KDWPT

TOPEKA–According to research done for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), travel and tourism in the Sunflower State continued a six-year growth trend with solid gains during calendar year 2015. Visitation moved upward to 35.4 million, a gain of 900,000 over 2014 and equivalent to everyone from Texas, Nebraska and Missouri visiting Kansas once a year.

Traveler spending increased to $6.5 billion in 2015, about what all Americans spent on food for July 4th and $261 million more than 2014. Lodging expenditures, food and beverage sales and retail spending showed the strongest growths. The figures are based on a report by Tourism Economics, a company that specializes in analyzing and reporting on economic impacts of tourism.

“The variety of attractions and experiences in our state increasingly have become destinations for non-residents and visitors from many foreign countries,” said Linda Craghead, KDWPT Assistant Secretary for Parks and Tourism. “Not only that, Kansans themselves are awakening to our amazing opportunities to travel and enjoy the many things the great Sunflower State has to offer. The benefits to our economy are enormous. If our tourism industry were a single business, it would rank #402 on the Fortune 500 list.”

When indirect and induced impacts are included, Kansas travelers in 2015 generated $10.4 billion in total business sales. The growth of travel spending has averaged 5.5% per year since 2009, a total increase of $1.8 billion. Kansas travelers directly and indirectly sustained 94,126 jobs in 2015, with a combined income of $2.9 billion.

The benefits of tourism extend to state and local governments, as well. Tourism-supported direct and indirect tax revenues in 2015 surpassed $1 billion and included $588 million in state and local governmental revenues. Of the $272 million in state revenues, $186 million accrued from sales tax collections. Local governments received $316 million in tax receipts from travel-generated activity. If the state and local tax revenues from visitor activity were absent, each Kansas household would need to pay $525 to replace those revenues.

Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, conducted an economic impact study of tourism in Kansas using the most current data from 2014.

 

KDC

TOPEKA–Since 2012, more than 50 Kansas small businesses have achieved $17.2 million in export sales through STEP grant programs.

The Kansas Department of Commerce is currently accepting STEP grant applications from small businesses to assist them in starting or growing their exports. The Commerce programs, which are being funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), will help non-exporters begin exporting for the first time or existing exporters expand their export levels.

“Exporting can be a key to success for many small businesses,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave. “These STEP grants, through the SBA, allow the Department of Commerce to assist small businesses across the state with starting, maintaining and growing their exports, in an effort to achieve their maximum potential, both as a national or global exporter and as a small business in Kansas.”

“Kansas has a proud and rich tradition in agriculture and understands that the international market is the key to growth of the industry,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey. “The Kansas agriculture industry is always ready to become highly engaged in export markets. This grant will allow us to explore new markets for Kansas agricultural products.”

Programs offered through the STEP Grant include:
· Export seminars and training courses
· Opportunities for participation in foreign trade shows and missions
· Support for entering new markets

For the current grant year, SBA has awarded Kansas $383,000 in STEP funding. Commerce is administering the grant in tandem with the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Businesses that wish to apply for support or are interested in learning more should visit KansasCommerce.com/STEP.

KDA

MANHATTAN– A lack of a skilled agricultural workforce is a top inhibitor of growth and expansion for many Kansas agriculture businesses. To help support growth in agriculture, the Kansas Department of Agriculture seeks to help the industry better understand the workforce needs among agricultural employers in the state. In an effort to link the supply of human capital to the needs of Kansas agribusiness enterprises, KDA conducted the first Kansas Agriculture Workforce Needs Assessment Survey in 2016, assisted by the Agricultural Land Use Survey Center at Kansas State University.

The survey was constructed to gather information about the agriculture industry’s current and future workforce needs and the types of skills required to support economic growth in the state. A total of 250 responses from farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses were received from across the state and region, representing almost 12,000 employees. In total, the agriculture, food and food processing sectors employ more than 234,000 Kansans, or 12.4 percent of the Kansas workforce.

“We are committed to growing agriculture in Kansas, and that depends on a reliable and thriving workforce,” said Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey. “We know that means developing and recruiting skilled, talented workers to fill critical roles across the Kansas agriculture industry.”

The survey indicated that a number of vacancies exist in the agricultural industry, including a significant number which are considered entry-level positions, requiring no advanced degree (e.g. carpenter, elevator worker). Over half of the current job openings are in the fields of agriculture mechanics, agriculture business and animal science. Employers indicated that basic skills such as written communication and applied mathematics are lacking in applicants, along with “soft” skills such as motivation, time management and dependability and “hard” skills such as critical/analytical thinking and basic communication/writing.

The findings will be used along with action items developed at the Kansas Summit on Agricultural Growth in August to help direct KDA’s vision in serving the farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses of Kansas. By working with secondary schools and postsecondary educational institutions, the agriculture industry can develop beneficial partnerships that will help schools teach the skills and content needed by employers and will help the industry gain access to trained applicants.

To view the survey reports go to: agriculture.ks.gov/workforce. For more information, please contact Russell Plaschka, KDA workforce development specialist, at (785) 564-7466 or [email protected].

KDA

MANHATTAN — The American Royal Association’s World Series of Barbeque is a longstanding tradition in Kansas City, Mo., but in 2016 the event will take place in Kansas for the first time in its history. The Kansas Department of Agriculture is proud to welcome the annual barbeque competition to the state, and encourages Kansans to attend this unique event.

“We are thrilled to host our World Series of Barbeque for the first time in Kansas,” said Lynn Parman, President and CEO of the American Royal Association. “We are expecting 600 teams from around the world and 50,000 people to attend this exciting weekend at the Kansas Speedway.”

The 37th annual American Royal barbeque presented by Smithfield will be held on Oct. 26-30 on the infield of the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. The event is the finale of the competitive barbeque season, and will feature more than 600 teams. The public is encouraged to attend the Friday, Oct. 28, event which features marketplace vendors, BBQ vendors, food, beverages and more from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., including entertainment from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 29, the Cowtown Family Fun Fest is a kid-friendly barbeque festival featuring a variety of activities including inflatables, face painters, a petting zoo, pony rides and stage entertainment from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The American Royal’s World Series of Barbeque is organized and hosted by the American Royal Association, a not-for-profit corporation that has been a Kansas City tradition since 1899. The competition is just one of many events and activities put on by the Royal during its fall season that helps support its mission of championing agriculture excellence while providing scholarships and education opportunities.

Information about the American Royal BBQ, including how to purchase tickets for both events, as well as other special events, can be found at americanroyal.com/bbq.

KDA

MANHATTAN — The Kansas secretary of agriculture and attorney general have asked the Environmental Protection Agency not to regulate the herbicide atrazine to the point it becomes ineffective or uneconomical for Kansas farmers.

In comments filed with EPA in connection with that agency’s proposed new regulation for atrazine and related herbicides, Secretary Jackie McClaskey and Attorney General Derek Schmidt urged the agency not to adopt a regulation that would render atrazine effectively unavailable for Kansas farmers.

“Any decision by EPA to restrict or eliminate the availability of the subject herbicides, particularly the availability of atrazine, would directly and negatively affect thousands of Kansas farmers by increasing the costs of production, reducing yield, and harming profitability while producing no meaningful environmental benefit,” the two wrote. “Please carefully consider a broader perspective and long-term approach when handling this issue. The proposal is inconsistent with EPA’s previous stated environmental concerns, is in conflict with proven evidence, and is detrimental to agriculture conservation practices.”

McClaskey and Schmidt pointed out that new regulations that result in atrazine being ineffective or unavailable would undermine efforts to promote soil conservation through reduced tillage practices.

The full comment letter is available at agriculture.ks.gov/letter-to-epa.

Kids and Cars

Summer is over, yet another child died in a hot car last week in Salisbury, NC. These tragedies will continue to happen at an alarming rate until driver reminder technology is available in all vehicles. The biggest challenge; nobody thinks this could ever happen to them.

On September 15, 2016 U.S. Rep Tim Ryan (OH), Peter King (NY) and Jan Schakowsky (IL) introduced the Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats Act (HOT CARS Act of 2016, H.R. 6041). This critical piece of legislation will help prevent children from being needlessly killed or injured when left alone in a vehicle. This bi-partisan effort has already received widespread support from more than 20 of the nation’s leading public health, consumer and safety organizations, an expert in neuroscience and the brain memory system, along with families who have been devastated by a similar tragedy.

It has been three weeks since the introduction of the HOT CARS Act, and subsequently 8 more families are suffering the unthinkable loss of a child.

Please work with us to continue to raise awareness and prevent these deaths utilizing our proactive ‘Look Before You Lock’ program while we work towards a technological solution.

Look Before You Lock Safety Checklist

• Make sure your child is never left behind in the back seat of a car.
• Make it a routine to open the back door of your car every time you park to check that no one has been left behind.
• Put something in the back seat to remind you to open the back door every time you park – cell phone, employee badge, handbag, etc.
• Keep a stuffed animal in baby’s car seat. Place it on the front seat as a reminder when baby is in the back seat.
  Ask your babysitter or child care provider to call you if your child hasn’t arrived as scheduled.
• Make sure children cannot get into a parked car.
• Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway.
• Keys and remote openers should never be left within reach of children.
• If a child is missing, immediately check the inside and trunk of all vehicles in the area very carefully.

About KidsAndCars.org: Founded in 1996, KidsAndCars.org is the only national nonprofit child safety organization dedicated solely to preventing injuries and deaths of children in and around vehicles. KidAndCars.org promotes awareness among parents, caregivers and the general public about the dangers to children, including backover and frontover incidents, and heat stroke from being unknowingly left in a vehicle. The organization works to prevent tragedies through data collection, education and public awareness, policy change and survivor advocacy.

KDWPT

PRATT – Fall hunting seasons may have started, but there’s still time to get into a Kansas Hunter Education class near you. October is chock-full of opportunities, and with Internet-assisted courses, finding one to fit your schedule has never been more convenient. The easiest way to find a class near you is to visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting,” then “Hunter Education.” Students must be 11 or older to be certified. However, hunters 15 or younger may hunt without hunter education certification provided they are under the direct supervision of an adult 18 or older. Otherwise, anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must be certified by an approved course before they can hunt in Kansas.

Class schedules are organized by format: traditional or Internet-assisted. Traditional hunter education courses are 10 hours long and are usually held over two to three days. Internet-assisted courses are designed to meet the needs of individuals with busy schedules by providing online classwork that can be done at home. After the Internet work is completed, students must attend a field day, which often includes live-fire, trail-walk and safe gun handing exercises before final testing and certification. Students must register for an Internet-assisted course (field day) before completing the online portion.

Classes fill up quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Sign up today and we’ll see you in the field!

KDA

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. The department’s interactive map of Kansas, showing the economic impact of agriculture broken down by county, has recently been updated to provide citizens with statistics adjusted for 2016.

Located on the KDA website, the interactive map can be used to find the agricultural economic facts for each of the 105 counties in Kansas. KDA annually updates the statistics on the map to give the state’s driving economic industry the recognition it deserves. In the 66 sectors of Kansas agriculture that were recognized for this data compilation, the total output is approximately $64.6 billion. Agriculture also supports more than 234,726 jobs statewide.

“Kansas agriculture contributes 42.8% of the state’s total economy,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey. “Every county plays an important part in the state’s agriculture industry.”

The interactive map allows users to see detailed agricultural statistics including farm numbers, leading agricultural sectors and value-added data for each county. KDA utilizes facts from the 2012 census surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The economic impact data is sourced from the most recent IMPLAN data available.

The county statistics map is available at agriculture.ks.gov/ksag. For updated information, click on a county and find the “2016 Full Report for County” after the county sector list.

With Wed., Oct. 5 being International World Teachers Day and the Every Student Succeeds Act soon to go in effect, the personal-finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2016’s Best & Worst States for Teachers.

In order to help educators find the best teaching opportunities in the country and draw attention to the states needing improvement in this regard, WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 16 key metrics, ranging from “average starting salary” to “pupil-teacher ratio” to “school safety.”

Best States for Teachers     Worst States for Teachers
1 New Jersey                                42 Rhode Island
2 Massachusetts                         43 South Carolina
3 Illinois                                       44 North Carolina
4 Minnesota                                45 Maine
5 Wyoming                                  46 South Dakota
6 Virginia                                     47 Mississippi
7 New York                                  48 Oregon
8 Texas                                         49 Arizona
9 Utah                                           50 West Virginia
10 Connecticut                            51 Hawaii

Kansas ranked 32nd out of the 51 analyses.

Best vs. Worst
Wyoming has the highest average starting salary for teachers (adjusted for cost of living), $46,626, which is 1.9 times higher than in Hawaii, the state with the lowest, $24,334.

Michigan has the highest median annual salary for teachers (adjusted for cost of living), $70,042, which is two times higher than in Hawaii, the state with the lowest, $34,063.

Nevada has the lowest projected number of teachers per 1,000 students by year 2022 (indicating competition), 26.83, which is 3.3 times lower than in North Dakota, the state with the highest, 87.59.

Vermont has the lowest pupil-teacher ratio, 10.6, which is 2.3 times lower than in California, the state with the highest, 24.3.

Vermont has the highest public-school spending per student, $25,286, which is 3.4 times higher than in Indiana, the state with the lowest, $7,538.

To view the full report and your state’s ranking, visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-teachers/7159/

KDWPT

TOPEKA–In addition to voting for their chosen candidates and other important matters in the November 8, 2016 general election, voters will decide whether to amend the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights to add a constitutional right to hunt, fish and trap wildlife.

The proposed amendment would specify the people have a right to hunt, fish and trap by traditional methods, subject to reasonable laws and regulations that promote wildlife conservation and management and that preserve the future of hunting, fishing and trapping. The amendment would also specify that hunting and fishing are the preferred means for managing and controlling wildlife, and that the amendment shall not be construed to modify any provision of law relating to trespass, eminent domain or other private property rights.

The amendment would be created if approved by a majority of Kansas voters. A “Yes” vote will be a vote in favor of adding the amendment to the constitution, and a “No” vote will be a vote against adding the amendment. If the amendment passes, current laws and regulations governing hunting, fishing and trapping of wildlife would still apply, as the proposed right is subject to reasonable laws and regulations. If the amendment fails, there would be no changes to current laws and regulations.

The proposed amendment was introduced into the 2015 Legislative Session as House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 5008 by Representative Couture-Lovelady and Representative Lusker, but no action was taken. It was carried over to the 2016 session where it passed both chambers by large margins. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) testified in support of the resolution.

According to the website Ballotpedia.org, 19 states currently have similar constitutional provisions for the right to hunt and fish. Two others have constitutional provisions guaranteeing the right to fish, and two have statutes providing for the right to hunt and fish. Vermont established its right to hunt and fish in 1777, but most of the other states have created their rights since 2000.

Hunters and anglers provide all of the support for the state’s wildlife and fisheries management programs. These programs are entirely funded by license/permit fees and a federal match from the excise tax paid by hunters and anglers on equipment they buy (these revenues can only be used to fund wildlife and fisheries programs; they cannot be used for state park maintenance). The state’s share of the federal excise tax can only be returned to Kansas if someone buys a license or permit. KDWPT does not receive any state general funds for any of its programs.

For more information about the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, visit KSOutdoors.com or TravelKS.com.

KDWPT

PRATT – National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) is Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, to recognize the amazing contributions hunters and anglers have made to wildlife conservation over the past 100 years. Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a proclamation officially dedicating Sept. 24 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Kansas, crediting Kansas hunters and anglers for their positive impact on wildlife conservation and the state’s economy.

The 2016 Honorary Chair is Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, and the theme of this year’s nationwide celebration is “Hunt. Shoot. Fish. Share the pride.”

Since the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act was passed in 1937, hunters have provided more than $7 billion to state wildlife conservation programs through excise taxes on hunting and shooting equipment. Currently, hunters pay more than $371 annually into the federal program, and when you add the nearly $800 million they spend on licenses and permits and another $440 million they donate to conservation organizations each year, it’s evident that hunters fund wildlife conservation programs in the U.S.

On the fishing side, U.S. anglers and boaters have paid nearly $8 billion into the Sport Fish Restoration Program since it was established in 1950. That money is distributed to state agencies for fisheries conservation programs, aquatic resource education, boating access, and the Clean Vessel Act program. Annually, anglers pay nearly $400 million into the federal program, $657 million in license fees and more than $400 million in private donations annual for fisheries conservation programs.

In Kansas, hunters and anglers pump more than $600 million into our state’s economy annually, supporting 9,300 jobs and paying $69 million in state and local taxes.

While the money provided to wildlife and fisheries programs by hunters and anglers is impressive, the wildlife success stories are even more amazing. Species, such as white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, wild turkey, and giant Canada geese, that were on the brink of extinction around the turn of the century are now abundant and existing in healthy populations across the country. Today’s state fisheries programs produce a variety of quality angling opportunities that were unthinkable just 50 years ago. And while the focus is usually on game animals and sport fish, the conservation programs implemented benefit far more non-game species.

To learn more about the National Hunting and Fishing Day 2016, go to www.nhfday.org. To learn more about the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program, go to https://wsfrprograms.fws.gov. Contact your local Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism office to see if any NHFD events are planned near you.

KDWPT

COUNCIL GROVE – The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will hold the 2016 NWTF Kansas State JAKES Camp, October 1-2 at White Memorial Camp, 6 miles north of Council Grove, off highway K177.

The camp is open to youth 17 and younger and features fishing, arts and crafts, BB gun shooting, trap and target shooting, 3D archery, canoeing, flint knapping, and turkey calling with turkey hunting legend Ray Eye. Youth participants can attend up to six programs on Saturday, and on Saturday evening JAKES members can participate in the annual NWTF Kansas Turkey Calling contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top three places in two divisions: JAKES, age 12 and under and Xtreme JAKES, age 13 to 17. Later in the evening, wildlife impersonator Ralph Duren will entertain everyone with his “Calls of the Wild” program.

On Sunday, Pastor Gary Cargill will start the day with a sunrise service. Activities on Sunday morning include a presentation by Mick Bowman on predator calling and a program by Ray Eye on youth turkey hunting.

The cost is $20 for JAKES members, $30 for non-JAKES members (which includes a JAKES membership), and $20 for adults. Attendees may tent camp (bring your own tent) Saturday night or commute both days. Attendees also have the option to stay in a cabin with bunk beds and a shared bath for an additional fee. Boys and girls will have separate cabins. There are also a few RV hookups. The cost includes lunch and supper on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, prepared by the White Memorial Camp kitchen staff. All youth participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt and win a drawing prize at the end of the event on Sunday. Some lucky youth will win a shotgun.

For more info and to register, contact Gib Rhodes at (620) 437-2012.

The NWTF Kansas State JAKES Camp was awarded the “Best State JAKES Event” in 2012, the “Best Special JAKES Event” in 2013 at the NWTF National Convention in Nashville, Tenn., and “Honorable Mention” in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

KDWPT

PRATT – The Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson is open Sept. 9-18, and there’s no better place to get back to your Kansas country roots. And while you’re enjoying the booths, rides, entertainment and displays, visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Staff will be there ready to answer questions or just visit at several different locations.

KDWPT’s permanent booth and display is located in the Eisenhower Building. There you’ll find four aquariums filled with Kansas fish and terrariums displaying live Kansas snakes. Replicas of all the Kansas State Record Fish adorn the walls around the aquariums, and there are some replica deer mounts of actual Kansas trophy whitetails. At the booth you’ll find knowledgeable staff ready to answer your questions, and you can pick up the latest hunting and fishing regulations pamphlets, as well as the 2016 Kansas Hunting Atlas. A variety of park, public lands, and general information brochures are also on hand.

If you enter the fair grounds at the southeast gate, you can’t miss KDWPT’s mobile aquarium. This 40-foot-long monster holds 3,200 gallons and will have a variety of Kansas fish swimming for your entertainment. Fisheries staff will be nearby to answer questions and provide information.

Across the fair grounds on the north side of Lake Talbott you can tour a cabin, representing those available for rent at state parks and wildlife areas in the state. Park staff will hand out information and answer questions about camping, hiking, boating, fishing and relaxing in one of our 26 state parks.

In the Pride of Kansas building, KDWPT’s Travel and Tourism staff will host a booth to talk to fair goers about all things tourism in Kansas. Learn about unique day trips, special, out of the way restaurants, and other amazing things you can see and experience across Kansas.

Come see us at the 2016 Kansas State Fair. We’ll all be glad you did.