By Blake Jackson
More than 300 farmers, ranchers, educators, business leaders, and policymakers from across Kansas gathered on August 14 for the 10th annual Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth.
The event marked a decade of collaboration, providing a forum to shape the future of Kansas agriculture through open discussion, networking, and strategic planning.
“The partnerships throughout all sectors of agriculture and across all corners of the state are at the heart of the success we have seen over the last decade,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam.
“I appreciate the contributions of all those who spent the day with us as we focused on the issues that will be key to agricultural growth in the future, especially the needs that exist for research and value-added opportunities.”
Governor Laura Kelly opened the summit by emphasizing agriculture’s role in the state’s prosperity. “The health of our agricultural sector is crucially important to the health of our economy as a whole,” she said.
“That’s why here in Kansas, we develop and update comprehensive strategies to implement emergency response preparedness and resilience, promote agricultural research, ensure Kansas retains sufficient water resources, and support business and workforce development.”
This year’s keynote speaker was Tanner Ehmke, lead economist for grains and oilseeds at CoBank, and a Kansas native and Kansas State University graduate. Ehmke highlighted the economic outlook for agriculture, discussing challenges such as labor shortages, demographic shifts, and trade policy uncertainties.
Attendees also heard from Marshall Stewart, Executive Vice President for External Engagement and Chief of Staff at Kansas State University, who shared updates on the university’s ag innovation initiative.
Jackie McClaskey, President and CEO of the American Royal, also provided an update on progress with the new American Royal project.
For details on the 2025 Kansas Ag Growth Summit and access to past summit resources, visit www.agriculture.ks.gov/GrowAg.
Photo Credit: kansas-department-of-agriculture
Categories: Kansas, Government & Policy