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11 Oct

Posted at 14:59h in Industry News
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On Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) sent a letter to the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture (KDA) requesting, in lieu of KDA's Division of Water Resources issuing administration orders at this time for 2024, the state formulate a working group to develop a solution involving the federal government, groundwater management districts and other stakeholders to develop options to begin implementation in January 2025.  Kansas United States Senator Jerry Moran and Governor Laura Kelly have been in frequent communication with USFWS on the negative impacts executing...

01 Sep

Posted at 07:28h in Industry News, Regulatory
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On August 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. The agencies claim this action provides clarity, while moving forward with infrastructure projects, economic opportunities, and agricultural activities. “While I am disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision in the Sackett case, EPA and Army have an obligation to apply this decision alongside our state co-regulators, Tribes, and partners," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We’ve...

07 Aug

Posted at 07:57h in Industry News
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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is hosting Local Consult events across Kansas throughout the month of October. KDOT has announced the opportunity to discuss issues/needs related to freight and rail. Local Consult is KDOT’s public engagement process for the IKE program. It takes place every two years to get Kansans’ input on a list of transportation projects for each region. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen local partnerships, to better understand which KDOT programs matter most to communities, and to get feedback on how the agency can improve program and project delivery. Dedicated conversation will enable stakeholders the opportunity...

04 Aug

Posted at 06:48h in Industry News
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Stephan M. Hoesli, 70, Delphos, died Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at his home. Hoesli was an active member of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association for many years supporting the Kansas Agri Business Expo and scholarship program. Memorial services will be at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, August 5 at the Delphos Auditorium with burial following in the Delphos Cemetery. If you have a vintage car to drive in the procession, please do so. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ottawa County Fair and may be left in care of Wilson Family...

01 Aug

Posted at 07:10h in Advocacy
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In the 2023 legislative session, Kansas Grain and Feed Association lobbied in support of passage of HB 2292 last year which Governor Kelly signed into law. The bill creates a tax credit for certain employers who create apprenticeship programs. The bill also creates new grant programs that support apprenticeships. This week, the National Governors Association selected Kansas to join its best practices/policy academy to advance youth apprenticeship programs. The program is provided through the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship. According to Gov. Laura Kelly, the academy will enable Kansas to develop a strategy to expand apprenticeship opportunities to youths 16...

29 Jun

Posted at 07:13h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has proposed an agency regulation K.A.R. 36-43-1 that would mandate crew size for railroad operations in the state. A crew size mandate lacks a safety justification, undermines decades of meaningful collective bargaining, and jeopardizes the state’s ability to compete in a rapidly changing transportation space.  Kansas is the only state working to mandate crew size through state agency regulation. For these reasons, KGFA stands opposed. The Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations has scheduled a hearing on the proposed regulation at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Room 582-N...

27 Jun

Posted at 08:35h in Industry News
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The Kansas Department of Agriculture has been awarded a $6.46 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program. The purpose of the RFSI program is to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for Kansas producers. Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products excluding meat and poultry. This program...

22 May

Posted at 06:20h in Advocacy
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The final day of the 2023 Kansas legislative session occurred on April 28, when the legislature passed, and sent to Governor Laura Kelly, various bills including a large, multi-provision tax bill, and the constitutionally required K-12 education budget bill. The final sine die adjournment left no remaining opportunity for the legislature to override any veto of these bills. Upon receiving the bills, Governor Kelly had 10 days to either sign, veto, or allow them to become law without her signature. On the final day to consider the large tax bill, the governor vetoed it, citing a controversial provision that...

01 May

Posted at 12:10h in Advocacy
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The 2023 Kansas legislature’s veto session began on Wednesday, April 26. Over proceeding three days, lawmakers took up a few bills for final action, passed an omnibus budget bill for the remainder of fiscal year ’23 and fiscal year ’24, and attempted to override about nineteen bills previously vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly. Around 10:30 p.m., on Friday, April 28 the 2023 edition of the Kansas Legislature formally adjourned sine die (final day). Barring any veto by the Governor Kelly of either the omnibus budget bill or the K-12 education budget bill - which would require the...

28 Apr

Posted at 08:45h in Industry News
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To assist in combatting the rising cost of higher education, Kansas Grain and Feed Association’s (KGFA) scholarship program awarded nearly $30,000 in total to 19 of the state’s graduating high school seniors for the 2023-24 academic year.  The scholarship committee, comprised of KGFA’s membership, received more than 300 applications and granted the 19 awards based on merit and equitable geographic locations throughout the state. “Our board of directors and scholarship committee understand the importance of introducing the next generation to our industry and association as early as possible,” KGFA’s president and CEO Ron Seeber said. “We are proud...

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