While the Kansas legislature has discussed several worker and teacher anti-bargaining bills this session, how have Kansas farmers fared with bargaining this session?

“Is collective bargaining good for Kansans?” is the subject of a Saturday afternoon event starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Salina Public Library, Prescott Room, organized by the Salina Area Workers Coalition.

Farm leaders making presentations will include Donn Teske, Onaga, Kansas, president of the Kansas Farmers Union. Teske will give an overview of current legislation, including corporate farming laws, and he will explain current programs the Kansas Farmers Union offers.

Also, Oren Holle, Marysville, Kansas, President of Organic Farmers Relationship Marketing (OFARM), a multistate group marketing and bargaining association will tell his group’s story about farmer bargaining with organic crops and livestock.
In addition, Roger Schneider, Salina, local marketing representative for the Kansas Organic Producers Association (KOPA) will also explain how KOPA uses bargaining for their members.

The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session. The general public is invited. For more information, call Joan Ratzlaff at 825-0781 or Greg Stephens at 819-6887.