing good nesting and brooding cover.  As a result, production was significantly better than we have seen in some time.

2025 Species Summaries

Pheasant

Pheasant densities continued to improve this year as above average rainfall maintained better habitat across much of the primary range. The central regions saw the best improvements as these regions continued to recover from drought. The High Plains region of the western 1/3 of the state maintained solid but slightly lower densities. Chick survival was likely reduced this year due to cold wet conditions during peak hatch. However, the improved habitat resulted in more broods, largely offsetting the smaller brood sizes. After 2 years of good nesting conditions, summer surveys were well above the 10-year average. Acres enrolled in CRP were released to be used for emergency forage for cattle across most of the state again this year. To this point it appears CRP has not been relied on as heavily as in the past, but this has the potential to impact hunter success where it was. Hunting will be much improved this year and harvest should increase. The best areas will be in the High Plains of northwest and southwest Kansas; however, pheasant densities were relatively similar across most of the western half of the state.

Quail

Statewide quail populations were significantly improved this summer after above average rainfall helped recover rangelands and other habitats through the western regions. This increase was a result of a wide swath of the central portion of the state seeing improved densities this year. While brood sizes actually declined some, likely associated with frequent heavy storms, nest success was greatly improved across much of the state resulting in many more broods this year. The highest densities tended to remain in the southern half of the state similar to last year, with the highest regional densities in the Southcentral Prairies and Southern High Plains. After a few poor years of production in the Smoky Hills in northcentral Kansas, brood surveys rebounded this year. Kansas maintains one of the strongest quail populations in the country and given our abundant access, harvest will again be among the highest in the country. The best opportunities will be across the southern half of the state extending up through northcentral Kansas, with quality hunting opportunities scattered in the remaining regions.

Prairie Chicken

Kansas is home to both greater and lesser prairie-chickens. Both species require a landscape of predominately native grass and benefit from a few interspersed grain fields. Greater prairie-chickens are found primarily in the tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies that occur in the eastern third and northern half of the state. Greater prairie-chickens have recently expanded in numbers and range in the Northwestern portion of the state while declining in the eastern regions. While prairie chickens are typically less volatile than other upland birds species, recent prolonged drought conditions have impacted production resulting in lower spring densities. Improved rainfall this year likely facilitated better production but the regions with the best remaining prairie chickens did not recover as well as the remaining regions. Hunting opportunities will be best in the Smoky Hills Regions this fall where populations have remained the most stable, and public access is more abundant to appropriate habitat.

The Southwest Prairie Chicken Unit, where lesser prairie-chickens are found, is closed to hunting. Greater prairie-chickens may be harvested with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the Greater Prairie-Chicken Unit. All prairie chicken hunters are required to have a Prairie Chicken Permit, which allows KDWP to better track hunter activity and harvest to inform management.

2025 Regional Summaries

Northern High Plains (Northwest)

Public Land: 12,849 acres

WIHA: 361,667 acres

Pheasant: This region saw slight declines on brood survey this year, but largely maintained the improvements from last year. While most of the state saw heavy precipitation throughout the summer, the Northern High Plains actually had below average rainfall coming into the summer. This appears to have had the most impact in our shortgrass prairies along the Smoky Hill river. The remainder of the region maintained better densities . Some of the areas that had not seen as good as recovery last year filled in this summer. Milo is less common in this region so targeting good cover such as waste ground or quality CRP adjacent to food is key.

Quail: Quail are limited and are typically harvested opportunistically by pheasant hunters. Weather patterns have facilitated a population expansion into the area where appropriate habitat exists, providing hunters with a welcomed additional opportunity in recent years. Densities on the summer roadside survey increased this year as a result of improvements in the Northeastern counties of the region along the Smoky Hills where opportunity will be best this year.

Prairie Chicken: Prairie chicken populations had recently expanded in both numbers and range within the region however, drought conditions reduced spring densities of prairie chickens considerably. Only portions of this region are open to hunting (see map for unit boundaries). Production in the region was likely good this year based on other upland bird production which should improve hunting opportunity from last year. Within the open area, the best hunting opportunities will be found in counties along the Nebraska state line in native prairies and adjacent CRP grasslands.

Smoky Hills (Northcentral)

Public Land: 106,720 acres

WIHA: 281,436 acres

Pheasant: This region had the greatest improvement on the roadside survey, after only minimal improvements last year. Similar to NW Kansas, late spring was drier in this region then much of the state. However, good soil moisture and early summer rains appeared to largely maintain habitat and resulting in the highest regional chick and brood measurements this year. The western half of the region will have the best densities, however some eastern counties in the region have densities rivaling those further west, and much better than observed in several years. Quality hunting opportunities exist across much of the Smoky Hills with a good combination of bird densities and access.

Quail: This region saw major rebounds across most routes after several consecutive years of poor production. Production measures were greatly improved this year, nearly doubling the number of birds on the brood survey. However, after several consecutive years of poor production this improvement was not enough for this region to reclaim the highest regional density. While this region has lower fall densities than some of the other major quail regions this year, densities are still good, and the Smoky Hills is a large region with ample access providing hunting opportunity throughout. Densities within the region appear to be best in the center of the region with lower densities along the high plains and Flint Hills. Similar to pheasant, densities appear to be the best in the South and Southwestern portion of the region where some improvements were observed.

Prairie Chicken: Prairie Chicken hunting opportunities in the region should remain fair. Production was likely improved as precipitation offered better conditions, although precipitation was not as good as other regions. This region has maintained relatively stable densities paired with the greatest access in the state to appropriate habitat. Greater prairie-chickens occur throughout the Smoky Hills where large areas of native rangeland are intermixed with cropland. The best hunting will be found in the central portion of the region, but several other areas support huntable densities of birds in appropriate habitat. The southwestern portion of the region is within the closed zone (see map for unit boundaries).

Glaciated Plains (Northeast)

Public Land: 51,469 acres

WIHA: 64,122 acres

Pheasant: Pheasant habitat has continually declined in the region as ag practices within the cropland have moved away from practices that support pheasants (i.e. grass waterways, small grain crops, etc.).  Pheasants were not recorded on any routes in the region for the second straight year. Pheasant densities across the region are typically low, especially relative to other areas in central and western Kansas.  Opportunities will remain poor with pheasants occurring only in pockets of habitat, primarily in the northwestern portion of the region or areas specifically managed for upland birds.

Quail: Regional densities remained above average and with many low-density counties seeing slight increases. Last year densities were highest in the areas adjacent to large block of rangeland in the western portion of the region. While some of these western counties declined, the eastern portions of the region in mixed cropland/woodland habitats saw increases offsetting these losses. Densities will still be greatest in the western portion of the region along the flint hills. With the limited amount of nesting and roosting cover throughout much of this region, targeting areas with or near native grass is key for success.

Prairie Chickens: Very little prairie chicken range occurs in this region and opportunities are limited. Opportunities for encounters are highest in the western edges of the region along the Flint Hills, where some large areas of native rangeland still exist.

Osage Cuestas (Southeast)

Public Land: 109,883 acres

WIHA: 28,736 acres

Pheasant: This region is outside the primary pheasant range and very limited hunting opportunity is available. Pheasants are occasionally found in the northwestern portion of the region at very low densities.

Quail: Some quality opportunities should exist this year particularly in the Northwest portion of the region. Roadside estimates were down this year. Above average rainfall in the region is typically bad for production. But good densities were observed in the Northwest portion of the region adjacent to the Flint Hills. Hunting in this area should be greatly improved, although the bulk of the region will remain poor. Hunters should target grasslands that can support quail or those areas specifically managed for upland birds.

Prairie Chicken: Greater prairie chicken populations have consistently declined over the long term in this region. Fire suppression and loss of native grassland has gradually reduced the amount of suitable habitat. Hunting opportunities are limited, but chickens can occasionally be found in large blocks of native rangeland, primarily along the edge of the Flint Hills.

Flint Hills

Public Land: 196,901 acres

WIHA: 78,075 acres

Pheasant: This region is on the eastern edge of the primary pheasant range in Kansas and offers limited opportunities. Pheasant densities have always been low in the Flint Hills and the highest densities are found on the western edge of the region. The roadside index increased this year in the region, and pheasants were across more routes than last year. While there were some areas with high densities in the region, given the limited distribution of pheasant in the region, opportunities will remain limited for hunters. The best hunting will be in the northwest portion of the region along the Smoky Hills where some quality opportunities will exist.

Quail: The Flint Hills maintained good regional densities of bobwhite this year. After good production last year densities on the summer roadside survey were stable to slightly increased. The highest densities were observed in the southern Flint Hills where surveys were up, while the areas further north saw densities slide. After consecutive years of reduced burning in the Flint Hills resulted in above average nesting cover, burning this year returned to average. This will likely limit huntable cover in the core of the flint hills to riparian areas and low lying crop fields, while outside the core should have good, intermixed cover. Walk-in hunting areas can be limited in the area but there are several reservoirs that combine to provide good access across much of the region.

Prairie Chickens: The Flint Hills is the largest in-tact tallgrass prairie remaining in North America and has been a core habitat for greater prairie-chickens for many years. Management changes resulting in both areas of too little and too much prescribed fire have gradually degraded habitat quality and prairie chicken numbers have declined as a result. Better precipitation facilitated increased burning over the last 2 years but total acres burned in the Flint Hills remained below average. The combination of good moisture and average burning is likely combined for good production. Hunting opportunities will likely be similar to slightly improved over last year throughout the region.

South Central Prairies

Public Land: 41,125 acres

WIHA: 54,953 acres

Pheasant: Roadside survey estimates were greatly improved in this region. The regional increase was largely driven by large improvements on a few routes in the western portion of the region. Routes in the eastern half of the region were consistently down, likely due to excess rainfall during key nesting timeframe. The heavy rainfall has resulted in high quality habitat heading into the fall. The best opportunity will be in the western portion of the region where densities were greatly improved.

Quail: Quail densities in the Southcentral prairies saw the greatest regional improvements this year with good densities across almost all survey routes in the regions. The intermixing of quality cover types in the region generally provides more consistent opportunities across the South-Central Prairies compared to other regions. Public access in the region is more limited than in the other major quail regions of the state. Highest density were found in riparian areas in the center of the region and into the Red Hills, although good densities existed throughout the region.

Prairie Chickens: The large rangeland areas in this region are almost entirely closed to prairie chicken hunting (see map for unit boundaries). Chickens occur in very limited areas in the remainder of this region at very low densities. Encounters are unlikely but possible in the few remaining large tracts of rangeland in the northeastern portion of the region.

Southern High Plains (Southwest)

Public Land: 116,821 acres

WIHA: 124,600  acres

Pheasants: Similar to the Northern High Plains, this region saw slight declines this year in brood surveys, but densities maintained relatively stable across the region. Rainfall has been much improved over the last 2 years creating conditions that have been favorable for pheasants across much of the region. CRP makes up a large percent of grassland in the region and most counties in the region were released for emergency CRP use again this year, which may impact the amount of huntable cover. Good opportunities should exist across most of this region, particularly in areas with good CRP cover remaining.

Quail: The quail population in this region is highly variable and dependent on weather. Good rainfall continued this year after good rainfall last summer, greatly improved roadside estimates in the region this year. While the highest densities in this region are typically found along riparian corridors, given current roadside estimates, hunters should also have success targeting habitat away from riparian areas this year that contains shrubs or other cover that can act as surrogate for this woody cover. Scaled quail can also be found in this region within the sand sage prairies but make up a small proportion of total quail. While there were more scaled quail recorded this year, they have been depressed for the last couple of years and will remain at low densities.

Prairie Chickens: Prairie chicken hunting is closed in this area.

Other Information

Conservation Reserve Program

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage cap gradually increased each year. Kansas currently has 2.04 million acres of CRP statewide. However, over 560,000 acres of this is grassland CRP while traditional CRP acres that provides more wildlife benefit continue to decline. In addition to loss of acres, the quality of habitat on the remaining acres has been reduced with increased frequency of emergency use. Despite much improved rainfall, 83 counties in Kansas were eligible for emergency Haying and Grazing of CRP. A large portion of properties in the WIHA program include CRP and expirations/haying can reduce habitat quality or exclude properties from the program. Kansas WIHA program has nearly 1 million acres enrolled for 2025 (atlases are available at ksoutdoors.gov/wiha or at any license vendor.)

Kansas has almost 1.7 million acres open to public hunting (Wildlife Areas, federal properties, and WIHA combined). There are more than 50 million acres of private land that also provide opportunity where permission can be obtained.

By Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Kansas Farmers Union to meet in Wichita November 18-19

By
Guest Columnist
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“For Farmers’ Sake” is the theme of Kansas Farmers Union’s 118th anniversary state convention to be held at Drury Plaza Broadview Hotel in Wichita, KS November 18-19.

“Our state convention is where we do the grunt work in Kansas Farmers Union. This is where our delegates create the policy we work from, where our officers are elected, and where our national delegates are selected to represent Kansas at national policy drafting,” KFU President Donn Teske said. “But even more, it is an opportunity for old friends and new friends to gather, socialize, and learn. Our team has put together a wonderful agenda of speakers that will focus on current issues and long-term issues with agriculture and rural communities. We hope you’ll join us.”

The 118th anniversary KFU convention kicks off the morning of Tuesday, November 18 with registration beginning at 7:30 AM. KFU President Donn Teske will call the convention to order at 9:00 AM along with a land acknowledgment.

K-State’s Stress and Resiliency team will provide educational information about stress, stress management, and resiliency. The goal is to increase awareness and people’s willingness to talk about mental health and encourage more Kansans to get the help they need. Another goal is to equip Kansans with tools and techniques that help them recognize and manage stress within their lives, families and communities.

Wednesday’s lunch will feature comments from National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew and an update from Farmers Union Midwest Agency. The organization’s annual awards will be given to those who have dedicated their lives and work to agriculture, rural communities, and the Farmers Union Midwest Agency. A silent auction will be held to benefit the Kansas Farmers Union Foundation.

Other Wednesday topics and speakers include Tom Giessel and Kate Giessel presenting on Farmers Union history; Visioning the Heartland Food Hub & Strengthening the Kansas Food System with Stephanie Pearl & Sheila Kjellberg; Farmer Mentorship with Jack Geiger & Jake Koehn; Kansas Rural Justice Initiative with Laurel Klein Searles; and Kansas Climate with K-State’s Chip Redmond.

A social will follow at 5:30 PM, and convention attendees will get the opportunity to observe the evening lighting of the Keeper of the Plains statue. This five-ton, 44-foot-tall steel sculpture by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin stands in downtown Wichita, where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join.

On the morning of Wednesday, November 19, NFU government relations representative Layla Soberanis will provide an update on NFU’s 2025 policy priorities. KFU contract lobbyist Sean Gatewood will provide an outlook on the upcoming Kansas legislative session which begins in early January.

Haley Kottler of Kansas Appleseed and Karen Siebert of Harvesters—The Community Food Network will discuss the state and federal landscape of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Together, they will examine current developments in D.C., and Topeka related to SNAP and explore what these changes could mean for Kansans.

Following lunch, Kansas-based writer Sarah Green will share the story of the Ladies’ Columbian Corn Fountain, a relic of the 1893 Columbian Exposition that now lives on the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. It’s a story of civic engagement, public art, community pride – and Kansas agriculture.

Grassroots policy updates and development takes center stage Wednesday afternoon. Each year, members review past policy, propose, and debate new issues, and adopt policy for the coming year. KFU members will also elect board members from the north and south districts, state vice president, and delegates to National Farmers Union’s annual convention.

KFU convention registration and a full schedule is available at: https://www.kansasfarmersunion.org/general-8 and beginning farmer scholarship opportunities are available by contacting KFU Executive Director Nick Levendofsky ([email protected])

About Kansas Farmers Union – Since 1907, Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) has worked to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and their communities. Kansas Farmers Union represents its members, who are engaged in diverse farming and ranching pursuits, through education, legislation, and cooperation.

KDA Announces Crop & Livestock Research Grant Opportunity

By
Guest Columnist
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0

he Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the FY26 Crop & Livestock Research Grant Program. Funds for the program are appropriated to the agency by the Kansas Legislature from the State Water Plan Fund.

The grant funds are in turn awarded to projects and organizations based on their alignment with the State Water Plan and their potential impact on the Kansas agriculture industry. Areas of particular interest include improving the performance and marketability of drought-tolerant crops; improving the ability of farmers to reduce input requirements, increase effectiveness, and reduce nutrient runoff; and agriculture innovations that reduce water use, improve water quality, or improve drought resilience.

This is a competitive, reimbursement-based grant program. Applications will be evaluated by a technical review committee. The recommendations of the committee will be submitted to the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, who will make the final award determination.

Applications are due to KDA no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 25, 2025. For more information, please download and carefully read the FY26 Request for Applications document from the KDA website: agriculture.ks.gov/grants.

The funding appropriation for the FY26 Crop & Livestock Research Program is $450,000. Applicants may request up to $100,000 per project, and projects can be up to two years in duration.

The vision of the Kansas Department of Agriculture is to provide an ideal environment for long-term, sustainable agricultural prosperity and statewide economic growth. The agency will achieve this by advocating for ag sectors at all levels and providing industry outreach.

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