Agriculture Resources

Agriculture Assistance Programs

Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment (KDHE) – Watershed Management Section

The KDHE – Watershed Management Section has made available A Producer’s Guide and Directory to Agricultural Conservation Assistance Programs in Kansas (2022). It is a directory that details financial and technical assistance available to producers and landowners interested in implementing conservation practices on their property. While available as a PDF for download, it is easiest to use online.

Agriculture and Land Management Associations

Many agricultural, conservation, and land management associations can provide valuable resources and support. Below is a comprehensive list of organizations and contacts to help you navigate your rural lifestyle.

Douglas County Conservation District

  • Phone: 785-843-4260 ext. 6500
  • Address: 4920 Bob Billings Parkway, Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66049
  • Website: www.douglasccd.com

The Douglas County Conservation District promotes responsible land use and conservation practices. They offer technical assistance, cost-share programs, drill rental, seed sales, and educational resources on soil conservation, water quality, wildlife habitat enhancement, and urban farming.

The District's comphrehensive tool is designed to help small acreage landowners evaluate the condition of their property and idnetify methods for managing and enhancing land at https://www.douglasccd.com/steps-for-small-acreage.html

Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services (KAMS)

Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services provides Kansas landowners and producers with legal, financial, transition/succession planning, and mediation services.

Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS)
Upper Wakarusa WRAPS - Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies

KAWS works to conserve and restore wetlands, streams, and riparian areas in Kansas. They provide technical assistance, grant opportunities, and educational resources to landowners interested in enhancing water resources and wildlife habitat. Upper Wakarusa WRAPS offers financial and technical consultations
on clean water for landowners, farmers, and ranchers. This includes funding for livestock watering systems, livestock feeding pads, rotational grazing infrastructure, exclusion fencing, permanent vegetation establishment, cover crop plantings, buffer plantings, and other agricultural projects related to watershed health.

Kansas Black Farmers Association

  • Phone: 785-839-KBFA (5232)
  • Address: 200 Washington St. Nicodemus, KS 67625
  • Website: kbfa.org

The mission of the Kansas Black Farmers Association is to preserve the Kansas minority farmer legacy through education, promotion of the agricultural lifestyle, and collective niche product development.

Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops (KCSAAC)

  • Phone: 913-856-2335, ext. 102
  • Address: 35230 W 135th Street, K-State Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center Olathe, KS 66061
  • Website: kcsaac.engg.ksu.edu

The Center works with state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, environmental groups, and producer organizations to assist family farmers and ranchers in boosting farm profitability, protecting natural resources, and enhancing rural communities.

Kansas Farm Management Association (KFMA)

  • Phone: 785-532-6702
  • Address: Kansas State University, Department of Agricultural Economics, 342 Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • Website: www.agmanager.info/kfma

KFMA economists work cooperatively with farm families to provide members with production and financial management information for decision-making. The primary goal of the KFMA program is to provide each member with information to help make farm and family decisions.

Kansas Farmers Union

The Kansas Farmers Union advocates for family farms, rural communities, and sustainable agriculture practices. They offer farmers and rural residents educational programs, policy advocacy, and networking opportunities

Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition

  • Phone: 913-837-5945
  • Address: 1382w3 W 107th St., Lenexa, KS 66215
  • Website: www.kglc.org

The Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition promotes sustainable grazing management practices that benefit livestock producers and natural resources. They offer workshops, demonstrations, and resources on rotational grazing, pasture management, and soil health improvement.

Kansas Land Trust

  • Phone: 785-749-3297
  • Address: PO Box 508, Lawrence, KS 66044
  • Website: www.klt.org

The Kansas Land Trust protects and preserves lands of ecological, agricultural, scenic, historic, or recreational significance in Kansas. Their mission is to preserve both agricultural and natural landscapes across the state of Kansas.

Kansas Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),
Farm Service Agency (FSA)

  • Phone: 785-843-4260 ext. 3 for NRCS, ext. 2 for FSA
  • Address: 4920 Bob Billings Pkwy, Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66049
  • Website: www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov

The NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers to implement conservation practices that improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat. They provide conservation planning services and administer various conservation programs. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for administering and implementing various federal farm programs and policies.

Kansas Rural Center

The Kansas Rural Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture and rural communities. They provide educational resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities for farmers, landowners, and rural residents.

Kansas Soil Health Alliance

The Kansas Soil Health Alliance is a farmer and rancher-led organization that provides practical information, resources, and events on soil improvement and health that can be used on farms and ranches.

Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association (KSCGA)

Email: info@kscga.org

Website: www.kscga.org

The KSCGA works to advance specialty crops and specialty crop growers, focusing on expanding and supporting a network of growers equipped with the resources, education, and mentoring necessary to increase production, visibility, market reach, and profitability.

K-State Extension - Douglas County

The Douglas County Extension Office provides research-based information and educational programs on agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources. They offer workshops, publications, and consultations for landowners.

Kansas State University Office of Farm and Ranch Transition

Matching beginning farmers and ranchers with landowners looking for the next generation. One-on-one help with starting the succession planning process, retirement, and transferring management and assets.

Irrigation Wells

K-State Produce Safety

K-State offers free microbial water testing to all fruit and vegetable growers in KS as long as funding continues.

K-State Soil Testing Laboratory

The most common water analysis from producers is irrigation water quality, which includes both electrical conductivity (E.C.) and sodium (Na) and routinely analyzes for nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N), sulfur (S), and chloride (Cl). Other tests are available upon request.

Livestock Watering

Douglas County Conservation District

  • Phone: 785-843-4260 ext. 6500
  • Address: 4920 Bob Billings Parkway, Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66049
  • Website: www.douglasccd.com

The Douglas County Conservation District offers technical assistance and cost- share programs for livestock watering facilities.

K-State Extension - Douglas County

Contact the Douglas County Extension Office to be put in touch with the NE Kansas Watershed Specialist. K-State watershed specialists actively partner with producers, municipalities, and other important water users to identify and implement science-based solutions to improve water quality and quantity.

Upper Wakarusa WRAPS - Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies

KAWS works to conserve and restore wetlands, streams, and riparian areas in Kansas. They provide technical assistance, grant opportunities, and educational resources to landowners interested in enhancing water resources and wildlife habitat. Upper Wakarusa WRAPS offers financial and technical consultations on clean water for landowners, farmers, and ranchers. This includes funding for livestock watering systems, livestock feeding pads, rotational grazing infrastructure, exclusion fencing, permanent vegetation establishment, cover crop plantings, buffer plantings, and other agricultural projects related to watershed health.

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