According to an Associated Press article that was appeared in an issue of
USA Today last week, more folks are gaining a college degree before returning to the farm. USDA's Economic Research Service estimates the number of farm operators completing four-year degrees or higher rose from 15.2% in 1991 to 20.4% in 2001 — the most recent year for complete figures. The percentage of farmers with some college education rose from 20.6% in 1991 to 24.2% in 2001...
- Even if you're actively farming, you still have opportunities to learn in a classroom. K-State's recently completed Management Analysis and Strategic Thinking classes graduated 50 Kansas farmers and ranchers from a series of intense, distance learning management courses...
- Kansas Congressman Jerry Moran and Senator Pat Roberts are co-founders of a new Congressional Grains Caucus, a bi-partisan, bicameral coalition of national legislators working on behalf of grain producers and the domestic grains industry...
- Congressman Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., and Moran will be co-chairmen in the House of Representatives and Senator Roberts and Max Baucus, D-Mont., will be co-chairmen in the Senate...
The working group will focus on reviewing market and technical concerns, developing strategies to address those concerns, and supporting initiatives that will help the grain industry to improve market access. The caucus will also work to expand export markets...
- John Thaemert, secretary of the National Association of Wheat Growers and a farmer near Sylvan Grove, told me earlier this year that establishment of this Caucus was an important agenda item for NAWG this year...
- The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission is backing the Moroccan Free Trade Agreement, which reduces or eliminates tariffs on U.S. grains. Sorghum, KSGC chairman Jeff Casten believes, is a perfect feed for Morocco's expanding poultry industry...
- A reminder that Governor Sebelius and Ag Secretary Polansky will celebrate AG Day at the Statehouse in Topeka March 25. Several groups will have informational booths on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Governor Sebelius also will honor the Kansas Foundation for Ag in the Classroom art winners that day...
- We celebrated the achievements of the 2003 Class of Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers at a banquet in Manhattan last week...
- A Kansas Farmer salute goes to class members Lois and Sid Nattier, Newton; Russ and Pat Winsor, Perry; Betty and Loyd Ratts, St. John; Jack and Pat Painter, Meade; Gerald and Linda Franklin, Goodland and Diane and Jerry McReynolds, Woodston.