Kansas Fire Marshal

TOPEKA–While hoverboards may be a hot ticket item this holiday season, there have been numerous reports of injuries and fires involved with these devices. Please read this advisory by the National Association of State Fire Marshals.

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) wishes you a happy and safe holiday season.

This year, self-balancing scooters, more popularly known as hoverboards, are
undoubtedly the hot ticket item on many wish lists. NASFM has received reports of injuries and fires involved with these devices, and we would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some safety tips for their use, care, and maintenance to ensure a merry holiday.

When shopping for a self-balancing scooter or hoverboard:
1) Please take the time to look at and research the product you buy. If it is compliant with federal standards, inspections, and certifications, it will have a mark on it or indicate such on its packaging, on the device itself, or on its charging equipment. Devices not bearing a mark indicating compliance likely have not been tested to meet minimum safety standards.

2) When buying online, take the time to verify that the device meets applicable standards. There are many of these products on the market, and many may not meet this country’s inspection and safety requirements. Those that do will indicate such on the packaging, and on the device or its charging equipment.

3) Buy a device with a warranty, or buy it in person at a brick and mortar store. If you are buying online, buy from a reputable source. Also, check with your retailer regarding the safety of the device you are purchasing.

When charging your self-balancing scooter or hoverboad:
1) After it has been used, give the device time to cool off prior to charging.
2) Do not leave the device unattended while it is charging. Someone should be able to observe the device during its recharging time.
3) Do not overcharge the device; follow manufacturer’s recommended charging times and do not leave device plugged into an outlet overnight.
4) Do not use imitation electrical chargers as they may be unsafe.
5) Keep to one plug per socket.

When operating your self-balancing scooter or hoverboad:
1) Wear appropriate safety equipment; similar to when riding a bicycle.
2) Do not text or operate a cell phone while using a self-balancing scooter or hoverboad.
3) Operate the device in accordance with its intended use.
4) Overheating – if you notice the device is very hot, stop using it and check with your manufacturer or retailer. This could suggest a faulty battery that needs replacing.

As more details become available and research is conducted into these incidents, NASFM will work to help keep you informed. If you should have any fire-related incidents regarding these devices, please contact your State Fire Marshal’s Office. Have a safe holiday season.

Office of U.S. Attorney Kansas District

KANSAS CITY–U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom has announced that the District of Kansas collected more than $9.2 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2015. Of this amount, more than $6.2 million was collected in criminal actions and $3 million was collected in civil actions.

Additionally, the District of Kansas worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Justice Department to collect approximately an additional $402,000 in cases pursued jointly with these offices. Of this amount, approximately $12,000 was collected in criminal actions and $390,000 was collected in civil actions.

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has announced that the Justice Department collected $23.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2015. Collections in FY 2015 represent more than seven and a half times the approximately $2.93 billion of the Justice Department’s combined appropriations for the 93 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and main litigating divisions in that same period.

“Our job is to litigate vigorously and enforce the collection of debts due to the United States and to victims of federal crimes,” U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. “We’re working hard to carry out that responsibility.”

For instance, in FY 2015 the District of Kansas entered a settlement for a payment of $700,000 from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) in a False Claims Act lawsuit. The payment was to settle allegations that a subcontractor, TECT Aerospace, improperly formed wing spars, including fracture critical parts, for use by HBC, the prime contractor in the manufacture of the Joint Primary Aircraft Trainers (T-6A) for the Air Force and Navy.

“The Department of Justice is committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding taxpayer resources, and protecting the American people from exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Loretta Lynch. “The collections we are announcing today demonstrate not only the strength of that commitment, but also the significant return on public investment that our actions deliver. I want to thank the prosecutors and trial attorneys who made this achievement possible, and to reiterate our dedication to this ongoing work.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The Justice Department’s largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal financial, health, safety, civil rights and environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of Kansas, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected more than $3.7 million in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2015. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

Kansas Sampler Foundation

INMAN–The Kansas Sampler Foundation announced today that the long-time Kansas Sampler Festival will come to an end after being hosted in 2016 and 2017 in Winfield.

Foundation director Marci Penner said, “The festival has been a tremendous event for the whole state and has helped people see that Kansas has a lot to offer. It’s exciting to now think of the festival as part of a progression in helping share what there is to see and do. We have some ideas for what is next and will start that conversation in January.”

In 1990, the late Mil Penner and daughter Marci Penner held a book-signing party on the family farm near Inman. About thirty places included in the new Kansas Weekend Guide came to promote under one tent. When a thousand people attended this event on a cold November day, it was clear that the public wanted to know more about Kansas day trips. The event was given a name and the Kansas Sampler Festival was born. It was held for seven more years on the Penner Farm.

The festival went on the road in 1998 as host communities were chosen for a two-year stint through a rigorous application process. Pratt was the first to organize the traveling event followed by Ottawa, Independence, Newton, Garden City, Concordia, Leavenworth, Liberal, and Wamego. Winfield will have the honor of hosting the final two years. “We could not have continued the festival without the amazing commitment of local host organizers and volunteers. They have taken such good care of the festival and given it a special flair in each location.” Penner said.

WenDee LaPlant, assistant director, came to work at the Kansas Sampler Foundation after serving as local festival director in Garden City. She said, “I love how the festival has been great for the smallest towns and large ones, as well. It’s brought towns together from every part of the state. It has helped make Kansas explorers out of the public. It’s always such a happy, positive weekend. It’s sad to see it come to an end but exciting to think of new possibilities.”

Winfield’s local director Sarah Werner when told of the news Monday morning said, “We feel very fortunate to be the site for the final two Kansas Sampler Festivals. This event has really been a springboard for many small Kansas communities to promote to a larger audience. I have no doubt that whatever the Kansas Sampler Foundation comes up with next will be just as important for rural Kansas.”

Representatives from more than 150 communities will meet in Winfield’s Island Park on May 7-8 2016, to share what there is to see, do, hear, taste, buy, and learn in Kansas. For more information go to www.kansassamplerfestival.com.

State Fire Marshal

TOPEKA–As the holidays approach, Kansans are becoming increasingly excited about adorning their homes with Christmas trees, Menorahs, ornaments and garlands. Holiday decorations, as beautiful as they are, can also be a home fire hazard. The Office of the State Fire Marshal wants to help Kansans have a truly Happy Holiday season by offering tips to reduce the chance for home fires which would spoil this wonderful time of year.

Christmas Trees

National estimates of reported home structure fires derived from the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and NFPA’s annual Fire Department Experience Survey show that in 2009-2013, Christmas trees were the item first ignited in an estimated average of 210 reported home structure fires per year, resulting in an annual average of seven civilian fire deaths, 19 civilian fire injuries, and $17.5 million in direct property damage.

· Look for flame-resistant artificial trees. Keep tree at least three feet away from heat sources.
· Ensure your natural tree is kept fresh in water throughout its recommended two-week life.

Watch this video demonstrating how quickly a dried-out Christmas tree will burn compared to a well-watered tree:

Candles

December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 11% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.

· Never leave a burning candle unattended.
· Make sure candles are in stable bases and have plenty of space around them. Place them where they cannot be easily knocked down or turned over.
· Flashlights or battery-powered lamps should be used during a power outage (not candles). Be sure to keep fresh batteries on-hand.

Holiday Lights

· Inspect holiday lights before using for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, or broken sockets.
· Only use lights that have been tested and labeled by a recognized testing laboratory.
· Avoid overloading — do not link more than three strands.
· Unplug decorative lights when leaving the home.

Cooking

Cooking is, and has long been, the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries, and according to the records collected from reporting fire departments in Kansas, home cooking fires increase significantly around the times of major holidays such as Christmas.

· Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Have a lid handy to slide over a skillet or pot that has caught on fire.
· Keep things that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels and curtains away from the cooking area.

Heating and Fireplaces

During the holidays, a nice roaring fire in the fireplace can add to the season ambiance, but can also increase the chances of a home fire. The use of portable space heaters also increases significantly during the colder months, which is also a major cause of home fires. Half (50%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.

· Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
· Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
· Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
· Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
· Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

Smoke Alarms

· Working smoke alarms should be a priority at any time of the year.
· Test smoke alarms monthly to ensure they are functioning properly and replace outdated smoke alarms with units featuring 10-year sealed lithium batteries.

For more fire safety tips, visit the Website for the Office of the State Fire Marshal at http://firemarshal.ks.gov.

Kansas Corporation Commission

TOPEKA–The Kansas Corporation Commission opened a General Investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan rule. The General Investigation also provides a mechanism for soliciting comments from members of the general public to be entered into the record.

The Commission will hold legislative-style public hearings, as well as an informational session regarding the Clean Power Plan. In addition, the Commission has also set up a public comment form on its website at http://kcc.ks.gov/pi/public_comment.htm for submission of public comments.

During the 2015 legislative session, the Kansas Legislature directed the Kansas Corporation Commission to study and report back to the Clean Power Plan Implementation Study Committee during the 2016 legislative session. The scope of the investigation and subsequent report to the legislature will focus on the following:
· Each utility’s re-dispatch options along with the cost of each option.
· The lowest possible cost re-dispatch options on a state-wide basis.
· The impacts of each re-dispatch option on the reliability of Kansas’ integrated electric systems.

The EPA released the Clean Power Plan rule in August 2015. The rule calls for states to develop a plan to reduce the proportion of energy that is produced with coal and fossil fuels. If a state fails to implement a plan that complies with the rule, the federal government will impose its own plan. A state compliance plan is due to the EPA by 2018, and initial targets for carbon reduction will begin in 2022.

“This rule will impact the electric industry in a way that has not been seen since rural electrification in the 1930’s. It will affect every budget, every business and every utility company in Kansas,” said Commissioner Pat Apple. “I’m pleased that the Commission has opened a docket into this matter, so that we can take a closer look into the rule’s implications, as well as to give members of the public a chance to weigh in, on-the-record.”

Nearly two-thirds of electrical generation in Kansas is produced from coal. If the Clean Power Plan is implemented as currently structured, electric rates are expected to increase significantly.

This order directs staff to provide a timeline by January 30, 2016 for holding legislative-style hearings to solicit input from staff, consultants, stakeholders, and members of the public.

An education session will be held on January 12, 2016 immediately following the regularly scheduled Commission meeting. The session will provide an opportunity for Kansas Corporation Commission staff, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Attorney General’s office to present information to the Commission regarding the Clean Power Plan.

The full text of the order can be found at: http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/20151203134542.pdf?Id=a7bbe593-beff-428e-8be7-14f3b5d67212 .

Kansas Department of Agriculture

STAFFORD COUNTY–The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) Division of Water Resources (DWR) is one step closer to finalizing a water right impairment claim made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for its Water Right File No. 7,571 for the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The Service’s water right is senior in priority to approximately 95 percent of the water rights in the Rattlesnake Creek Basin. The initial report on the impairment claim was published online on Dec. 2, 2015, and will be open for public comment for 60 days. The report is available here.

KDA will also hold a public meeting to present a summary of the report’s findings, answer questions, and seek input on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 4:00 p.m. in St. John. The meeting will be at the Stafford County K-State Research and Extension office located at 210 E. Third Avenue.

After years of alleging that junior groundwater appropriators upstream of the Refuge were depleting the streamflow in Rattlesnake Creek, and working with the Big Bend Groundwater Management District #5 (GMD 5), KDA DWR and a group of local water users to address these concerns, the Service filed an impairment complaint with KDA DWR in April 2013. After receiving the complaint, KDA DWR began a lengthy and extensive investigation using the hydrological model of the district (GMD 5 Model), which includes the Rattlesnake Creek Basin and the Refuge.

The initial report finds the Refuge’s water supply “has been regularly and substantially impacted by junior groundwater pumping.” According to the initial report, over the 34 years reviewed, shortages of greater than 3,000 acre-feet occurred in 18 years, particularly during periods of limited water supply.

“Publishing the initial report is an important step in this process, but there is still significant work to be completed,” said Chief Engineer David Barfield. “KDA hopes that the Service, GMD 5, and basin stakeholders will use this report to explore options to resolve this longstanding concern. We are committed to working with all stakeholders once the report is finalized to address the impairment.”

After the 60-day comment period closes, KDA DWR will evaluate the comments and work to finalize the report. For more information, visit http://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/dwr/water-appropriation/impairment-complaints/quivira-national-wildlife-refuge.

Kansas Department of Revenue

TOPEKA– Kansas drivers with suspended licenses can now apply and pay for a restricted driver’s license online.

The automated online application replaces a paper application and cuts processing time in half.

Customers can use the online application for unpaid ticket restrictions, which will allow drivers to obtain limited driving privileges instead of their unpaid tickets for up to a year.

Customers can also use the online application to request limited driving privileges for the remainder of their alcohol-related suspension.

Applications do not guarantee approval. The department determines approval based on an individual’s driving record.

Customers can also check the status of their driver’s license or retrieve copies of all notices that the Division of Vehicles has mailed to them from the online status check function at www.ksrevenue.org/DLStatusCheck.

The status check application is updated nightly Monday through Friday and shows if a driver’s license has been suspended, revoked, canceled or has restrictions.

KDWPT

PRATT–Perhaps it’s your Hunter-Husband, Trail-Trekking Teen, or maybe it’s your Birdy Brother-In-Law – whoever it may be, we’ve all got that one person who is simply hard to shop for.

If you’re looking for a unique holiday gift that won’t empty your wallet in one fell-swoop, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s Outdoor Store has just the gift. From compact guides on Kansas birds and DVDs on puddle ducks, to youth glow-in-the-dark sasquatch shirts and hats for all seasons, you’re sure to find a memorable and affordable gift that can’t be bought at a chain store. And you can buy with peace of mind knowing your purchase promotes Kansas outdoors.

Looking for a meaningful gift that will bring joy throughout the year? Give a one-, two- or three-year subscription to Kansas Wildlife & Parks magazine. The bimonthly, full-color publication is chock full of stunning wildlife photography, hearty recipes, and up-to-date information on the latest happenings in Kansas outdoor recreation. Or, how about giving the gift of engaging travel articles and info on the best eats in Kansas!magazine?

Visit ksoutdoors.com/outdoor-store today to order outdoor gifts and Kansas Wildlife & Parks magazine. Visit travelks.com/ks-mag/ to subscribe to Kansas! magazine. Order now to ensure your gifts arrive in time for the holidays.

Office of the Governor

TOPEKA–Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has proclaimed Nov. 28 as “Small Business Saturday” in Kansas to highlight the importance of small businesses to the state’s economy.

“Small businesses are vital to our state’s economy, employing nearly 70 percent of all working Kansans,” said Governor Brownback. “Shopping locally is a great way to help your neighbors and friends who own these small businesses and who create opportunities in your communities. I encourage everyone to support the small businesses in their communities, both this Saturday and throughout the holiday season.”

Small Business Saturday celebrates small businesses across the nation and encourages people to “shop small” on what is traditionally the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

Kansas joins a nationwide effort to highlight small businesses. This is the sixth annual Small Business Saturday observance, which was started by American Express as a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

National Federation of Independent Business/Kansas State Director Dan Murray said supporting small businesses during the holidays pays dividends throughout the year. NFIB/Kansas is the state’s largest small-business association.

“Instead of getting up early on Black Friday to fight over parking spaces at large chain stores, people looking for something unique in a more relaxed shopping environment should support Small Business Saturday,” Murray said. “It is a great opportunity for holiday shoppers to support their local communities.”

KDWPT

PRATT– If you’ve ever seen a photo of a poached deer, chances are you wish you hadn’t. The sad reality is countless numbers of big game animals are illegally killed in Kansas each year. While Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism game wardens make every effort to solve these cases, lack of evidence often leaves criminals unpunished. The good news is, you don’t have to be a game warden to play a significant role in helping solve a poaching case.

Operation Game Thief (OGT), 1-877-426-3843, is a toll-free line available 24/7, 365 days a year, where citizens can anonymously report wildlife-related crimes. Once a call has been placed, the message is relayed to the game warden nearest the violation.

If you suspect you are witnessing a wildlife crime do not confront the suspects. Pay attention to detail so you can provide as much specific information as possible when you call OGT. Information such as vehicle model and color, license tag numbers, descriptions of people involved, location, and the time the incident occurred will help game wardens find the poachers.

OGT calls have resulted in numerous arrests and convictions on violations ranging from deer poaching to public lands vandalism. In many cases, poachers have been arrested within minutes of the call. If you think picking up the phone can’t make a difference, think again. Those who commit wildlife crimes aren’t just stealing from the land, they are stealing from us all. Help bring them to justice by calling OGT at 1-877-426-3843.

Kansas Fire Marshal

TOPEKA–The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us and Kansas families will be coming together for a time of celebration and thankfulness. The hours spent in the kitchen preparing turkey, mashed potatoes, pies and all the other fixings, however, comes with an increased risk for household fires. The Kansas Fire Marshal would like to remind Kansans of the importance of taking safety precautions to ensure a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Cooking is, and has long been, the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries, and according to the records collected from reporting fire departments in Kansas, home cooking fires increase significantly around the times of major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Easter.

In 2014, Thanksgiving Day was the second busiest cooking fire day across the State of Kansas. Nationally, Thanksgiving was the leading day for home cooking fires, with three times as many fires occurring on this holiday as any average day of the year.

Overall, according to the Annual Report for the Kansas Fire Incident Reporting System, 28% of structure fires in 2014 started in the kitchen with a reported $4,263,469 in damage, three deaths, and 28 civilian injuries.

“With Thanksgiving being such a hectic holiday, with all the activity and guests in a home, it can be easy to get distracted and lose track of what is cooking in the oven and on the stovetop,” said Doug Jorgensen, Kansas Fire Marshal. “We encourage all Kansans to take common sense precautions to prevent a fire tragedy on their holiday.”

The Office of the State Fire Marshal recommends the following safety tips for cooking on Thanksgiving:

· Keep an eye on what you fry. Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

· Keep things that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels and curtains away from the cooking area.

· Be alert when cooking. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.

· Consider installing an automatic suppression unit attached magnetically to stovetop hoods. Shaped like small tuna cans, these units automatically put out fires when flames reach the hood.

If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire:

· On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

· For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

· If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire: Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

The Kansas Fire Marshal also discourages the use of turkey fryers which can lead to devastating burns and the destruction of property due to the large amount and high temperature of oil used. Those who prefer fried turkey should look for grocery stores, specialty food retailers and restaurants that sell deep-fried turkeys.

For more fire safety tips, visit the Website for the Office of the State Fire Marshal at http://firemarshal.ks.gov.

 

Kansas Department for Children and Families

TOPEKA–The Kansas Reading Roadmap (KRR), an initiative commissioned by Governor Sam Brownback and funded by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), is showing strong growth in third grade reading skills, according to an independent evaluation of the 2014-2015 school year.

The University of Kansas study shows in KRR model programs across the state, a greater number of children are achieving reading proficiency. KRR’s whole-school approach includes classroom instruction, in-school interventions, afterschool and summer programs, and family engagement. KRR schools have demonstrated a nearly 10-point improvement in children reading at benchmark levels. Schools use benchmark reading goals to identify whether children are on track to read at grade level.

“Third grade reading proficiency is critical to ensuring student academic success and is a strong predictor of timely graduation from high school,” said Governor Sam Brownback. “Early literacy efforts like the Kansas Reading Roadmap can both help these children succeed in school and in life.”

KRR schools have shown impressive growth in just one year. Labette County’s, Altamont Grade School showed a 69 percent increase in children reading at benchmark and a reduction of children at risk for special education by 73 percent. At Fairfield Elementary in Langdon, the number of children needing intensive reading interventions fell 60 percent, and the number of children at benchmark increased by 54 percent.

“KRR has been an excellent support for our district’s vision, combining resources and training to better meet the needs of our K-3 students and families,” said Fairfield Superintendent Nathan Reid. “The approach of instruction during school, the support of an aligned afterschool program and the partnerships created with the families have created an environment of commitment. Our students have shown tremendous growth in our short time as part of the program, and I would recommend it to any district without hesitation.”

The KRR program, currently in 40 low-income schools across the state focuses on helping schools improve third grade reading proficiency. The program is grounded in a partnership with the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE), through the use of its Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) approach for in-school reform. Kansas MTSS is a coherent continuum of evidence-based, system-wide practices to support a rapid response to academic and behavioral needs, with frequent data-based monitoring for instructional decision-making to empower each student to achieve high standards. KSDE has spent more than 10 years developing Kansas MTSS in partnership with local schools. In addition to in-school improvement through MTSS, KRR schools also run aligned afterschool, summer and family engagement programs. Young readers who are identified as needing extra help receive coordinated interventions both during and outside of school.

“There is no one silver bullet for school reform or third grade reading,” KRR Executive Director Andrew Hysell said. “Instead it takes a lot of hard work and the better use of existing resources. Working with Kansas parents, teachers and administrators, I’m amazed by how much they’ve been able to accomplish.”

KRR utilizes Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds, provided by DCF. DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore is pleased to see such positive outcomes.

“Our mission includes promoting healthy families and encouraging personal responsibility,” Secretary Gilmore said. “Improving reading proficiency early in life ensures a brighter future for young Kansans and generations to come.”

The KRR programs provide up to 1,860 hours of out-of-school programming per student and offer direct services to more than 500 families per year.

Kansas Ag Research and Technology Association

The Kansas Ag Research and Technology Association (KARTA) and K-State Research and Extension have announced its winter conference will be moving to a bigger facility in January of 2016. The 19th Annual Kansas Agricultural Technologies Conference will be held January 21-22, 2016, at the Courtyard by Marriott and adjacent convention center in Junction City.

This annual event brings hundreds of agricultural producers and industry leaders for a two-day interactive workshop on the use of technology in the ever-changing agriculture industry. “Our winter conference has been growing tremendously over the last few years, but last year we were bursting at the seams in Salina,” says Jeff Buehler, 2015 KARTA Board President. “Our volunteer board made the decision to research other venues, and are confident that the Marriott in Junction City will better serve our conference needs now and as we continue to grow in the future.”

Those in attendance at the conference will hear presentations from dynamic speakers on a wide variety of topics dealing with precision agriculture. The two-day event also includes vendor displays, the KARTA Annual Meeting, research presentations from grant recipients, and an interactive evening discussion that is always an attendee favorite.

Anyone who signs up on or before January 15th can receive a $50 discount on their conference registration, bringing the conference price to $175 per person (which includes meals and refreshments). There is also a subsidized student rate of $50 per person, catered to agricultural students at all of the state’s post-secondary educational institutions.

The funds generated through the association dues and conference registrations are used to provide grants to facilitate on-farm research projects and instructional workshops on the hardware and software necessary to conduct agricultural research trials. Registration for the two-day conference is $175 per person prior to January 15th, or $225 per person after that deadline. There is also a $50 discount for KARTA members, and new members can always sign up on their conference registration form. For more information or to register, visit www.kartaonline.org. Be sure to follow KARTA on Twitter and Facebook.