Sect. 1 6-9-15.qxp:Layout 1 6/4/15 1:21 PM Page 1 Ag Camp to introduce urban youth to realities of food production By Donna Sullivan, Editor to Peterson. The junior ses- mation on donating to the With the average Ameri- sion will run from August 2- program, contact White Me- can now at least two genera- 5 and be for campers who morial Camp director Jancy tions removed from the farm, have completed third Pettit at 620-767-5165. there is an ever-widening through sixth grade. The Flint Hills Extension Dis- gap between consumers and senior session will be from trict Agriculture and Natural the farmers and ranchers August 5-8 for seventh Resources agent Lori Bam- who produce their food. A graders and up. 4-H and FFA merlin says the camp fits constant conversation in the members will serve as coun- well with her programming. agriculture community is selors for the camp, lending “We’re teaching about agri- how to best educate their their unique personal experi- culture,” she said. “Some of customers on the realities of ences in agriculture to the the grand challenges in Ex- food production amid voices cause. tension is feeding the grow- who seek to cast agriculture The setting will be the ing population and develop- in a disparaging light. beautiful White Memorial ing tomorrow’s leaders. Edu- Not one to see a need and Camp near Council Grove, cating the youth in where look the other way, Council which is nestled in native their food comes from and Grove businessman Don Pe- prairie land and surrounded making them more educated terson came up with the idea on three sides by the Council to help others will help agri- of Ag Camp – Seeing and Grove Lake. Each cabin is culture in the end, as well.” Being in Agriculture. Part- air-conditioned and there is a More information can be nering with the White Me- swimming pool and other found at www. whitememo- morial Camp Management outdoor activities that will be rialcamp.com or on the Group, Council Grove FFA, utilized during the camp. Facebook page, AG Camp: Flint Hills Extension District After breakfast each Seeing & Being in Agricul- and TCT, Peterson is plan- morning, the campers will be ture. ning a four-day camping ex- shown a Power Point presen- While just one session for perience in August for kids tation depicting the farming Don Peterson, owner of Santa Fe Ag Services in Council Grove, and White Memo- each age group is planned who have not grown up with operations and practices they rial Camp director Jancy Pettit are working with the Council Grove FFA, Flint Hills Ex- for this year. Peterson hopes agriculture as a part of their will see that day. “We’ll try tension District and TCT to put together Ag Camp – Seeing and Being in Agriculture to add several more for the daily lives – ones who be- to explain the different to introduce urban young people to the farmers and ranchers who produce their 2016 season. lieve milk and bread comes things because the kids are In a letter to potential food. Courtesy photo from the grocery store and not going to know what supporters, Peterson ac- have no idea of the impor- they’re looking at without ranch, and meat goat ranch Since most swine operations which is below the actual knowledged the effort won’t tance of agriculture. some previous explanation,” as well as view different are closed due to disease pre- cost. To keep the experience be a quick fix. He added, To recruit urban youth to Peterson said. They will then crops in the field. They also cautions, the study of pork affordable for the youth, Pe- “We will be starting a trend the camp, fliers will be sent board buses for trips to near- plan to visit the historic Z production will be done at terson is soliciting donations for people to create an inter- to churches and other organ- by farms and ranches. Peter- Bar Ranch to see the native the camp. from agriculture-related est in and an understanding izations that touch the lives son hopes to include field grasses bison lived on and Cost for the camp is $90 businesses to be used for of their fellow workers.” of young people, according trips to a dairy farm, cattle the beautiful Flint Hills. for both juniors and seniors, scholarships. For more infor- Kansas net farm income slipped further in 2014 Lower prices paid to KFMA’s annual PROF- One state, farmers for their crops in ITLINK Analysis showed. different regions 2014 pulled average net farm An executive summary of “Historically, whatever income in Kansas below pre- the report is available online the wheat crop does, that’s vious year levels and well at how the KFMA numbers below the five-year average, http://www.agmanager.info/ move,” said Bryan Manny, according to the Kansas kfma/. KFMA economist in south Farm Management Associa- “Average net farm in- central Kansas, where the tion. come for the state was down average farm income was the Net farm income across about $18,000 in 2014 com- lowest. “Last year the aver- 1,175 KFMA member farms pared with 2013,” said Kevin age wheat yield (in south averaged $122,190, down Herbel, KFMA program ad- central) was about 26 from $140,356 the previous ministrator, adding that most bushels per acre, whereas in year and below the five-year of the pressure came from 2013, the average yield was average of $149,114, lower crop prices. 47 bushels per acre. Last KFMA divides the state year’s yield was the lowest into six regions. Net income since 2007 when there was a last year was down in four of late freeze and the average the six regions while south- yield was 14.6 bushels per east Kansas and northwest acre.” Kansas farms had higher in- Despite the slide, most come than the previous year. producers are weathering the Farmers listen to Stu Duncan, Kansas State University agronomy professor and South central Kansas farms storm well, Manny said of northeast area crops and soils specialist during the Republic County High School had the lowest at $52,996, a farmers in his area. Over the FFA Wheat Plot Tour Wednesday, June 3 in Cuba. Photo by Amy Hadachek sharp drop from $151,464 a last few years, some produc- year earlier. Southeast ers have shifted some of Spring challenges of wheat crop discussed on tour Kansas farms had the high- their acres to crops other est net income last year at than wheat and the rains in By Amy Hadachek These conditions affected the quality of $183,899. June and July last year Two dozen farmers attended the Repub- the wheat crop. DeWolf and Duncan em- Not all Kansas farms are helped those spring-planted lic County High School FFA Wheat Plot phasized that spraying fungicide this year KFMA members, but the an- crops. Tour in Cuba, which was the third stop on paid off, in preventing disease and main- nual report is a barometer of “Farmers are also not the River Valley Extension District tour taining yields. DeWolf said his ‘Top 3’ va- financial conditions for pro- spending a lot on equipment Wednesday, June 3rd. Erick DeWolf; rieties for north central Kansas are Ever- ducers, especially when right now,” he added. Kansas State University Research and Ex- est, WB-4458 and WB Cedar. Duncan comparing one year to the Average net farm income tension plant pathologist, and Stu Duncan; noted that the later-maturing wheat such as next, Herbel said. in northeast Kansas last year Kansas State University agronomy profes- Monument will most likely be the higher- While crop prices were tallied $149,476, not much sor and northeast area crops and soils spe- yielding varieties this year in this area, due down in 2014, livestock change from the previous cialist discussed how the wheat crop fared to the favorable growing conditions expe- prices were higher, which year of $160,350, said Clay over the 2014-2015 winter and the 2015 rienced in late spring. Both speakers also aided producers who raise spring; particularly with abnormally cool said that wheat at the Cuba plot looked cattle, particularly. and wet weather through April and May. equally as good as any wheat in the state. Continued on page 3 Sect. 1 6-9-15.qxp:Layout 1 6/4/15 1:22 PM Page 2 Page 2 Grass & Grain, June 9, 2015 moisture that’s fallen,” kernels out. Bigge says. “We’re a lot “I believe the potential greener out here than we for a good harvest is out have been the last several there,” Bigge says pointing years.” to his crop. The northwestern Kan- Still as any Kansas wheat sas farmer has conducted farmer will tell you, “Never By John Schlageck, color. Much of the crop stand counts in the fields. count your crop until it’s in Kansas Farm Bureau stood knee-high. He’s recorded yield esti- the bin.” Travel through north- While most of the wheat mates between 45 and 55 Three years ago, Bigge western Kansas and you’ll looks good viewed from the bushels. parked the machines next to A couple of weeks ago all ready to play. see plenty of variability in roads, walking into the crop “I believe this year’s crop a field and prepared to my grandson invited me to My son warned me that the winter wheat crop. often reveals a different is going to surprise some of begin harvest the next come up and play in his it wasn’t exactly all mud in our farmers once they pull morning.