I spent all day at the AgriNxt Conference in Wichita hearing multiple speakers address issues that impact the future of agriculture in Kansas and America. There are a bunch of things to think about, but among the top ones are a presentation from Keith Miller, president of the U.S. Meat Federation talking about challenges to gaining access for export markets, Joseph Glauber, Chief Economist with USDA, talking about the economic outlook for ag and a whole bunch of people talking about…

Continue Reading

In the middle of February, the movement to "buy local" or "know your farmer" is a theoretical notion because there isn't any fresh produce in Kansas. If you want sweet corn or tomatoes or green beans, they aren't going to be local. But in the middle of July -- ah, that is a different story. I made a wrong turn today on my way to an interview and somehow found myself turning around in a store parking lot, where there just happened to be a sweet corn stand. I was already tempted but…

Continue Reading

As the temperature pushes into the 80s at the 3i Show in Great Bend, the forecasters are saying the severe weather will most likely develop to the north of us. Nevertheless, spectators are keeping an eye on the pileups of fluffy white clouds and there's plenty of conversation about the weather. "Where is the shelter on the grounds, just in case?" one visitor asked a vendor. "National Guard Armory, ma'am," the vendor replied. "And we've been in it before at this show." For Gene…

Continue Reading

Hold on to your hat is the order of the morning at the very, very windy 3i Show in Great Bend. Vendors with outdoor spaces were prepared for 40-mph wind gusts – after all, this is Kansas in the springtime. Blowable items were quickly tucked under crescent wrenches and boxes and visitors for the most part were kind enough to pick up, look and put the anchors back down. Cars were pouring into the parking lots by the 9 a.m. opening of the show and foot traffic has been steady if a bit slower…

Continue Reading