Farmers and ranchers today are faced with challenges the previous generation never encountered, from epic drought to ever-rising input costs to volatile domestic and foreign market prices. With each new Farm Bill more confusing than the last, it makes decision-making fraught with too many choices and not enough answers.

To aid area farmers and ranchers with this dilemma, Kansas State Research and Extension’s Golden Prairie District, the Kansas Livestock Association, and various local sponsors are putting together an educational evening designed to help them with this task.

Set for 6 p.m. April 25 at Trego County Community High School, the event will feature Dr. Brad Lubben, assistant professor and Extension policy specialist from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, who will speak on “Changing Farm Policies for Changing Times.” Lubben’s presentation is about what the new Farm Bill will mean to family farmers and ranchers.

Another feature of the evening will be a presentation by Anne Burkholder, manager of Will Feed Inc., of Cozad, Neb., and writer of the popular blog, “FeedYardFoodie.” Burkholder is spokeswoman for animal agriculture in the 21st century and was named the 2009 Beef Quality Assurance Producer of the Year and the 2012 Certified Angus Beef Feedyard of the Year Award Winner. She speaks on the importance of being a positive role model for the non-agricultural population and agriculture’s role in the future.

Representatives from the Kansas Livestock Association will be on hand to provide an update on legislative issues in Topeka and Washington. There also will be a resource fair provided by corporate sponsors.

A steak dinner is included in the registration fee of $20 per single and $30 per couple. Registration is due to the Golden Prairie Extension District-WaKeeney Office at (785) 743-6361 by Thursday.