* There are some exciting opportunities available for Kansas Farm Bureau members to get involved in their communities and strengthen their voice for agriculture. Mike and Ashley Beying join the Inside Ag podcast to share their experience in the Communications, Media and Spokesperson Training. This training is designed to develop the skills to craft key messages within agriculture. Learn more about CMS training by visiting Communications, Media and Spokesperson Training (kfb.org) https://www.kfb.org/Get-Involved/Training/Communications-Media-and-Spokesperson-Training Next, Brenden Wirth discusses Campaign School. This KFB program helps potential political candidates develop a solid foundation for campaign management. Learn more about Campaign School by visiting KFB's Campaign School and Mini Sessions https://www.kfb.org/Article/Campaign-School
* In celebration of National Ag Day, Mark Nelson joins the Inside Ag podcast to discuss the recently released 2022 Census of Agriculture. He shares his thoughts on the transitioning of the total number of farms and farmland, the peaks of farm-related income and Kansas Farm Bureau's effort to continue supporting rural communities. You can find the 2022 U.S. Census of Agriculture at List of Reports and Publications | 2022 Census of Agriculture | USDA/NASS https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/index.php.
* Past Kansas Farm Bureau intern Shelby Varner joins the Inside Ag podcast to reminisce on her experience at KFB. She shares her daily responsibilities, reflects on the impact of the internship on her career and appreciates the culture amongst the staff. Learn more about the internship opportunities and apply by visiting Career Opportunities (kfb.org) https://www.kfb.org/About/Careers.
* Erin Petersilie joins the Inside Ag podcast to discuss the new Kansas Farm Bureau member benefit, TogetherAll. This program creates a community of agriculture producers to help manage stress and combat mental health issues within the industry. Learn more about TogetherAll and find helpful information at Rural Minds Matter (kfb.org) https://www.kfb.org/Article/Mental-Health-Resources
* The Caldwell Market of Farms creates a local food system in the community by providing a market for farmers and ranchers. Jill Keuhny, local contact person, and Rick McNary, director of Shop Kansas Farms, join the Inside Ag podcast to give an inside look at the upcoming event and their efforts to support a local ecosystem. Visit the Caldwell Market of Farms on March 9, 2024, at the Caldwell Community Building. For more information on the Caldwell Market of Farms, visit Caldwell Market of Farms | Shop Kansas Farms | Brought to you by Kansas Farm Bureau https://shopkansasfarms.com/caldwell-market-of-farms
* Brad Neihues and Micheal Speer join Inside Ag to talk about their recent involvement in Kansas Farm Bureau. Brad shares his experience as a voting delegate at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention, where he proposed a change to a bill. Micheal was the 2024 chairman of the Young Farmers & Ranchers conference, and he reflects on the work put into this event. They both share fond memories of their years of involvement in the organization and encourage others to do the same.
* Many farms across Kansas have rich histories. Kansas Farm Bureau celebrates those years of hard work through the Century Farm program. Meghan Mueseler and Debbie Hargrave join the episode to share more about the recognition. Mueseler was a 2023 recipient, and she shared her family's unique history. Hargrave brings the program to life at KFB and reflects on the history of Kansas farms. Learn more about the Century Farms program: Do you live on a Century Farm? (kfb.org) https://www.kfb.org/Get-Involved/Contests-Recognition/Century-Farm-Program
* Robin Reid joins the podcast to give details about the upcoming Women Managing the Farm Conference. She highlights the inspiring keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions and unique networking opportunities for this year's conference. The Women Managing the Farm Conference is February 14-16. Learn more: Women Managing the Farm https://womenmanagingthefarm.com/
* Kansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam and KFB Director of Political Affairs Brenden Wirth join Inside Ag to discuss the Wildfire Task Force. In 2022, Kansas Governor Keyyly appointed them to the task force with the mission of understanding and controlling wildfires across the state. In this episode, they break down priorities within the proposal and discuss how it will impact those in fire-prone areas. Learn more about the task force: Wildfire Task Force (ks.gov) https://agriculture.ks.gov/about-kda/wildfire-task-force
* For more information or to register for the online class, visit https://agmanager.info/events/finances-and-farm-online-class.
* Learn more about KFB's YF&R Leaders Conference at www.kfb.org/yfr http://www.kfb.org/yfr
* On this episode of Inside Ag From Kansas Farm Bureau, Ryan Flickner and Claudia Hissong talk about new policy efforts from annual meeting and how those efforts will be approached heading into the 2024 legislative sessions. They also cover what can be expected on the state and federal levels and how members can be involved in these policy efforts.
* Joe Newland joins Inside Ag to reflect on his first year as Kansas Farm Bureau President. He talks about the success of annual meeting and how he was motivated by members networking. He spends time reminiscing on the past year and the unique ways he has served the organization. Learn more about President Newland’s service, history in the organization and family farm on this episode of Inside Ag!
* Glenn Brunkow was elected vice president at the 2023 Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. He joins the podcast to share his journey through KFB and how he plans to serve the organization.
* Laura Haffner, farmer and rancher from Sheridan County, joins Inside Ag to discuss her experience as a PAL member through the American Farm Bureau. She spent time fine-tuning her communication abilities with media groups and policymakers to become a more versed agricultural producer. The capstone of her involvement was a trip to Chile to practice and perfect the developed skills. Learn more about the PAL program https://www.fb.org/initiative/pal-partners-in-advocacy-leadership.
* Erin Petersilie, Assistant Director of KFB Health Plans, joins Inside Ag to discuss health plans and medicare supplements offered through Kansas Farm Bureau. Learn more about KFB Health Plan options by visiting kfbhealthplans.com http://kfbhealthplans.com
* Shanda Mattix and Kyler Landvardt join the podcast to share their experience in the Casten Fellows Program and reflect on their time in Africa.
* For more on the food drive, visit: https://www.kfb.org/Article/End-Hunger-Food-Drive
* Learn more about creating your own local food community at https://shopkansasfarms.com/build-a-local-food-community.
* Becot and Inwood are rural sociologists studying childcare and farm safety. They can be reached at becot.florence@marshfieldresearch.org and inwood.2@osu.edu, respectively.
* Reach out to Brooke at brooke.boulware@zoetis.com or find her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bsquaredj/ http://www.instagram.com/bsquaredj/.
* Contact Kayla on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kaylajosefiak/ or via email at hello@kaylajosefiak.com.
* Websites mentioned in this episode include agkansitions.org http://agkansitions.org, KansasAgStress.org http://KansasAgStress.org and agmanager.info http://agmanager.info. Ashlee can be reached at ashleecw@ksu.edu or by phone at 785-532-4526.
Inside Ag will have a trio of guest hosts this summer to provide perspectives across the state.
* Shannon Martin, Kansas Farm Bureau's assistant director for the Foundation and Ag Education, discusses KFB's End Hunger Project. She reviews how the project supports reducing hunger in Kansas.
* Renata Goossen, owner of Renata's Garden, discusses her horticulture business and what it provides to communities.
* Robin Reid, K-State Extension farm economist, discusses land value and cash rent trends. She also reviews who owns land in Kansas.