Friends,
Saturday was National Farmers Day, a day with deep roots where we take time to recognize and thank farmers for their hard work and contribution to the economy.
Agriculture is the largest economic driver in Kansas, accounting for 44.5% of the state’s total economy. The agriculture sector employs 13% of Kansas’ workforce through direct and indirect careers.
Kansas is the nation’s 7th largest agricultural exporting state, shipping $4.8 billion in domestic agricultural exports abroad in 2017. Agriculture in Kansas is not just about growing crops and raising animals, it includes renewable energy production, food processing, research and education, agribusiness and more. I am proud to represent the farmers of Kansas that provide the food, fiber, and fuel that sustain our great nation.
So make sure you thank a farmer?
Dairy Margin Coverage Program
Enrollment for the 2020 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program has been opened by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. The DMC was authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and is a program designed to help producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities.
The DMC program offers reasonably priced protection to dairy producers when the margin between the all-milk price and the average feed cost falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. So far in 2019 dairy farmers have earned more than $300 million from the program.
Enrollment is open until December 13, 2019. If you want more information on the program Click Here. You can also visit the USDA’s DMC program homepage Here.
Supporting Rural Transportation
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao announced the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative, with a goal of dedicating discretionary U.S. DOT resources to improving the safety and usability of the nation’s rural infrastructure.
The roads in Kansas and other rural states are vital to the movement of goods and services across this country. But many of the rural transportation systems – roads, bridges, and highway-rail crossings – lack the investment necessary to keep them safe and usable.
U.S. DOT will assist rural stakeholders in better understanding and utilizing the grants and funding programs to identify critical rural transportation concerns and coordinate efforts among DOT’s different modal administrations. To learn now about the ROUTES initiative, Click Here.
Disaster Aid Coming to Kansas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development recently announced $150 million in additional funding to help communities hardest hit by adverse weather and natural disasters.
The counties included in the 2019 FEMA disaster declaration, highlighted in the graphic, can apply for funds through the Community Facilities Program to make improvements to buildings, infrastructure, and public facilities using USDA grant dollars.
The Community Facilities program can help rural communities in their recovery efforts by ensuring they have the facilities and infrastructure to support their residents and businesses.
Interested communities are encouraged to contact a USDA Rural Development Community Programs Specialist in Kansas. A list of specialists in Kansas can be found Here.
Combating School Violence
Morris County Public Schools has been awarded a grant of $452,913 by the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office. Recipients were given the grants under the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) which granted $32.5 million dollars across 103 grantees.
The SVPP program provides funding directly to states and units of local government to be used to improve security at schools and on school grounds. Money can be used in a variety of methods, from coordination and training with local law enforcement to the placement of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures. Thank you to the COPS office for their investment in the safety of the next generation of Americans.
USDA Roundtable
USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears and Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) Administrator Carmen Rottenberg traveled to Kansas last week. They meet with small protein production facility managers and provide plant operators an opportunity to hear updates from FSIS leadership as well as ask questions about proposed changes and labeling requirements.
Under USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue’s leadership, the agency has placed a large emphasis on customer service and removing unnecessary regulations. Events like this week’s roundtable are part of the reason America has the safest and most affordable food supply in the world.
Following the roundtable, Deputy Under Secretary Dr. Brashears traveled to Manhattan to meet with veterinary medicine students at Kansas State University to discuss career opportunities within USDA.
National Co-Op Month
October is National Co-Op Month. Kansas is home to more than 525 co-op locations serving 600,000 members and generating millions of dollars for local economies.
These member-owned and member-driven organizations are an important part of the Kansas way of life, providing everything from farm credit to electric power.
For more than 100 years, these organizations have been serving communities across the district, and will continue to be vital to Kansas’ growth and success.
National 4-H Week
Last week was the Inspire Kids to Do National 4-H Week. From October 6th through the 12th counties all across the country have been celebrating everything 4-H and showcasing the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people. The Inspire Kids to Do theme was chosen to highlight how 4-H encourages kids to take part in hands-on learning experiences in areas such as health, science, agriculture and civic engagement.
During my time in Congress I have had the opportunity to meet with many 4-H groups and am continually impressed with the leadership and drive that I see in these young Kansans. 4-H equips our youth with the skills they need to reach their full potential and I am proud to celebrate 4-H Week with them.
Rural and Independent Innovators Conference
The Kansas Small Business Development Center will be hosting one of their Rural & Independent Innovators Conferences (RIIC) at Fort Hays University on October 15th. These conferences are modeled around supporting Kansan entrepreneurs and innovators with information and education, with the goal of fostering connections and business opportunities.
Executive Director of Grow Hays, Doug Williams, will be the keynote speaker at this upcoming RIIC and will be speaking on “Growth Through Innovation.” There will also be presentations on business growth, market access, and raising capital. This is a great opportunity to network and learn, and I hope many of you have a chance to attend. Additional information, along with registration details, can be found on their website Here.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.