Domestic Study Tour – XVI

Domestic Study Tour – XVI

Marysville (KS), Lincoln (NE) & KC Federal Reserve

Megan Hobbs
Newton

Domestic Study Tour Day One
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Submitted by: Megan Hobbs

Landoll Corporation

Marysville City

Evening meal: Landoll Lanes

Andrea Dietel
Madison

Domestic Study Tour Day Two
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Submitted by: Andrea Dietel

Break out sessions

Josh Demers and Mike Young

Ben Williamson 

Jesse

Mitch

Marble Technologies 

Engler 

Kevin Logan
Hesston

Domestic Study Tour Day Three–KC Federal Reserve Bank
Friday, November 10, 2023
Submitted by: Kevin Logan

Morning-Mr. Ryan Engle served as Host for the Day.

8:00—Left Hotel for Federal Reserve Bank

8:30—Arrival at Fed. Reserve, Checked-In, and Proceeded to Presentation Hall on 2nd Floor

-Coffee, Juice, and Snacks were available while the class was able to informally visit with the day’s presentors.

9:00—Welcome by Jeffery Schmid: President and Chief Exec. Officer of the KC Fed. Reserve.

9:10–History of the Federal Reserve-Presented by Tim Todd, Exec. Writer and Historian.

(History and Structure of the Federal Reserve Bank)

-Established in 1913

-Tasked w/ providing Monetary Stability and Financial Stability

-Prior to the Federal Reserve

-The first US Central Bank was a 20 year charter shortly after the nation was founded

-This charter expired and during the War of 1812, the US did not have a central bank.

-The Second Central Bank was in existence from 1816-1833. Andrew Jackson doesn’t see the need for the bank and veto’s an attempt to extend its charter.

-Most of the 1800’s in the US were financially unstable.

-In 1907 JP Morgan began doing “Central Bank” things. In response to Morgan’s actions, the US Congress didn’t want one person to use their money to save the economy and earn that type of “influence.”

– A congressional action in 1913 created the Federal Reserve in 1913.

-The Federal Reserve Bank had 7 Governors. These governors serve staggered 14 yr. terms.

-There are 12 Federal Reserve Banks-Each with a Board of Directors.

-KC ended up w/ a Fed. Reserve Regional Bank due to the efforts of Jerome Thralls.

9:45 Ag Economy-Presented by Franciso Scott, Economist

-General Ag Outlook was discussed

-Kansas follows general US economy factors. No big outliers

-Covid-19 has elevated commodity prices

-KS commodity prices are still a little “artificially” high

-The US has overall Strong External markets, but China, Asia, and Mexico are challenging US grains in the Feed and Energy markets.

-KS follows trends in US Agricultural Expenses

-Both revenues and expenses have increased from 2019-2020.

-Carl, from Plains, asked, “What is the outlook on China?” Dr. Scott’s answer, “Main indicators point to small economic growth in China, this is concerning to the US, especially in our pork exports.”

-Ashley, from Waverly, asked, “Exports from the US have gone down, do we see partners of China furthering this?” Dr. Scott’s answer, “We are competitive in exports, but Brazil is cheaper in the markets. US prices are offset positively in bio-fuels industry.”

-Danielle, from Hays, asked, “What about net-worth; Good increase in capital to put into new production and machinery, but we have very high interest rates?” Dr. Scott’s answer, “Yes, farmers have built up capital, but there are pockets of stress across the region.”

-Ryan, from Madison, asked, Will real estate prices remain high or will they pull back with the continue high interest rates?” Dr. Scott’s answer, “I do not see land values going down.”

10:40 The Power of Community Banks-Presented by Joe Gruber, Exec. VP and Dir. of Research

– Banks are those with less than $10 Billion in Assets.

-Most banks, in fact 95% of banks, are Community Banks

-Banking Regulatory Frameworks really cut back on the number from banks during the 1980’s, from 15,000 to 4,500.

-Community Banks consist of approximately 95% of the total bank numbers, but hold only about 15% of the total assets.

-Community Banks are more flexible to address consumer needs as evidenced by the COVID-19 relief fund distributions to small businesses.

-Inflation is necessary for the nation’s growth, 2% is the target.

11:30 Lunch—Jeffery Schmid, President and CEO Joined us.

-He is a native Nebraskan

-Bachelors from University of Nebraska, Lincoln

– Master from Southern Methodist University

-Owns a small farm in Humbolt, NB; very down to earth person. Interesting point he made, he is the only “banker-by-training” who is the President and CEO of any of the nation’s Federal Reserve Banks. The rest are from other backgrounds.

-Was in his 10th week in current role during our visit.

-Work on a process called “FED NOW,” allowing payments to be made “any day, any hour, any time.”

12:15p Tour of the Fed. Reserve-by Volunteer Eric

-Information on the currency and coin display collection.

-Pointed out that $10 Million in $100’s weighs about 880 lbs.

-The KC Federal Reserve Processes between $104 Million and $208 Million/day.

1:05 Bus Departed for MHK

Southeast Kansas – XVI

Navigating Change

Mark Palen
Beloit

Southeast Kansas Day One
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Submitted by: Mark Palen

Day one of the Southeast Kansas session began at the Miners Hall Museum in Franklin Kansas where we started off with a tour of the museum and all the artifacts showcasing the mining operations in the area from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. After everyone arrived, we had lunch and then listened to a presentation by Dr. Randy Roberts. Dr. Roberts shared the history of the Little Balkans of Kansas and the area of Crawford and Cherokee Counties. We learned there was an influx of immigrant settlers from 1880-1940 and how they setup and mined coal and other heavy metals from the region.

After finishing up at the museum, we traveled to the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Jason Wesco, President and CSO, gave us the history of how he helped form the non-profit organization that is focus on improving health care and access to health care for Southeast Kansas. Starting in 1997, CHC/SEK has grown from a small outreach to a regional organization serving over 70,000 patients a year as of recent. Jason share his passion for ensuring that every child receives the care they need – whether physical or mental – and the various ways that they have approached providing those needs.

The day concluded with drinks and a Hawaiian Luau buffet at Hampton Inn conference center. Trisha Purdon gave a presentation on “Changing the strategy for Rural Prosperity”. Trisha is the director of Rural Prosperity, Kansas Department of Commerce, and shared with us some of the work her office has been doing since being formed by Governor Kelly in 2019. Trisha’s goal is to seek out rural communities that are struggling in different aspects and connect them with solutions. She offered the KARL class and guests that we are all leaders and that it is up to us to take action. She feels strongly that we are the individuals who can make a difference in Kansas rural prosperity.

Dr. Danielle Kaminski
Hays

Southeast Kansas Day Two
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Submitted by: Danielle Kaminski

Economics is the study of scarce resources. Because of finite and scarce resources people face trade-offs, and if like economists, will use cost-benefit analysis to decide in which ventures to engage. Day 2 of the KARL Class XVI Pittsburg seminar was made for an economist to experience. Scott Williams introduced our bus tour by saying that he would discuss the pros (benefits) and cons (costs) of the area and its mining history with us throughout. Two pros (depending on perspective) were that the mines were great spaces to bury bodies (if you were part of the local mafia) and to make moonshine during Prohibition. But even what looks to be net positive may have some negative effects such as the common fights and deaths on Friday and Saturday nights after excessive consumption of such moonshine. Even our bus presented trade-offs: hard school bus seats (con) but it was willing and capable of traversing dirt roads (pro). The biggest trade-off Pittsburg made unintentionally was valuing economic success in the present (once the richest county in the state with approximately 20,000 people) over economic success in the future. Many people left the area as mining left. What remained was pollution, like the waste pit of Mine 19 or contaminated chat on roads, and toxic waters from the mines. Pittsburg serves as a cautionary tale of only striving for immediate economic success and ignoring future consequences (known as present bias in economics). But that statement is perhaps a bit harsh. People of the time would have known mining was difficult work but may not have known all of the long-run side-effects of mining.

In the evening Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu explained that the difficult job of leaders is to be a visionary into that unknown future. He stated leadership is about knowing what the future holds and leading the present there. It’s about not relying on risk, which looks to the past for possible events and their likelihood, but rather realizing the future will not be just like the past and planning for that uncertainty. As if predicting the future were not challenging enough, leaders then have the unenviable task of making conditions uncomfortably hot for others so that they experience enough pain to be motivated to act and change their futures. In rural communities preparing for the future and motivating others depends on not forgetting those who move from the community to more urban areas. Those migrants may wish to return some day but feel unwelcomed in their hometown after leaving. That is an experience we want less people to have moving forward. Dr. Amanor-Boadu’s remarks emphasized thinking of pros and cons in both the present and the future.

After a long day of very thought-provoking activities, we finished our evening in communion over Christmas gifts and games. The con was that the desserts were so good they inspired overeating. (Thank goodness for the “healthy” option of chocolate covered strawberries.) Hope you all had wonderful holidays, filled with temptations of present bias for eating delicious food provided by farmers and ranchers, to close 2023.

Genesis 2.0 – XVI

Genesis 2.0 Council Grove

Wendy Hughes
Ellinwood

Genesis 2.0 Day One
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Submitted by: Wendy Hughes

Sitting under the canopy in the Flint Hills, you could almost hear the voices singing; “Home on the Range” as Tom Moxly and Rich Porter gave us the history of their ranches. A listening session with these gentlemen started our second year of KARL off in Council Grove, KS. They ranch on the best grazing land in the world, land that has been there for more than 10,000 years and over 600 species of natural prairie plants. It use to stretch from Canada to Mexico and now is only in this part of Kansas. Tom explained that during severe drought, the Flint Hills saved the American Beef industry by being able to sustain cattle, not by having deep ponds, but by housing deep-rooted plants that can survive severe grazing. Both of these ranches have different ranching plans, but they were very adamant that you must have a plan to survive. They are friends. Their fathers were friends. They all have the same quote. ”It doesn’t matter how big you stay at the top, it’s how big you stay at the bottom” It is all a matter of risk and you must have a backup plan.

We met after lunch and started the session by singing happy birthday to our President, Jill Zimmerman. The Mayor of Council Grove, Debbie Swartzfeger, welcomed us by giving us an update of their quaint little town. They have had 24 new businesses start up in the last year and a half. Three years ago, the town did not even have a venue to hold 30 people and now there is a new donut shop going in. The hotel, The Cottage House, is the longest running hotel in Kansas and the Hays House restaurant is the oldest continuously ran restaurant west of the Mississippi.

Colene Lind, Associate Professor in the Miller School of Media and Communication, spoke with us about egocentric communication. We seem to be the only species that has figured out how to read what others think, causing miscommunication. When we as a group make others feel good, it gives good feelings to ourselves as well. Appreciation, obligation and accommodation are three things we must consider when working with others. Three things she left us with are: watch for opportunity to show appreciation, build-up others whenever you can and when you have to say no, show you are committed to something bigger.

We finished the afternoon off with our Talk5 presentations. We each gave a five-minute update of where life has taken us since our last session in March.

Tom Jones, owner and manager of High Plains Feed yard was our guest speaker after dinner at the newly renovated Territory Ballroom, where our sessions took place while in Council Grove. Tom spoke about his long hard trail to owning his own business, from whacking rats with a shovel, not seeing the back of a horse for three years to being able to attend Kansas State University. He went from being on the dean’s list of bad student to being on the Deans Advisory Council today. He has completed extensive research projects for the CDC and United Nations. He has worked with the dairy industry to develop a more muscular round for young steers for meat. He stated that he is currently working with Texas Tech University to develop genetic selection flavor in cattle. “Sometimes you have to just go for it and don’t be afraid of hitting the wall. There are lots of banks out there.”

Lindsey Ott
Wichita

Genesis 2.0 Day Two
Friday, August 25, 2023
Submitted by: Lindsey Ott

Council Grove, KS–Genesis 2.0 day 2 kicked off with a fantastic breakfast of coffee, breakfast burritos, and cinnamon rolls at our conference venue, the Territory Ballroom. After breakfast, we resumed our Talk5KARL presentations by starting with Danielle Kaminski and concluding with Adam York.

Our next session was a panel composed of local entrepreneurs:

· Bobby and Christy Alexander (Alexander ArtWorks, Council Grove, KS)

· Elle White (Grove Gardens, Council Grove, KS)

· Jacquelyn Leffler (Leffler Prime Performance, Americus, KS)

· Shane Tiffany (Tiffany Cattle Co., Herrington, KS)

J.J. Jones served as moderator.

In their introductions, the panelists describe the path they took to their current positions. Jacquelyn Leffler mentioned having blended interests in making a living including coaching sports and raising cattle for 4-Hers. She said that farming is a challenge with the economy so she didn’t plan to go into ag but instead it happened naturally and unintentionally.

Shane Tiffany discussed how he and his brother had an outside financier provide the funds to start a feedlot. His goal is to pay-it-forward and invest in local businesses. He also owns a grocery store, auto shop, and regenerative agriculture company.

Christy Alexander said “the storyline is never a straight-line” and that she and her husband had to make their own opportunity for art in their hometown. They started by making and selling stained glass in their garage. Then they outgrew this space and bought a place on Main street in Council Grove.

All of the panelist discussed the risks of starting a business in small town Kansas. For some, the plan was to fall back on previous job experiences (i.e., teacher, pastor) if their businesses didn’t succeed. As employers, the panelists discussed the need to treat their employees well, foster a positive work culture, and empower and delegate to their employees.

Christy Alexander discussed what motivated them as they started their business. They wanted to bring a different spirit to the downtown and prove to themselves and others that it was possible to succeed as a small business in a rural Kansas downtown.

All the panelist discussed the need to foster a positive relationship between the local businesses and the community, where local businesses give back to the community. And the need for local businesses to build synergistic partnerships with other local businesses.

Shane Tiffany mentioned an example of giving back – creating a low or 0% interest loan to support new businesses. During the discussion, J.J. Jones recommended the following books, “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek and “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins.

The KARL team and guests broke for lunch at the historic Hays House where we enjoyed chicken fried steak, meatloaf, Cajun pasta, and shrimp salad. After lunch, Carl and Mary Ice spoke to our group. Carl Ice spent his career at BNSF and said that BNSF made leadership development a priority. Carl and Mary both prioritize leadership and community involvement. During his career, he always noticed what people gave their time to because this was a reflection of what they cared about. For him, he never cancelled a safety meeting at BNSF because he prioritized the safety of his employees and customers. A career in leadership involves some tradeoffs when balancing work and family. The Ice’s moved every few years while also maintaining community involvement like coaching and scout leaders. They really prioritize giving back to students with one example being Cats’ Cupboard at Kansas State University. 40% of college students are food insecure. In response, Cats’ Cupboard provides students immediate access to food and personal hygiene items at no cost.

Carl and Mary Ice are also involved in nature conservancy to maintain the remaining Tallgrass Prairie. When asked about the future of transportation, Carl discussed how technologies can be utilized by the transportation industry to improve working conditions and improve work quality. One example, is using technology to inspect the railroad track. He also discussed how railroads are good for the environment because they use less fuel than other means of transport. On the rail, 1 ton of freight is transported 450 miles using 1 gallon of fuel. While working with Berkshire Hathway, Carl was tasked with estimating the amount of freight transported between two US cities by BNSF. The result was that 15% of all freight transported between 2 US cities is handled by BNSF! Carl discussed his career path at BNSF – he worked there for 42 years where he started as an intern and became CEO. The Ice’s concluded their discussion by emphasizing how important education is at all levels and that we all need to spend time developing our passion and going out and doing something that is relevant and beneficial to others.

After lunch, we moved back to the Territory Ballroom for the final few events of Genesis 2.0. Russell Plaschka from the Kansas Department of Agriculture helped our class dive into what drives us as leaders. He asked us to reflect on the question, “What matters most to me?” and write it down on a 3×5 card. Then we broke out into teams of two, where we asked each other why that thing we wrote down on our card matters. This “why” question was asked five times. After the fifth “why”, that “why” was the ultimate thing that matters the most. “Leaders keep their eyes, minds, and heart on the true prize.” Then Russell asked us to answer the following 3 questions: How does this show up? What challenges do I face as I affect change? What am I willing to do about it?

Following our reflection on leadership, Russell facilitated the KARL class discussion and reflections on the last two days. He asked: “What is one thing you heard from the seminar?” KARL class members responded with the following answers: keep your dollars local, get involved, make conscious decisions and make a difference, help people see value in their community, don’t be afraid to fail, define success and failure, don’t succumb to imposter syndrome and be your authentic self, allow people space to grow and accommodate, do something that is relevant and you are passionate about, don’t have to agree to get along. He asked: “What made an impact?” KARL class members responded with the following answers: doing the Legacy interviews with family members that Nick Peters mentioned in his Talk5KARL; a change in perspective that things happen for us, not to us. He asked: “What are we going to do with the ideas/impacts of the seminar?” KARL class members responded with the following answers: work on implementing these ideas from now until our next meeting in November, use our drive home to reflect on the seminar and think up great ideas. In November, we will answer the question, “What did you start to implement?”

After a few closing remarks by Jill Zimmerman, we adjourned the seminar around 3 pm.

Gettysburg Leadership Experience – XVI

Gettysburg Leadership Experience

Eli Svaty
Liberal

Gettysburg Leadership Experience Day One
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Submitted by: Eli Svaty

Our first morning in Gettysburg, PA greeted us with partly cloudy skies and cool temperatures, a stark contrast to the windswept days experiencing our National Service seminar in D.C.

Jeffrey Harding, our guide, played his harmonica on the bus as we traveled to our first stop: Cemetery Ridge. For most in the group, these were our first steps on the physical battlefield that weighs so heavily in our history. Despite the growth of the country, despite the modern amenities we all enjoy, the reality of that battlefield and the significance of that place is still very much alive. In silence, we listened as our guides discussed what took place there and what we would be experiencing over the next few days. In the distance, a woodpecker could be heard attending to a tree. 

From Cemetery Ridge, we loaded the bus and drove the short distance to the Gettysburg Museum. A short introductory film provided additional historical context for us. This was followed by an experience at the cyclorama painting titled “Battle of Gettysburg” by the French artist Paul Philippoteaux. The Gettysburg Cyclorama is 377 feet long, 42 feet high and weighs 12.5 tons. It was powerful to see this recreation on canvas, but nothing could prepare us for the experience of walking these same fields and hills over the next two days. 

The museum was ours to explore for the next hour, having to share it only with one or two school groups. This afforded us the time to move slowly, read carefully, and absorb the importance of those artifacts and the lives that were sacrificed only a few miles to the west. 

We left the museum and loaded the bus for a tour of the battlefields. Up to this point, our experiences in Gettysburg had been limited to the town square, museum, and cemetery ridge. Personally, seeing the layout of the town, the roads, and the battlefields, completely changed my perspective of the battle. The springtime tour prior to leaves and crops allowed us panoramic views of the monuments, the artillery, and the hallowed grounds. Everything seemed so close as they drove us through the first positions chosen by Buford and the advantage afforded him by the higher ground and the seminary’s cupola. But as we drove, we were continually reminded of the lives that were lost on this very ground and the efforts that were made to preserve this land and its memories. 

It’s impossible for a Kansan to not feel pride knowing that our own President Eisenhower had such a strong connection to that place. His farm and ranch there makes for an idyllic refuge. 

Lunch was back at the hotel. We were served a garden fresh salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, and steak. Our appetites exceeded their expectations. 

The afternoon brought our first dedicated leadership training of the Gettysburg experience: Anticipatory Leadership. Using the historical context of day 1 of the Battle of Gettysburg, we learned and discussed the importance of the high ground. Our key battlefield figure was the Union General John Buford. Following the classroom work, we returned to the battlefield to walk the grounds of that first day’s fighting. We looked down the road on which the Confederate Army approached, we stood amongst the “Witness Trees” near where General Reynolds was killed, and we talked about the decisions that were made by both sides that day, and the impacts those had on the battle and our country’s history. 

Our homework for the evening was to consider our own organization’s “high ground.” What positions our organization to succeed? What needs to be done today in preparation for tomorrow?

Dinner that evening was served at the Dobbin House. While the emphasis of these few days was on the American Civil War, this particular home’s history preceded these events.  Built in 1776 by Reverend Alexander Dobbin, this building served as his family’s home and religious school. It was also a safehouse for the Underground Railroad. In 2023, it served as our gathering place. After an assortment of delicious appetizers, dinner included options for a grilled filet, grilled chicken, or crab cakes. We were joined by several battlefield guides as well as the leadership academy’s instructors. 

Following dinner, we shared our takeaways, emphasizing the importance of that day’s learning as well as the juxtaposition of Gettysburg with Washington D.C. and our learning there. For many in the group, this evening’s takeaways hit differently than usual. 

Many chose to walk the few short blocks back to the town square and the Gettysburg Hotel. The evening was crisp and clear, and our conversations reflected the gravity of the day’s experiences and the impact that this program was having on our lives. 


KARL Class XVI Associates

KARL Friends & Fellows Ag Tour

The Big Gathering

Registration is now open! Please register HERE by Friday, May 19. We hope to see you there!

National Service Seminar – XVI

National Service Seminar

Regan Reif
Great Bend

National Service Day One
Monday, March 13, 2023
Submitted by: Regan Reif

As we began our first full day in Washington DC, Sarah Henry opened the morning by introducing our first speaker of the day, Mike Torrey, Founder and Principal of the Torrey Advisory Group (previously known as Michael Torrey Associates). Mike graciously hosted our KARL Class XVI and presenters in his office building.

KARL Class XVI’s first day in DC was packed full of information. I’ve done my best to summarize highlights below from the 8 amazing presentations we heard. It’s also important to note how touching it was to hear from so many Kansans doing remarkable work for our state, country, and the world. To say we had an incredibly inspiring group of speakers on Monday is an understatement.

Key highlights from Mike Torrey’s presentation:

– Mike grew up south of Wamego. He worked at Kansas Grain and Feed early in his career. He moved to DC, back to Kansas, and then returned to DC. He found his “sweet spot” at the intersection of food and ag policy. In 2005, among many personal/life changes, he “stepped off the cliff” to start his own business as a lobby firm, but does non-lobbyist work too. His consulting firm serves all those involved in the supply chain, and he believes it is critical to break down silos between different groups. His business is now known as Torrey Advisory Group.

– We must challenge ourselves to think of multi-century ideas. Right now, we have so much data and ideas coming to us that we focus on the most immediate future. There is a technology gap between all the data we now have access to and what to do with it. In the space between technology and research, many answers can be found. Leaders need to take the time to think about 100-year ideas. Rural and ag should be proud of our heritage and stability—consider the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and Kansas Livestock Association’s long histories.

– Washington DC and what happens there are very important. Understanding how DC works makes you better at your job/life at home. Additionally, it’s critical to make sure young people understand the importance of DC.

– Everything has a lobbyist. If you don’t tell your story, others will tell it for you. If you are telling your story to a decision maker, make sure you have also worked the story out with those who disagree—seek agreement!

– To be the most effective, don’t worry about who gets the credit. So much more can happen when who receives the credit isn’t a concern for those involved.

– Regarding government spending, keep in mind that the last time Congress passed all appropriation bills on time was 1989. The last budget they agreed upon was in 1995.

– There seems to be a shift in politics. It no longer feels like the goal is to win an argument but rather how you can put your opponent “in jail” or get a few minutes of fame. You must be engaged because so much data and information are available. ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! The last two elections came down to 3 states—Wisconsin in both elections.

– In reflecting upon his career, he explained striving for excellence versus success and would encourage us to do the same. Excellence is being the very best and takes much more time, risk, and work. Success is typically measured by numbers, year-end results or goals being met. It is short-term.

James Glueck and Tara Smith from Torrey Advisory group presented a presentation on Farm Bill 101. Key highlights:

– While there are numerous policies that impact the agriculture sector, we must be realistic about which ones are part of the actual farm bill conversation because of jurisdictions. Leaders working on the Farm Bill try to keep lines very clear and be very respectful about what’s in their space and what is not, so other committees return that respect.

– The farm bill is reauthorized every 5 years and is the primary driver of federal farm and food policy. It addresses a range of issues across 10+ titles. The first Farm Bill, which is permanent law, was part of the New Deal for farmers in 1933.

– It’s the people that make the policy. Be aware of who leads the Senate and House Ag Committees. There has been significant turnover as several senior players from both parties have retired since the last Farm Bill. Many current members haven’t been part of a Farm Bill conversation. However, we should be encouraged as there has been some good bi-partisan efforts such as re-signing pesticides.

– So much has happened over the past 5 years since the last Farm Bill—some examples include: government spending, the war in Ukraine, disaster assistance, COVID-19 pandemic impacts, climate change/weather, production costs and inflation, trade challenges and supply chain disruptions.

– Speaking specifically of crop insurance, it is permanent law. High commodity prices mean a “more” expensive crop insurance program. Crop insurance is the second most expensive title after nutrition which creates a target because of the large budget number. Support for and opposition to crop insurance are bipartisan, although the importance of the program is now understood well by both parties and from elected officials from all parts of the country. They stressed that we must preserve and protect this title.

– There are two newer discussions happening regarding the intersections of climate and crop insurance and crop insurance and disaster assistance.

– The 2019 Farm Bill was $867B. The 2024 Farm Bill is expected to be approximately $1.5T.

– While the Farm Bill addresses topics it does not guarantee implementation by the USDA. It is common that some parts of a Farm Bill do not get implemented prior to the new Farm Bill.

– COVID highlighted food security issues with bare grocery store shelves and inflation.

– Programs need to be adaptable! Not all programs are practical. Navigate away from one-size-fits-all programs specifically related to cover crop and climate issues.

– Think through technology and innovation solutions to help alleviate some labor issues from a Farm Bill standpoint.

Sarah Little and Amber Kirchoefer presented on the process of building a national memorial, specifically The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial. Key highlights:

– The importance of relationships cannot be discounted. Ted Stevens (Alaska) and Danny Inouye (Hawaii) were WWII veterans and friends.

– The process for the memorial began in 1999. The groundbreaking occurred in 2017. The process to build monuments is significant and often has controversy and delays. This is not unique to the Eisenhower Memorial.

– Famed architect, Frank Gehry, designed the memorial which went through several design changes over time.

– Pat Roberts becomes the Commission Chair in 2015 and things progress. When Bob Dole is brought on-board, he is instrumental in gaining the support needed.

– The groundbreaking happened in 2017. The memorial’s dedication was initially scheduled for the 75th anniversary of V Day on May 8, 2020, but was postponed to September 17, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

– In addition to major supporters, foreign countries also donated to the Eisenhower Memorial (example: Taiwan).

Rod Snyder, Senior Ag Advisor to EPA Administration, presentation key highlights:

– Rod has spent the last 20 years in the ag sector; however, he only recently joined the government sector in Fall 2021. His position is a political appointment by President Biden’s administration. This ag advisor role was created approx. 25 years ago to help foster the EPA/ag connection and provided a direct line to the food/ag sector.

– Rod’s boss is Michael Regan, EPA Administrator. Administrator Regan wanted to go to rural Kansas and toured a rural school and family farms.

– Rod’s time is spent mainly on the tough or “prickly” issues such as pesticide policy, water policy and issues, bio-fuels policy, livestock issues and rural-focused issues. His philosophy is to follow the science and follow the law.

– Think through how in mid-century we will need to feed 10B people with the same or less land (urbanization). We must be able to feed the global population and need to bring technology and innovation to scale.

Gregg Doud – VP Global Situational Awareness and Chief Economist for Aimpoint Research / Former Ag Chief Negotiator for President Trump. Presentation key highlights:

– Gregg is from Mankato, Kansas originally. He has been in DC for 30 years. Gregg was an incredible speaker and shared many stories from his career with us.

– The most important chart, in Gregg’s opinion, is the price of hogs in China as half the pigs in the world are in China. Also, continue watching the price of tallow which is now being used in aviation fuel.

– It is critical we understand “How do we feed 9B people in ~2050?” We are going to use tech and we should not apologize for it.

– Recommended reading:

o Farmers vs. Foodies by Ray Starling

o Never Give an Inch by Mike Pompeo

o Peter Zion books

– “Kill the chickens to scare the monkeys” is a metaphor to the regulatory system in China

– China bought $18B of protein last year. This is the first time that China is allowing GMO crops to be grown.

– Historic that this year the USDA will report that Brazil will export more corn (50M tons) than the USA (49M tons) to China. Two huge factors: African swine fever and the war in Ukraine.

– Trade agreements aren’t economic; they are mostly geo-political.

– Learn to use silence! It can be an invaluable tool during negotiations.

– The USA is not liberal and conservative. It is city-folks and non-city-folks as Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh taught. There are many more city folks, so figure out how to effectively lobby them. As Dr. Flinchbaugh said, “practice the politics of the minority.”

Mike Seyfert, President and CEO, National Grain and Feed Association, presentation key highlights:

– Mike grew up in Minneapolis, Kansas. He was an intern and staffer for Sen. Roberts. He has been in Washington DC for 27-28 years.

– Ag is a “small town” whether you’re in Kansas or in Washington DC.

– Key issues/happenings for National Grain and Feed Association:

o Shipping, transportation, logistics, infrastructure—war in Ukraine, rail strikes, Mississippi River issues/drought

o Snake River in Pacific Northwest

o IIJB infrastructure bill; race against other countries who are quickly upgrading all infrastructure

o Relationship with China as the #1 ag export relationship; their population tipped for the first time in 2022.

o Sustainability/climate … The consumer is changing and therefore we must have discussions, even when the discussions are hard.

– Ag is still very bipartisan by nature. Don’t look at leaders as Republicans or Democrats, but rather as Aggies and be sure to connect with them from rural and/or ag standpoint.

– While in DC, don’t forget to pause and remember where you are. Step back and think about the people, debates, and decisions that have taken place in these hallways and rooms.

Terri Moore, VP of Communications, American Farm Bureau Federation, presentation highlights:

– Communicate the “why” to make sure people understand it.

– Ag waited to tell our side of the sustainability conversation and now others have shaped the narrative. We are now having to win it back.

– The words we choose are important. You can say the same thing but use different words—profitable vs economic sustainability.

– To gain trust your messenger must be authentic. They can use facts, figures, and data, but communicating values is 3 to 5 times more impactful than data. Therefore, conveying values should be front-of-mind in communication. Establishing shared values creates trust.

– We live in a land of misinformation and disinformation which is scary. If those distorting the message have gained trust, it will be tough to win them over.

– 2% of the US population is involved in agriculture. We should not expect the general population to understand ag. Keep this in mind when communicating with others and don’t use jargon.

– Communicate shared values in ag…don’t rely on the science and economics. There are different ways to communicate shared values.

o Food

o Animals

o Environment

o People

– Listen to understand and engage without judgement. You must understand others’ perspective. Remain committed to doing the right thing.

– #StillFarming was AFBF’s most effective marketing campaign during COVID when consumers’ trust dipped due to empty store shelves. It remains hugely effective to this day.

– Video is a critical marketing tool—even cell phone videos. The cell phone video sometimes feels more credible than a produced video because of the speaker’s authenticity.

– 76% of Americans trust farmers and ranchers to care for the environment. Imagine what happens when we amplify our message.

– In research regarding the Farm Bill, they tested removing the nutrition program. It would be much more difficult to pass the Farm Bill if this happened. If another bill was created without including the nutrition program in it, the other plan/bill would probably not pass.

Jon Hixson, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Global Government Affairs at Yum! Brands presentation highlights:

– Native Kansan from WaKeeney. Jon was a staffer and worked on Capitol Hill. He then went to Cargill where he spent 12 years in the US and 3 years in Southeast Asia. Jon returned to DC to work in government affairs. He is a “global wanderer in the food market.” He has now worked for Yum! for 6 years. This is his first experience for a publicly traded company. YUM opens approximately 11 restaurants every day around the world.

– Trust model… authenticity, reliability, and orientation (yourself and/or community) … What you live/do and how you do it.

– RED: relevant, easy, distinctive

– Stay “on culture.” US producers must engage and be relevant. When we share our values, they resonate with the public.

– As an industry we need to get better about talking about the “why” in the simplest form.

– There is power in collaboration of leadership’s voice. We have power—especially as a group. We must champion/support/bounce ideas off other leaders.

– Yum is currently opening the most restaurants in Asia. KFC is their most global restaurant.

– Regarding the conversation of fast food vs. nutritious food, Yum! intentionally doesn’t have kids’ meals. (Salt, fat, sugar = the eye of the storm in public health.)

Monday was definitely a jam-packed first day in DC filled with incredible presenters and information. The expertise these speakers shared with us was remarkable. It was also special because so many of the speakers call Kansas home. After wrapping up these inspiring presentations, our class traveled to the Fish Market in Alexandria, Virginia, and enjoyed a great evening of fellowship.


Travis Graber
Haven

National Service Day Two
Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Submitted by: Travis Graber

Class XVI started day two in Washington, DC, at the USDA building. For the morning session, we combined with the ag rural leadership groups from four other states – Virginia, Kentucky, Washington, and New Mexico.

Dr. Basil Gooden – Director of State Operations for Rural Development

– The group was welcomed and hosted by Dr. Basil Gooden. He spoke briefly about his time in the Virginia Agriculture Leaders program and how it helped him immensely by providing exposure to new areas related to the agriculture industry. He is a native Virginian, where he and his family still own and operate a farm where they raise black angus beef cattle.

Xochitl Torres Small – Under Secretary for Rural Development

– As with other speakers, Ms. Torres Small discussed the USDA’s focus on rural America and how the future for Agriculture is forging opportunity where we live. She wants people to be able to do the work they love in a place they love.

– The financial aspect is difficult for many producers. Despite net profits for agriculture last year, half of producers operate in the red, and a high percentage of producers rely on off-farm income.

– Ms. Torres Small’s vision: supporting innovation that’s already happening. Allowing farms to get a greater share of the $1 for their product so they can reinvest that in rural America.

Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh – former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

– Dr. Bronaugh has a background in education and extension work. She taught a vocational class in high school, then when into extension work, was a college dean, worked for the FSA, and was then a state commissioner of Ag. Through her career, she found a passion for working with young people and developing the next generation of leaders.

– When Dr. Bronaugh joined the USDA as the Deputy Secretary of Ag, she knew that equity would be a big part of her work. She was confident though that there’s an opportunity for every producer at the table.

– She noted a couple challenges she sees for the USDA: 1) how funding/resources are given out and how to make it more equitable, and 2) funding for extension programs.

– As with others, Dr. Bronaugh discussed some leadership advice. She mentioned something she gained from participating in a leadership program was her ability to create and articulate a vision. She was adamant that professionals need to think about work-life balance and how we may have to learn to say no at times. For her, the biggest no’s were in the evenings. Boundaries are sometimes needed for self-preservation.

Zach Ducheneaux – Administrator, USDA Farm Service Agency

– Mr. Ducheneaux has a ranching background in South Dakota and previously held the position of Executive Director of the Intertribal Ag Council.

– He discussed how the USDA/FSA has room to grow in how Ag finance is done. He mentioned the farm ownership portfolio operates at a negative and helps pay down debt. He provided the recent statistic that 85% of FSA loans didn’t have default. His goal is to ensure folks have the best opportunity and put an offer on the table to help them.

– Mr. Ducheneaux explained that his leadership philosophy resembles elements of horsemanship – awareness, empathy, and presentation. Additionally, he always tries to continue learning and he never takes no for an answer. Mr. Ducheneaux adamantly believes that the status quo is fully responsible for what we have now. However, he reminded the group that we can’t persecute those that hold on to the status quo. It is important to show challenges with the status quo and offer solutions.

Robert Bonnie – Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation

– Mr. Bonnie was raised on a farm, where he was inclined to think about conservation practices. With the focus on conservation, he is also concentrated on making sure land is economically viable so it can stay in agriculture.

– He offered some leadership advice to the group – he’s learned that you get nothing done alone and that building teams, support, and stakeholders is important.

Sanah Baig – Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics

– Ms. Baig echoed Mr. Bonnie comments by mentioning that new opportunities need to be built so that most can profit in Agriculture. Work through state research and extension groups is an important part of this. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) work to together to advance research in agriculture related sciences. In addition, the USDA is partnering around the world on Ag innovation.

– Other core focuses of the USDA are increasing the protein supply chain (all types) and food waste issues.

– Ms. Baig also offered some leadership advice to the group –

• Figure out your superpower and find ways to bring people around you that balance out your strengths.

• What is your north star? What is your mission?

• Sharpen your written communication skills.

• Listen to understand and learn, not to respond.

• Invest in building relationships.

• How you treat people matters more than anything.

Luke Amend
Whitewater

National Service Day Three
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Submitted by: Luke Amend

Our KARL class started our third day in Washington DC at the Government Accountability Office. There we were joined by other IAPAL programs from the states of Kentucky, New Mexico, Virginia, and Washington. Tiffany (Washington program) introduced the first speaker Robyn Colosimo, Director of Policy and Legislation to the Assistant Secretary US Army for Civil Works. Robyn explained what is the Army for Civil Works and how they collaborate with the Army Corps of Engineers. The office consists of 2 presidential appointees who oversee approximately 40,000 employees who build and maintain public infrastructure.

Robyn then introduced her superior Michael Conner, Assistant Secretary US Army for Civil Works. Mr. Conner told us the story that led him to his current position. He has a law degree from the University of Colorado Law School, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State University. Following work in private industry for several years, he held several governmental positions including the Deputy Secretary of the Interior, where he was the Chief Operating Officer during the Obama administration. In 2020, while aiding President Biden’s administration, he was asked to enter into his current role as Assistant Secretary US Army for Civil Works. Mr. Conner explained that his role is to “coordinate and advance The President’s vision and the Corps mission”. The five areas that were discussed were:

1. Upgrading waterways and ports that aid in the transportation goods

2. Building climate resilient infrastructure

3. Modernizing programs and operations within the US Army for Civil Works civil works office

4. Utilizing science and technology in their research and development

5. Strengthening partnerships through improved communication

Mr. Jaime A. Pinkham, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works spoke next. Mr. Pinkham received forestry degrees from Oregon State University and Peninsula Community college in Port Angeles, Washington. Since we were joined by the Washington IAPAL program, Mr. Pinkham presented a donation to Peninsula College (his alma mater). Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Pinkham served on tribal commissions and multiple foundations. He is parts of the Nez Perce Tribe. He proudly relayed stories of his efforts in advocating for tribal sovereignty, self- determination, and treaty rights. He discussed how his background strengthened his “leadership journey”. He told us “we all bring our own history and perspective” and encouraged us to “see yourself and other things differently”. The main tasks that he is currently working on are:

1. Improving navigating channels

2. Rehabilitation of the Rio Grande waterway

3. Critical mineral permitting

4. National security issues

Our time at the Government Accountability Office was closed by Robyn Colosimo. She discussed her history and how she almost entered the construction industry as a project manager, but changed her mind and went back to school. She discussed several other examples of how “none of my career was by design”. She encouraged us “don’t be too strict, be flexible”.

Next, we were off to United States Capital Building. At the US Capital Visitor’s Center our KARL class was divided into two groups. Anna (from Shawnee Kansas) and Nick (from California) were our tour guides. Both Anna and Nick were college students that were completing an internship at the Capital. During our tour we discovered:

1. Construction of the U.S. Capitol began in 1793. The original building was finished in 1826.

2. The largest addition to the Capitol is the Capitol Visitor Center. It was completed in 2008.

3. The bronze Statue of Freedom (located on the top of Capital Building) is 19½ feet tall and weighs 15,000 pounds. The 13 stars on the statue represent the original 13 colonies.

4. A tomb (The Capital Crypt) was built for the remains of George Washington. It is a circular room below the Rotunda. President Washington specified that he wished to be buried at his home at Mount Vernon, and his wish was honored.

5. There are 100 statues in the building (2 for each state). There are 11 statues of women in the building. Amelia Earhart and President Eisenhower are the two that honor the State of Kansas. Hellen Keller’s statue is the only statue that is allowed to be touched (so the visually impaired can experience it).

6. The Supreme Court met in the building in 1860. Law apprentices would sit behind a half-wall that separated the room. This half-wall was also called “the bar”. Once they had become lawyers, they were allowed on the other side of the bar. This was the origination of the term “passing the bar”.

7. The Rotunda is the large, domed, circular room located in the center of The Capitol building. There are eight framed paintings on the walls (four of the revolutionary period and four of early exploration). The highest portion of the dome is made from cast iron. Cast iron was used so that this portion of the roof would be fire proof. The fresco painting located just below the windows was painted to give the illusion of a sculpted relief although it is in reality flat.

8. Statuary Hall was previously the House of Representatives. It includes President Lincoln’s desk and the two Lincoln pillars (where the President was often seen leaning). The shape and acoustics of this room provided an acoustical effect where in some spots a person speaking many yards away could be heard clearly. It’s reported that John Quincy Adams utilized this acoustic effect to communicate.

We ended our Capital tour with a picture between the statues of President Reagan and President Eisenhower.

Next, we navigated the multiple hallways, stairs, and even a small railcar as we traveled to the Senate building for a meeting with US Senator for Kansas, Jerry Moran. The Senator’s chief of staff James Kelly introduced other staff members and explained the roles they fulfill for Senator Moran. Senator Moran spoke about the future of rural Kansas and the importance of:

1. Agriculture (including the 2023 Farm Bill approval)

2. Healthcare

3. Access to technology, especially high speed internet

4. Transportation infrastructure

5. Education

Senator Moran spoke about the current relationship between the democratic and republican parties. He said “we have become two teams. Beat the other team versus making a positive change”. He discussed

the negative effect that social media has had on politics. After answering several questions, he thanked us for being a part of KARL and encouraged us to stay involved in our communities, saying “nothing happens without people stepping up and taking action” and “we don’t need more politicians, we need more citizens”.

Our last meeting of the day was with our respective state representatives. We walked to their offices located in the Rayburn House Office Building. The Representatives were not in session but meeting with their staff members still allowed KARL class members to talk about current issues in their respective regions of Kansas.

· Tracey Mann’s staff members (district KS-01) met with 15 KARL class members

· Jake LaTurner’s staff members (district KS-02) met with 4 KARL class members

· Sharice Davids’s staff members (district KS-03) met with 1 KARL class member

· Ron Estes’s staff members (district KS-04) met with 10 KARL class members

Following this day of meetings, we boarded a motor coach bus and traveled to two hours to the Gettysburg Hotel in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. We were greeted by John Regetin and other faculty of the Gettysburg Leadership Experience.

For more on Class XVI’s Gettysburg Leadership Experience, click here.


KARL Class XVI Associates

Leavenworth/Kansas City Seminar – XVI

Wendy Hughes
Ellinwood

Leavenworth/KC Day One
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Submitted by: Wendy Hughes

CHANGE: adjustment, development, diversity, modify, alter, innovative.

These all describe what our KARL XVI class encountered during our February 15-17 2023 excursion to Kansas City and Leavenworth……and Topeka(change). The venue for our first day moved from the American Royal facility to the Kansas Bankers Association building in Topeka for two reasons.

First, the weather was to be very bad with ice and sleet forecasted. Second, the Chiefs! They won the Super Bowl, their parade went right down the road our hotel was located on, and they had over 500,000 in attendance. The roads were more than congested. Thanks to Jill, Susan and the board, they thought of our safety and had us stop in Topeka for our first days’ events.

The next big change came when Christa Milton had the flu and was to be our chair for the day. Nick Peters, of Goessel, stepped up and took the lead. Thankfully Christa will be all well for our Washington, DC trip.

Coach “K” said in his video “Leadership you have because you want to get better” No EXCUSES. Have flexibility, be positive and always look people in the eye when talking with them.

Dr. Emily Lehning, Co-Founder of Roots and Legacies Consulting, Inc., led us in a discussion on how we can use our strengths from the Clifton Strengths finder to grow stronger, work smarter and lead wiser. We must remember: The bird, the bee and the bat all fly, they just use different wings. The insightfulness this gives us will help us in every part of our lives.

EXPLOITATION of VULNERABILITIES is what Russ Tuttle wants us to remember after a heart wrenching presentation about domestic minor sex trafficking. Mr. Tuttle represents BeAlert, the awareness and prevention strategy of The Stop Trafficking Project.

It is unbelievable the USA is the number one country in the world for pornography on the World Wide Web. Three fourths of the teenagers in America are engaging in some sort of pornography.

With a three-fold increase in online usage of 7-10 year olds since 2021, the predators are rampant. We need to be well aware of all the apps they download and use on their cell phones and internet devices. “Sextortion” is the fastest growing crime today.

After dinner with our guests, Damon New and Jancy Hall, we all made our way to Hotel Indigo in downtown Kansas City. There was a wait due to the road crews removing the fences from the Chiefs parade. We all had a great visit that evening and look forward to our next grand adventures.


Adam York
Manhattan

Leavenworth/KC Day Two
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Submitted by: Adam York

USP Leavenworth– The class started Thursday, Feb 16, 2023 with a tour of United States Federal Penitentiary (USP) Leavenworth guided by Warden Don Hudson, a Tonganoxie native. Congress created USP Leavenworth through a special act in the late 19th century, the reservation for the U.S. Penitentiary was then deeded by the War Department to the Justice Department in 1897 to build the United States Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. The decision was partially made based on the labor available from the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth and military inmates provided for the first phase of construction and were later the first prisoners to be incarcerated in 1903.

The first cell house opened in 1906, and the USP was completed in the 1920s. After hearing the history of USP Leavenworth, the class learned about “famous” inmates such as Georage “Machine Gun Kelly” Barnes, Robert Stroud, and the “Birdman of Alcatraz” from Warden Hudson and his executive staff before departing for a tour of the facility. All together, USP Leavenworth currently holds 1900 inmates that include 331 inmates at adjacent minimum security satellite camp. The facility provides healthcare and meal services defined by on-staff nutritionists within a nationally aligned menu. Interestingly, each staff is effectively a law enforcement officer, from healthcare providers to meal services personnel. USP Leavenworth is “city within a city” and the Warden provided the class with the forward facing vision of the penitentiary as a new facility is planned in the years ahead.

Zephyr– Zephyr Products, LLC, was the next stop in Leavenworth. Zephyr is a metal fabrication company located in Leavenworth with an innovative and progressive job training program. The class heard from Jason Miles, Chief People Officer at Zephyr and how his program recruits up to 80 workers from nearby Lansing Correctional Facility for above-minimum wage, extreme-on-the-job-training (EJT) career opportunities under an 18 month program. Over lunch at the facility, Jason shared his story of youth incarceration, eventual expungement, working his way up through Zephyr to reenter civil society, and left the class with a power testimony about life changing “Odd or God” events that were accomplished through constant positivity, as “negativity robs us of experience.”

Fort Leavenworth and Command and General Staff College Foundation– Due to icy weather, the class was unable to visit Fort Leavenworth in the afternoon and flexibility and adaptation were the words of the day as our tireless KARL staff leaders worked to reconfigure our daily schedule on the fly.

American Royal– With a scheduling adjustment due to inclement weather, the class arrived at the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri. Nathan Lauden, Director of Education with the American Royal, led us on a tour of the American Royal Association Museum to dive into its proud history and heritage on the same location at the historic Kansas City terminal stockyards with nearby Union Station and banks in the vicinity. Nathan detailed the National Hereford Show at the American Royal, the first sale and show combined which set a strong precent for other breeds to follow. The class also learned the story of the facility’s namesake and how “American Royal” gained its name in 1902 based on the “British Royal Exposition” in the United Kingdom. Following the tour,

the class regrouped upstairs for a presentation outlining the American Royal’s vision entitled “American Royal Today versus American Royal Tomorrow.” As the American Royal transitions to a new purpose-built facility dedicated to hosting food and ag events near the Legends area of Kansas City on the Sunflower State’s side of the border, the City of Kansas City, MO, which owns the current facility, will decide the current building’s fate.

Segueing from the American Royal to an overview of livestock markets generally in the U.S., Chelsea Good, KARL Board Member and Vice President of Policy at Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) gave an in-depth background and history of LMA and its mission to serve the many aspects of the industry as livestock markets comprise cattle dealers, order buyers, and farmers and ranchers. Livestock marketing is heavily regulated under various state and federal agencies, including State Departments of Agriculture, USDA, OSHA, EPA, and others.

Due to in part to compliance obligations and an industry leader in legal marketing, LMA offers extensive member service to its industry that facilitates $30 billion worth of trade annually.

Lastly during our time at the American Royal, the class heard from J.J. Jones, Executive Director of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA). NIAA convenes animal agriculture experts in collaborative settings for continuous improvement. Thought provoking and forward-looking, J.J. walked the class through five numbers to remember in the food and agricultural technology investment space:

● $19.8 billion – venture capital into food and ag tech in 2019;

● $7.6 billion – invented in animal/crop ag in 2019;

● >$51 billion – invested in food and ag tech in 2021

● ~$1.6 trillion – amount of venture capital in entire market;

● ~$26 trillion – capital sitting on the sidelines uninvested.

The class learned how it can be hard to identify innovations that disrupt animal agriculture compared to traditional big tech, for example. However, animal agriculture has a hugely positive story to communicate and its challenge is defining the story as opposed to having it defined by others.

Featured Speaker: Mark McCully, CEO American Angus Association— Concluding the day’s successful events and curriculum, the class attended dinner at Grand Street Cafe back in Kansas City and listened to Mark McCully, CEO with the American Angus Association located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, speak passionately about certified angus beef and the success story that got the angus industry to a market-moving premium standard and through which sold the first pound of certified angus beef in 1978. Mark’s remarks led the class through a thought provoking and existential question for his industry: how did angus breeders build a branded beef program at a time no one had done it?

Mark presented the following key takeaways detailing the efforts success as we began to conclude our second to last seminar of Year One and depart for the Capstone trip to Washington, D.C. in just one short month to follow:

● “Leaders are bold and take action.”

● “Leaders think differently and buck the trend when necessary.”

● “Leaders require patience and the fortitude to stay the course.”

● “Leaders stay true to their convictions and resist lowering standards for short term gain.”

● “Culture trumps strategy.”

Jamie Boggs
Buhler

Leavenworth/KC Day Three
Friday, February 17, 2023
Submitted by: Jamie Boggs

After two eventful days, we ended our time together for this session at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) in Kansas City, KS. Chair of the day, Derick McGhee, welcomed the class and introduced our speakers for the morning.

First up was Justin Marovec, Manager of Dealer Development in the U.S. and Canada for John Deere. Mr. Marovec gave a brief overview of the company and discussed the strategies they use to reach their goals of conducting business that is ‘essential to life’. John Deere, founded in 1837, operates an estimated 1,870 locations in over 30 countries worldwide while employing just over 80,000 people. There are nearly 2,000 dealers in the U.S. and Canada.

A recent company restructure provided them with 3 components that are centered around providing customers with sustainable economic value, referred to as their Smart Industrial Strategy. These strategies allow the company to focus on specific systems that customers are using to maximize productivity verses specific product lines.

1. Tech Stack

a. Autonomy, Connectivity, and Hardware.

2. Production Systems

a. Production & Precision Systems including tractors and equipment needed for corn, soy, small grains, sugar and cotton production.

b. Small Ag & Turf including tractors and self-propelled forage harvesters for dairy and livestock, high value crops, turf and utility.

c. Construction and Forestry machines.

3. Life Cycle

a. Support, parts, service, and performance upgrades.

Tech stack has accelerated precision and automation while helping customers increase their productivity, profitability, and sustainability. John Deere currently has approximately 500,000 connected machines covering 329 million engaged acres.

The company focuses on the overlap of 3 distinct areas when looking at new equipment and technology opportunities: customer needs, economic value, and environmental impact. The most successful projects touch on all three areas! Over the years, their business model has had to adjust given the everchanging technology development costs and the value to each consumer being highly variable. Pricing products at a lower up-front cost, that gets better over time, and allows the consumer to only pay for what they need is crucial to the company.

Like all other industries, John Deere is struggling with attracting, retaining, and training talent. Fewer people are coming to the company with agricultural backgrounds and experience. Because of this, they have specifically chosen new U.S. corporate headquarter locations in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX to assist in attracting different skillsets.

John Deere focuses on helping farmers put food on tables and construction crews build roads that connect communities. John Deere prides themselves on having a REAL purpose, REAL tech, and REAL impact for their investors, employees, and customers.

Michael Lichte, Senior VP of Sales & Marketing for DFA was the next presenter. DFA is a global dairy foods cooperative owned by over 6,000 farmer-owners from across the country. Formed in 1998, DFA is divided into 7 geographic areas and is overseen by a 48-member board of directors. The cooperative structure allows DFA to share profits through annual patronage dividends (at the discretion of the board) based on the use, in volume, in the co-op. With 2021 U.S. annual sales topping $19.3 billion, DFA is the largest supplier of raw milk in the world.

Other interesting facts include:

  • Exports to 60 countries around the world
  • Shipping more than 30 different forms of dairy products to more than 200 global customer-partners
  • Exporting over 7,000 ocean containers out of 14 domestic ports

DFA cooperative members also share an equal voice through a grassroots governance structure, guaranteed markets for milk, competitive prices, programs and services, and returns on investments in the cooperative.

Following Michael’s presentation, we went on a tour of the building. Emma Reynolds, Manager of Dairy Policy & Industry Relations, joined the group to lead the tour. Built in 2017, the DFA headquarters offers an open workspace for approximately 400 on-site staff members.

DFA employees feel connected and passionate about working for a cooperative and the farmers they serve on a daily basis. Employees also have access to a full-service kitchen and cafeteria, fitness facilities with scheduled classes, basketball court, walking trail, fire pit, collaborative work areas, and a Milk Bar. These perks help provide a ‘home away from home’ experience and assist in attracting and retaining talent in a competitive environment.

It’s also worth noting that the DFA facilities are ‘udderly’ impressive and visually showcase their story throughout the building. We were met with a 29-foot-tall milk sculpture in the lobby that resembled milk being poured from the ceiling to the floor. The entire office space was designed around milk and dairies, thus the crisp, clean colors and textures and technology throughout the building.

Every aspect of this space was tastefully selected to give visitors a farm-to-table experience including a grass wall, reclaimed wood from local barns, milk bottles, and walls lined with items such as ear tags, ice cream scoops, and cheese graters.

And let’s not forget the Milk Bar open to visitors and employees. This is DFA’s version of the office water cooler and was a big hit with the class!

While enjoying a delicious buffet of dairy themed appetizers and lunch, each class member shared takeaways and highlights from the week. Many in the class were impressed by the strength’s finder exercise and the impactful discussion with Russ Tuttle. We wrapped up the week discussing plans for the upcoming Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg trip next month

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State of the State Seminar – XVI

Kari West
Girard

State of the State Day One
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Submitted by: Kari West

The KARL Class XVI began our leadership experience in the Capitol City where we explored policymaking, state judiciary responsibilities, trade association advocacy and what makes Kansas a leader in rural development.

Kansas Bankers Association – Doug Wareham

Our journey began at the Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) with a lunch and a welcome from President and CEO, Doug Wareham and Alan Cobb, President & CEO of The Kansas Chamber.

Wareham spent time sharing why leadership matters when sustaining local access to credit in rural communities. KBA has 36 staff members who assist with legal issues, compliance, government relations, education, employee benefits, etc. Here are some key points you should know:

· 98% of Kansas banks are represented by the KBA

· KBA members each have one vote (1 Bank = 1 Vote)

· Founded in 1887, more than 136 years in service

· Today there are 177 state-chartered banks, 27 national-chartered banks, and 7 national savings & loan institutions who manage more than $89,977,257,000 in assets.

Wareham shared that the Community Banking Model continues to change and shared alarming statistics which he referred to as “Boiling the Frog,” a result of mergers and acquisitions. In 2001, Kansas had 390 state-chartered banks. By 2021, more than 177 banks sold or consolidated in the state. When that occurs, communities generally lose top level jobs and big decisions tend to be moved to the headquarter locations removing local from the equation. The last new state-charter for a bank in Kansas was 2007.

There are several factors leading pushing community lenders to consolidation.

· Regulatory Burden & Overreach – think about the layers of regulations banks must work through. Couple that with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau created as a result of the 2008 housing crisis.

· Rising cybersecurity & fraud costs (11% of bank expense load is related to this)

· Tax Equity challenges

The KBA is assisting local banks with the ability to make change in legislation and push back to protect the free market. Why should you care? It’s simple:

Local Leadership = Local Decision Making = A Win for Rural Communities!

The Kansas Chamber – Alan Cobb

Alan Cobb, President & CEO of The Kansas Chamber, shared some Chamber 101 facts about the Kansas Economy. Currently the Kansas Chamber has more than 600 members in a variety of sectors. Nearly 80 of the 105 counties are represented in their membership.

He explained that the heart of the Kansas economy is agriculture, manufacturing, aviation/aerospace, oil/gas, and financial services. Both the rural and urban areas have unique challenges, but both are experiencing the workforce issues.

Did you know…

· Kansas is second in the nation per capita of number of government employees

· Kansas is also 12th in the nation in goat production

· There are more than 3,500 units of Local Government in the state

· There are more than 600 cities & 1,500 Townships

The Legislative Process – Doug Wareham

When we came into the room for the first session, we all drew parts to play in the legislative process. Doug’s enthusiasm and real-world experience with how a bill becomes a law in Kansas, was both entertaining and enlightening in an interactive presentation. One key takeaway from this exercise: Legislature should only be used as a last resort.

Doug shared several thoughts as we worked through an actual banking bill from introduction to inception using real-life examples.

Before introducing legislation, consider the following questions:

· DO we have a legitimate concern or problem?

· CAN we make a case for it?

· DO we have adequate information to back up our claims?

· DO we have grassroots support? To get something passed, you need to have an Army behind you, and the fight should happen in the boardroom, so do your homework.

The key to an effective case plain and simple: COMMUNICATION.

Did you know that more than 80% of bills introduced will disappear by Turnaround Day? In this process, lobbying either by trade association or other lobbyists is crucial to gaining needed support for your endeavor. Views from a lobbyist:

· The legislative process is designed by nature to kill bad ideas.

· Strategy is most definitely required.

· If you get hot, leave the building.

· If you only show up when you want something, you’ll never get anything.

· Don’t burn bridges.

· When asked about where a bill should be introduced first, he said pick the best odds and know where your champions lay. Which group will the bill go the furthest, the fastest?

· Develop a coalition of supporters.

· Don’t be afraid to lobby the lobbyist. Make sure you’re ready when you have the opportunity for your 3-1/2-minute elevator speech.

Kansas Works Registered Apprenticeship Program – Shonda Atwater

The Office of Registered Apprenticeship is housed in the Kansas Department of Commerce and led by Shonda Atwater. This office was established in September 2022 by Governor Laura Kelly to help address growing workforce needs in Kansas.

The new Office of Apprenticeship will serve as the primary resource to connect industry partners and training providers with the goal of Keeping Kansans in Kansas.

The office will work to serve as a resource provider, to convene partners and the guide apprenticeships in the state. There is a newly appointed Kansas Apprenticeship Council that will guide the program. (Spoiler alert, KARL Class XVI participant, Jeremy Johnson’s dad, Mark, currently serves on this statewide council.)

Kansas currently has 212 recognized Apprenticeships programs with close to 4,000 residents participating. Did you know that 9 out of 10 employees will stay where they completed their apprenticeship?

Another one of the many things Atwater is excited about, is the apprenticeship “Dinner Bell Calls” that are held to promote success, connect with others and help to grow the program. For more information, email apprenticeship@ks.gov.

Laws that Make Kansas a Great Place for Agriculture/Business – Allie Devine

Former Secretary of Ag and current lobbyist shared her take on the laws that make Kansas a great place for agriculture. Kansas is a pro-ag, pro-growth state.

· Kansas values ag property on the use value or inherent ability to produce, not on market basis

The impact of this draws ag-related businesses to Kansas. Devine said, “Die on your sword to protect use value.” But there are several other factors that contribute to the Kansas ag business climate:

· Taxation of tangible personal property. Kansas offers tax exemptions to businesses as a part of making the product.

· Limitations on County Home Rule. Counties were never meant to be separate from the state, they are a subdivision of the state.

· Sales Tax Exemptions – there are many exemptions that get challenged on a regular basis that could impact how we do business. It’s important to remember, ag producers enjoy these exemptions because they are producing a commodity for the wholesale market.

· Other areas of ag regulations are limited to uniform state law:

o Examples include, but are not limited to: Weights & Measures, Conservation Programs, Grain Warehouses, Dairy Inspections, Water Structures & Appropriations, Plant Inspections & much more.

o In 1990, Kansans fought for uniformity.

Devine wrapped up her conversation with the group by talking about lobbyists, their impact and planting the question, who will be the guardians of these laws in Kansas moving forward? She encourages communities to send the best and brightest, educated and articulate to Topeka. The state needs the next set of leaders. After all, we are the best lobbyist there is. Key Takeaway:

Common People Doing Extraordinary Things

A special thanks to those KARL Fellows who joined us for the last session of Day 1, and to Alan Cobb and the staff at The Kansas Chamber for hosting the event.


Greg Doering
Manhattan

State of the State Day Two
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Submitted by: Greg Doering

Understanding Education, Finance and KSDE Legislative priorities

Kansas Department of Education officials Craig Neuenswander, deputy commission fiscal and administrative services, and Dale Brungardt, director of school finance, told us Kansas is a state of “small, rural schools” was the main takeaway from their presentation to start off Thursday’s session in the State Capitol on school finance. The quote was backed up with statistics as well. Sixteen school districts account for about half of the 470,000 students. The other half are distributed over 270 school districts ranging in size of just under 1,000 square miles (Syracuse) to less than 15 square miles (Galena).

Just as districts differ in geographic size, they also differ in appraised valuations used to fund K-12 education. The larges district has a valuation of $4.24 billion while the smallest clocks in at just under $10 million. The state’s task is to provide equitable and adequate funding for all districts. To do so, it allocates a base amount of $4,846 per “fulltime equivalent student” (FTE). That base funding is supplemented by a weighting system that accounts for various factors, like low or high enrollment, transportation and the number of students considered “at-risk”. The weightings can increase a district’s FTE enrollment, which is multiplied by the base aid to determine how much money a district will receive from the state.

KSDE is currently working to close the gap between state and federal support for special education services, which are currently underfunded by the state by 16 percentage points and at the federal level by 24 percentage points. Special education services are required by law, so the money not provided by other governmental entities comes from districts’ budgets.

Panel discussion on Kansas Commodity Checkoff

Up next, Kaleb Little, Kansas Soybean CEO, and Matt Teagarden, Kansas Livestock Association CEO, gave a panel discussion on commodity checkoffs, which are essentially serve as a producer-assessed tax for the purposes of research, consumer preferences, market development, outreach, education and engagement. Most importantly, checkoff dollars can’t pay for lobbying efforts at the state for federal level, though those efforts are important to both organizations.

Little said lobbying efforts, especially at the federal level are more about trying to prevent bad policy than passing good policy and noted the grassroots engagement of members is more important to lobbying efforts than spending money. Teagarden agreed, saying ag organizations often join together when they have similar positions on issues, which makes the much more effective for their members.

Christy Davis, Rural Development State Director for Kansas

To wrap up the morning session, Christy Davis gave an overview of her presidential appointment overseeing the USDA’s Rural Development office in Kansas. Davis said she views her job as providing a push to accelerate rural development across the state with resources from her office.

One of the biggest challenges Davis has encountered in her first year is building capacity on the ground to identify needs and develop solutions. The Rural Development office in Kansas has about 30 employees, which makes it tough to provide statewide assistance. Davis says she’s working to build

capacity in communities across Kansas to ensure fair access for housing development, business expansion and other community building programs funded through Rural Development.

Hill’s Global Pet Nutrition Center

After lunch, we had the opportunity to visit the happiest place on earth, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Center, where the company researches current and future pet food formulations for either palatability or therapeutic efficacy for health improvement for conditions ranging from weight management to kidney care.

Scott Mickelson, the center’s attending veterinarian, gave an overview of the research laboratory that also includes 900 cats and dogs who are considered colleagues of the human staff. The animals’ only job at the lab is to eat pet food.

From a bark park for the dogs to sun porches for the felines, the pets live the highlife between shifts at the food bowl, which is where technology provides a research edge for Hill’s. Each pet is equipped with a microchip to access specialty feeders that allow access to individual animals. The bowls are on scales that detect the amount of food consumed in a sitting, and can cutoff access for the pets who believe they’re eating at a buffet.

In addition to controlling the amount of food each pet receives daily, about half of the pet population have been trained to conduct taste preference tests at the facility so it can be determined if the animals prefer one brand of food over another.

In addition to daily interaction with human staffers, Hill’s has a veterinary hospital on site to provide care for sick animals in addition regular checkups and annual teeth cleanings.

Kansas Hospital Association

After leaving Hill’s Pet Nutrition Center, we returned to the Statehouse to hear from the Kansas Hospital Association’s Chad Austin (president and CEO) and Cindy Samuelson (senior vice president of member and public relations) on issues critical to KHA, hospitals and rural Kansas.

Austin said KHA is a voluntary, nonprofit that exists to provide leadership and services to 123 member hospitals across the state. Some of the pressing issues include financial challenges, co-existing with Covid-19, workforce shortages, access and affordability of health care and the ongoing transformation of how healthcare is delivered and paid for.

Over the past 30 years, Kansas has seen the greatest decline in health rankings, from a high of No. 8 in the early 1990s to 29 in 2019, of any state in the U.S. based on a number of factors. Some notable contributors to this decline are an increase in adverse childhood experiences, low birthweights and occupational fatalities. Actionable information for community health improvement is available at www.kansashealthmatters.org. The website is made possible by KHA and other industry partners.

In the early months of 2022, more than 50 percent of all Kansas hospitals reported limiting services because of staffing shortages as a result of Covid-19 burnout, retiring Baby Boomers, limited education opportunities and a desire for flexible work schedules.

While all hospitals have challenges, rural hospitals are facing an acute struggle in remaining sustainable with an aging population, a higher number of uninsured patients and fewer health care workers living in rural areas, which often lack employment opportunities for spouses and childcare.

Seven hospitals in Kansas have closed since 2010, and currently 55 rural Kansas hospitals are operating at a financial loss and are in danger of closing. KHA supports the expansion of KanCare, the state’s Medicare program, and says doing so would increase the number of rural residents with access to insurance and, in turn, provide support to rural hospitals.

Panel with KDA Secretaries past and present

We concluded the day with an informative and entertaining panel discussion featuring current Kansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Beem and his predecessors at KDA Allie Devine, Josh Svaty and Jackie McClaskey for a wide-ranging discussion about leading the state’s agriculture policy.

All four shared how they became Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, with Devine being the first one appointed to the position after an interview with Bill Graves. McClaskey said a summer internship at KDA got her interested in pursuing a career path toward the top job. Svaty said it’s hard to say no to a governor’s request, but noted being a Democrat familiar with production agriculture makes it much more likely to receive such a request. Beam said he was lobbied to consider the job while in a car with Devine.

Beam said the pandemic proved the importance of KDA and agriculture in the state and he was proud of the agency’s work to keep meat processing plants open throughout the spring of 2020. Svaty discussed the regulatory nature of KDA during his term, noting trade and promotion was not part of the mission. McClaskey talked about the responsibility the secretary has in guiding KDA.

The four concluded the night by offering their opinions on the biggest challenges and opportunities for Kansas agriculture, which Beam summed up in two words: workforce and water. Svaty was optimistic about water, noting Kansas farmers learned from the Dust Bowl and are in a better position than other states facing similar issues. McClaskey said we do production ag really well in Kansas and the state is well positioned to capitalize on that by continuing to recruit and expand value-added processors. Devine noted the Ukraine-Russa war and said tight food supplies across Europe has the potential for greater conflict. She said it will be up to the U.S. to feed the world.

Lindsey Ott
Overland Park

State of the State Day Three
Friday, January 20, 2023
Submitted by: Lindsey Ott

After two productive days, we concluded the Topeka seminar by starting the day with fellowship, coffee and breakfast at Juli’s Coffee and Bistro across from the Cyrus Hotel.

Once sufficiently caffeinated, we met at the Kansas State Capital Visitor Center to hear from our first speaker of the day, Kimberlyn Jones, Digital Equity Program Manager for the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD).

Ms. Jones provided an overview of broadband initiatives to bring secure access and connection to rural Kansas. KOBD was founded in 2020 and currently has four personnel.

Goals of the department are to provide affordability, accessibility, and equity in broadband. According to the FCC, 15% of Kansas don’t have fiber, but the actual numbers are likely closer to 20-25%.

KOBD are conducting a map challenge to collect real-world data from Kansas broadband users to verify FCC data.

You can log on to this website to check your address and see if your location and speed are correct: https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home.

Providing this information strengthens KOBD’s ability to deliver broadband to Kansans. They are also collecting real-world data by going on a Kansas Broadband Roadshow which is an 8-region state listening tour to hear individual Kansan’s broadband needs. Comically, this roadshow was coined the “countrified broadband explosion” tour by a Kansan they met during their travels.

Our next agenda item was a tour the capitol building. Our tour guide was a wonderful source of information and walked us through the Governor’s office, the State Library, the House of Representatives, the Senate, through the rotunda, and by many of the beautiful murals found in the capital including the John Brown mural.

After our tour, Melissa King, Director of Appointments for Laura Kelly, spoke to us about serving on Kansas’ boards and commissions. If you are interested in learning more, see the link here: https://governor.kansas.gov/serving-kansans/office-of-appointments/

After this, Dalton Henry, VP of Policy, US Wheat Associates, spoke to us about making the most of capitol hill visits in preparation for KARL Class XVI’s visit to DC in March.

He also recommended that we should participate in a DC Fly-in if we get the opportunity.

Using a blind date as an analogy, Mr. Henry provided a checklist for how to approach a congressional visit.

Like a blind date, a congressional visit is setup for you, can be awkward, you present yourself in the best light possible, can go wrong if someone talks too much about themselves, and if it goes well, you’ve successfully gotten to know the person and may work together in the future.

A checklist of items to consider for the visit include:

Before the meeting: do homework and know who you are meeting, where, who is saying what

Be on time

Know the issues going on that day

During the meeting: be flexible, have a purpose, ask good questions, gather contacts, don’t talk about elections or fundraising, and be mindful of how you draw attention to your issue

After the meeting: send a follow-up thank you note (with handouts and business card), send an email outlining what you discussed and your issue (easy for staff to search), sign up for newsletters, go to in-state events

After Mr. Henry’s talk concluded, we walked from the capitol to the Kansas Supreme Court. The Honorable Dan Biles meet with us in the Supreme court room and discussed an overview of the Kansas Judicial Center. Judge Biles discussed the structure of the Kansas Court system where the hierarchy of the court system moves from municipal courts, to district courts, to Court of Appeals, and finally to the Supreme Court.

In Kansas there are 105 counties and 110 county courthouses (certain counties have 2 courthouses). The Kansas Judicial Center is currently incorporating a new eCourt system that creates a statewide, web-based courthouse. eCourt is a centralized case management system that will be used by all state courts. When Judge Biles was asked about how the justices research and learn about a case, he said the court is currently a “hot court” meaning that the justices can research prior to the oral argument through memos prepared by staff. They also hear an argument and discuss in the same day.

We concluded our Topeka seminar by discussing everyone’s take aways. A few class member highlights included learning about the legislative process from Doug Wareham, appreciating the importance of networking and relationships, touring the capital building, and seeing the Hill’s facility. We adjourned the Topeka seminar around noon.

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Northwest Kansas Seminar – XVI

Northwest Kansas Seminar – Class XVI

Sarah Henry
Randolph

Northwest Kansas Day One
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Submitted by: Sarah Henry

We kicked off our Goodland seminar at Northwest Kansas Technical College where our Chair for the day, Megan Hobbs, welcomed the KARL Class to Goodland. Megan set a challenge to the class to explore Kansas together while on long road trips and experience what Kansas has to offer. Jeff Deeds from KARL Class III welcomed Class XVI to Goodland and shared some facts about Northwest Kansas, including that Goodland used to have a sugar beet facility which has now been purchased by Scoular.

President of Northwest Kansas Technical College, Ben Schears, spoke to the class on all the amazing things that the technical college is doing for northwest Kansas. There are presently 325-370 students on campus with 400 students total including online and high school students. President Schears shared Northwest Tech has Excel in CTE, a satellite campus in Quinter, that provides welding classes for students in six area high schools. Northwest Technical college is helping give high school students the ability to take classes that match their interest and career plans following high school. The college provides a half day Jr./Sr. program in engineer, diesel mechanics, early childhood education, precision agriculture, cosmetology, and welding.

After Ben’s very enlightening presentation, former NCBA CEO Kendal Frazier, spoke to the class on being Kings and Kingmakers. Kendal opened his presentation talking about Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh and his important role in Kansas agriculture. It’s widely known that Dr. Flinchbaugh was the originator of the Kings and Kingmakers talk. Kendal then discussed that laws are made by a public problem looking facts, myths, and values. We then discussed the five categories of people who make laws:

1. Kingmakers: Influencers – not easy to identify; technology changes kingmakers; don’t represent status quo

2. Kings: Elected officials – state legislators; school board; like publicity

3. Actives: Engaged citizens – civic clubs; churches; primary voters; working to be Kings

4. Interested Citizens: Votes in general elections; gossip; found in coffee shops; typically has moderate political views

5. Apathetic citizens: motivated only if something grabs them

Kendal answered numerous questions from the group on how this might apply to KARL and class members as we return home to our rural communities. He closed out his presentation sharing with the class to not miss the good stuff.

We finished up the first part of our day with a panel of community influencers in Goodland made up of Ben Coumerilh from Goodland Tech, Ben Schears of Northwest Kansas Technical College, and Gennifer Golden House from the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation. Ben Coumerilh shared that Goodland Tech is beginning to specialize in blockchain and cryptocurrency while hiring students who have recently been trained at Northwest KansasTech. There are currently 33 students enrolled in the cloud and crypto program at Northwest Kansas Tech. The panel shared about the importance of creating jobs that will keep students in northwest Kansas instead of losing students to Denver and Kansas City. Creating new jobs like Goodland Tech, they are diversifying the economy. Gennifer shared about the challenge of a housing shortage in rural areas and not being able to keep up with the housing demands. While there are lots of construction workers, there is only one builder in the Goodland area. The Community Foundation is identified vacant lots to develop housing for jobs created by Goodland Tech and Northwest Kansas Tech.

We finished up the afternoon at 21st Century Bean where board members Alan Townsend and Brian Linin gave the class a tour of the packaging facility in Goodland. 50% of the dry beans provided to food banks and USDA food assistance programs in the country come through their facility in Goodland. Annually, over 100 million meals are provided through 21st Century Bean. The Goodland plant partners with farmers in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Colorado, and Kansas to package beans into small bags for distribution. Class members left the tour at 21st Century Bean with an appreciation of knowing how Kansas farmers are continuing to feed the world in innovative ways.

We finished the day with a dinner and reception hosted by Jeff and Jill Deeds in Goodland. The evening was filled with fellowship and a place to get to know our class members even better. Conversations at the tables were filled with reflections on the day and hearing about class members Holiday traditions.

Class X member, Matt Wolters from Surepoint (formerly Surefire) Ag Solutions joined the class for dinner and provided a brief keynote address on misfit leadership. Matt shared the definition of a misfit is: a person whose behavior or attitude sets them apart in a conspicuous way. To stand out or be clearly visible. He shared the beginning story of Surepoint starting in an old farmhouse to growing to the point where they were able to work with John Deere on a joint venture. Matt and his partners have created a company and an atmosphere at Surepoint that is invested in their rural community and the people who call it home. The Surepoint mission statement even states: to be an economic engine in Rawlins County. Matt closed out his presentation by saying that “you have to have a belief that what the naysayers say is wrong”.

Matt’s presentation to the class was an excellent precursor to the tour of the Surepoint facilities that Class XVI will take the following day.

Following Matt’s motivating presentation, class members continued to take time to spend in fellowship and getting to know one another and the Deed’s family. Our first day in Goodland was enlightening and motivating to say the least and it was made even better with hospitality that was second to none.


Andrea Krauss
Russell

Northwest Kansas Day Two
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Submitted by: Andrea Krauss

We started out Day 2 of the Northwest Kansas seminar by hopping on the bus and heading for Bird City, where we spent the morning at the recently renovated American Legion Post 352. The topic for the morning session was “Building Capacity and Improving Quality of Life”.

Betsy Wearing, Coordinator of Communications, Programs and New Initiatives for the Dane G. Hansen Foundation started off the session with a presentation about the programs offered by the Foundation. Their mission statement is as follows: “The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for the people of Northwest Kansas to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.” The Foundation, located in Logan, has been making grants to communities in the 26 counties in Northwest Kansas since 1965. Their Board of Trustees review 20 to 40 requests every month and make annual grant distributions of approximately $25 Million.

The Hansen Foundation has three main areas of focus:

1) Strengthening and supporting communities,

2) Creating an environment for growth, and

3) Increasing economic opportunities.

They hope to accomplish these goals through seven program areas: 1) NW Kansas READS, 2) NW Kansas LEARNS, 3) NW Kansas ARTS, 4) NW Kansas CARES for kids, 5) NW Kansas LEADS, 6) NW Kansas SERVES, and 7) NW Kansas GIVES.

The Foundation also supports other initiatives designed to enrich quality of life in Northwest Kansas. This includes the quarterly publication of the Northwest Kansas Today magazine, which is delivered, free of charge, to every household in the Foundation’s service area; the provision of scholarships, internships, and externships for college students from Northwest Kansas; support for the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center; funding for housing development in rural communities; and Strategic Doing initiatives designed to help communities work collaboratively to be more effective in achieving measurable positive outcomes.

Following Betsy’s presentation, we heard from Darci Schields, Executive Director and CEO of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, based in Bird City. The mission of the GNKCF is “To revitalize our communities and enhance the well-being of present and future generations.” Its vision is “Bringing rural communities together for growth and success.” It was established in 2009, and its service area includes the 12 counties in the far northwest corner of the state plus Russell County.

The GNKCF provides support to the local foundations in those 13 counties by providing the following services: 1) Back-office support, 2) IRS due diligence, 3) Regional marketing efforts, 4) Investment options and strategies, 5) Shared knowledge and resources, 6) Board and staff support and education, 7) Accounting and auditing services, and 8) Pooling of assets for higher returns on investment.

To round out the discussion, we heard from Scott Sproul, President and CEO of the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center, Inc., located in Norton. The NWKEICI was started six years ago by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. The mission of NWKEICI is to “Provide economic and entrepreneurial assistance to businesses in rural Northwest Kansas.” The NWKEICI serves the 26 counties in the Dane G. Hansen coverage area, working with existing businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the area to try to reverse the outflow of people and business from Northwest Kansas. Their goal is to increase population and to foster economic innovation in Northwest Kansas. Its programs include: 1) Business finance, 2) Childcare support, 3) Rural & Remote initiatives, and 4) Connect NWK job board, offering hiring incentives of $60,000 per county.

The remainder of the morning was dedicated to a discussion of the Kansas dairy industry. We were joined by Janet Bailey, CEO of the Kansas Dairy Commission and the Kansas Dairy Association, and Ole Johnson, owner of J7 Dairy in Tribune. We learned that the Kansas Dairy Association was formed in 1994, and the Kansas Dairy Commission was legislated into existence in 1995 as a check-off program.

Ole Johnson shared his story of becoming a dairy farmer and moving to Tribune in 2014 to start J7 Dairy (named for his seven sons) with 1,800 cows. The dairy now has 3,600 cows with 9,000 total head of cattle, farms 3,200 acres, and has 35 employees.

At J7, they strive to reduce waste and increase sustainability. They produce all of their feed on their farm, compost the manure for fertilizer, use lagoon water for irrigation, and utilize an open corral system. They A.I. all of their cows with beef cattle semen, in order to produce steers which are more desirable to feedlot operators.

All of the milk produced by the dairy is sold on contract. However, the four largest dairy processors in Kansas are all currently at capacity, which limits J7’s ability to expand and take on larger contracts. Ole emphasized that, in the operation of their dairy, they always strive to be good stewards of the land.

We then traveled to SurePoint Ag Systems in Atwood, where we had lunch. SurePoint specializes in providing solutions for the control and application of liquid and dry fertilizer, seed, and chemical. The company began in 2007 and was employee-owned. It entered into a joint venture with John Deere in 2022, retaining 20% ownership in the JV.

After lunch, we were given a tour of the SurePoint facility. In the engineering department, we learned that approximately 70% of the products sold are used for liquid fertilizer applications on planters, with the remaining 30% being the QuickDraw system for precision chemical application. Most of the application systems sold are customized systems, ordered by implement dealers for specific planter models, fertilizer products, and rates of application. The technology utilized is known as liqui-shift, which varies the rate of application based on the speed of the implement.

In the warehouse, we saw employees assembling various components of the applicator systems. We heard about how SurePoint’s success has come from their ability to adapt and innovate. Their sales growth has averaged 30% year over year.

Nicolas Bowles, OEM & International Sales Manager, has been with SurePoint since the beginning, when they only had 7 employees. He visited with us about their sales and support functions. SurePoint Ag Systems and its sister company, SurePoint Electronics, now employ a combined total of over 100 people. There are 10 territory sales managers and 12 inside sales managers. 95% of sales are made to implement dealers, with only 5% of sales in the retail market.

While at the SurePoint headquarters, we heard from a panel of Atwood community members who talked about community development and the efforts undertaken there to strengthen the local community. We heard about the 510 Main Youth Center, which provides a place for local youth to hang out and have fun. We also heard about efforts around housing development through 2 Homes, LLC. They buy dilapidated houses in tax sales and demolish them, using the vacant lots for the construction of new homes. To date, they have built 12 homes ranging in price from $160,000 to $300,000. They plan to continue to build 3-4 new homes per year.

Following the panel discussion, we headed back to Goodland for the evening. The evening’s events were held at the Price Convention Center, formerly the Elks Lodge, which was purchased by NW Tech with a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. A major $1.2 Million renovation is planned for the building.

The keynote speaker for the evening was Tanner Ehmke, Lead Economist for CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange research team. The topic of his presentation was the “Agricultural Economic Outlook” for 2023. One of the first points he made is that “Inside every risk is an opportunity.” Highlights from his presentation are:

· World economic growth is positive, but slowing. Energy prices signal a slowing economy, and as such, inflation is expected to slow in 2023.

· The good news is that U.S. inflation has likely peaked.

· However, labor is still extremely tight and will likely remain so because many workers (especially baby boomers) permanently left the workforce during COVID, women left the workforce to take care of the kids, the labor force has stopped growing due to falling fertility rates, net migration is down, and the Fed printed too much money during the pandemic.

· The Fed is making up for lost time by making their sharpest rate increases of all time.

· Although ag exports have remained strong, they will decrease in 2023 and imports will increase.

· Net farm income is at an historically high level, allowing producers to pay down debt.

· Land values will continue to increase in early 2023 and are then expected to plateau.

The day’s activities came to a conclusion around 9:00 that night. It was a long and exhausting day, but one that left us with a feeling of optimism and new ideas we can take back to our own communities.

Jennifer Smith
Lecompton

Northwest Kansas Day Three
Friday, December 9, 2022
Submitted by: Jennifer Smith

The final day of the Northwest Kansas tour kicked off with Class XVI reconvening at Northwest Kansas Technical College.

Session 1 –

Jack Polifka, an instructor at the college specializing in precision agriculture technology, gave an overview of the precision ag program. He and 2 other instructors manage the program and strive to give students skills to be successful in farming regardless of prior experience.

Polifka says precision ag is about collecting, storing, and analyzing data to make farming decisions. Data comes from farm machinery, remote sensors, soil sensors, weather monitors, GIS, and other sources. This data can help with fertilizer and crop protection applications, water use, and other operating decisions to reduce input costs and maximize production. Precision ag technology can also be used anywhere and thus further helps students account for regional climatic differences when needed.

The Precision Ag program is advised and guided by a 13-member board.

Polifka says precision ag expertise is also a pathway for first generation farmers and those who want to enter the agriculture workforce. There are opportunities to work with aging farmers who desire assistance with data analysis and technology. He also notes technology is not out of reach for any type of farmer. There are multiple types of technology that can be fitted with older or newer equipment.

Students must complete a capstone project in the program where they make decisions from collected data and must be able to justify their decisions. Polifka says the decision process is key as there are still different options from which to choose based on any data set. “If you’d ask 10 different agronomists, you’d get 10 different answers.”

The college operates a water technology farm north of Goodland to provide students with real-world experience. The farm has 225 farmable acres where they grow corn, sorghum, and soybeans. One section includes subsurface drip irrigation which is very efficient for water use but has many other issues.

Polifka says that while they are doing research and education on the farm, they avoid stepping into any of the work of the land grant universities and are not doing replicated trials or anything of that nature.

KARL associates were invited to tour the shop area, view various types of equipment including drones, and see a small greenhouse space with a controlled environment cover crop trial. For the drones, the instructors are certified to fly. Certification is also recommended but not required for students.

Panel discussion 1 –

Area farmers: Mike Cochran (who also runs an auction service), Korey Schulte, John Windle, and Adam Dwell.

The panel described the biggest challenges of farming in the Goodland area as precipitation and irrigation issues, supply chain issues, labor, and increasing input costs. They talked about diversifying to adapt, for example if fertilizer costs go up, farmers look at ways to reduce use.

One of the panelists notes that drug use in the rural areas is an under-addressed issue and affects labor availability.

There was also discussion about the difference between working for a farmer and learning how to be a farmer. Sometimes younger workers are interested in agriculture because they hope to farm on their own, while older farmers may only be interested in having employees and are not considering succession planning. Farmers who are willing to mentor young people are hard to find.

Session 2 –

Shannon Kenyon was the next presenter. Kenyon manages the Groundwater Management District and spoke on the hydrology of the aquifer. She discussed the geological formations of the Ogallala and High Plains Aquifers and showed maps from the Kansas Geological Survey.

Kenyon gave an overview of water rights, their long history, and their importance in the region. The Ogallala is overappropriated and declining, making water use restrictions eminent without other change. Groundwater Management Districts (GMDs), which started in 1972, are an opportunity for local control and management. Local Enhanced Management Areas (LEMAs) were added in 2012 to offer further opportunities to help with water conservation and must be managed through a GMD.

Kenyon says local economies are dependent on the water supply. If the aquifer is depleted, farmers will be reduced to dryland farming which significantly reduces production.

Conservation is highly dependent on agriculture because more than 98 percent of water use in the GMD is from agricultural irrigation. One percent of water use is for stock water and less than 1 percent is municipal water use. Community-driven water conservation programs will not significantly affect the aquifer or set off agricultural use.

One of the major goals of the GMD is to open doors of communication between farmers and get them to share ideas, methods, etc. Getting farmers (especially the ones who need the information the most) to meetings, field days, and other events can be a challenge.

Panel discussion 2 –

Jeff Deeds, Mitchell Baalman, Brett Oelke, Scott Foote, and Brent Rogers

Deeds says that continued awareness of water issues is critical and panelists discussed the idea that water conservation is about the generations to come. This makes it harder for some people to see the benefit.

The LEMA gives some power back to the local producers for decision making in water use.

Panelists discussed how technology has made water conservation easier and efficient. In some cases the LEMA was the extra encouragement some farmers needed to use technology they could have been using previously. They have also started a foundation to help with cost share for technology and the Department of Conservation has helped support it.

While some farmers have been resistant to making changes, others have found their farms to be more profitable after implementing technology because they made other changes to improve efficiency.

The LEMA has been more successful than hoped.

The panel concluded with a short discussion about the positive intent and nature of the LEMA and reminds us of the saying “A problem without a solution is just a complaint.”

Conclusion

The tour wrapped up with a discussion of takeaways over lunch. Many class members were impressed by the positivity and adaptability displayed by panelists and speakers over the course of the sessions. There is a strong shared interest in looking to the future and investment in community vitality. Farmers are embracing technology and making changes. Seeing KARL Fellows come to the events and help with sessions is also inspiring.

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