Winners of RTK photography contest announced Winners have been announced for the ninth annual Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK) photog- raphy contest, which con- cluded September 30. Each summer, RTK in- vites amateur and profes- sional photographers of all ages to submit photos that showcase the mission of RTK and Kansas’ ranch- ing heritage. The mission of RTK is “To preserve Kansas’ ranching heritage and open spaces for fu- ture generations through the conservation of work- ing landscapes.” Dave Leiker of Empo- ria was the grand prize winner in this year’s con- test. His photo was taken at the Vestring Ranch south of Cassoday when he was on assignment for Kansas! Magazine. “After I was let out of a pickup truck at the edge of the pasture, I walked “Caught in the Storm” by Crystal Socha received 663 across the grassland, votes to win the Fan Favorite category. moving quietly into their group as I studied their votes were cast for the Fan the photographers, to pro- response. When I was low Favorite category. Thank mote Kansas’ ranching and quiet, curiosity would you to all who viewed and heritage and open spaces. draw them in toward me. voted for these beautiful RTK will have photo If I stood and moved to- Kansas photos. stationery cards for sale ward them, they would Additional winners throughout the year fea- move away. Soon I felt like in each category were: turing the ten winning I could orchestrate their Landscape – Tony Ifland, photos. Printed on premi- movements to get variety Cedar; Livestock – Mari- um cardstock, the folded and action for the cam- sa Betts, Russell; People cards are blank inside era,” said Leiker. – Collin Forrest, Conway and come in packs of ten He was drawn to a Springs; KLA Member – with white envelopes. The bond between two of the Jake Pannbacker, Wash- card packages can be pur- ington; Youth – Isaac Wil- chased for $20 directly horses and watched for The grand prize winner in the Ranchland Trust of Kansas photography contest expressive moments as he ber, Wamego; and Hon- from RTK’s website www. captured his grand prize was Dave Leiker of Emporia, who captured this image at Vestring Ranch south orable Mentions – Greg ranchlandtrustofkansas. winning image. of Cassoday. Kramos, Manhattan; Mike org or contact Samantha Scheufler, Augusta; and Weishaar at samantha@ “I found it beautiful ite category by receiving to summer pasture. We down to a top 25 for the how one pair moved to- Scott Bean, Manhattan. kla.org. 663 votes on RTK’s Face- got hit by a massive storm Fan Favorite category All winning entries can be RTK is an agricultural gether, a couple times dis- book page. Her winning while on a couple thou- voting on Facebook. All playing the head-press at viewed on RTK’s website land trust affiliate of the photo, titled “Caught in sand acres. It was not only other category winners or Facebook page. Kansas Livestock Associa- the heart of this photo- the Storm” was taken in pouring rain, but high were chosen by the panel graph. It was a good mo- Prizes, sponsored by tion, with a mission to pre- Morris County. The photo- winds, lightning and hail.” of judges, along with RTK Wolfe’s Camera of Topeka, serve Kansas’ ranching ment and I’m glad I could graph truly depicts what A record number of and Wolfe’s Camera repre- share it this way,” Leiker are awarded to the top ten heritage and open spac- it is like to be a cowboy photographs were sub- sentatives. The Facebook winning photographers. es for future generations added. for a day. mitted to the contest this album was able to reach Crystal Socha of Au- The photographs will be through the conservation Socha said, “We were year. The panel of judges over 43,000 Facebook used, with permission of of working landscapes. gusta won the Fan Favor- moving cattle this spring narrowed the selection users and nearly 6,000 Lechtenberg family receives Don L. Good Impact Award Kelly and Marcie Lecht- ly’s K-State pride took root their spouses, have ac- enberg and family, proud in 1983 when Kelly started cumulated 18 K-State de- supporters of the Kansas veterinary school at the grees – soon to be 19, when State University mission, K-State College of Veter- Jana completes her doc- have been selected to re- inary Medicine. Kelly si- torate studies in 2021. ceive the 2020 Don L. Good multaneously completed a “Kelly’s education Impact Award. The Kan- DVM and doctorate in ru- at KSU was critical to sas State University Ani- minant nutrition through founding successful re- mal Sciences and Industry the Department of Animal search-based companies (ASI) Department and the Sciences and Industry. in Kansas and Nebraska Livestock and Meat In- During this time, Marcie that provide services fo- dustry Council Inc. (LMIC) taught at Riley County cused on the development honored them with an on- High School while work- and regulatory approval of line presentation on Sun- ing on a master’s degree safe, efficacious products day, October 11. in Speech Communication for cattle, swine and poul- The award, present- from K-State. In 2014, Mar- try,” says Patsy Houghton, ed annually by LMIC, is cie completed her doctor- K-State ASI Family and named in honor of Good, ate in what is now the Col- Friends Reunion chair- who is a former head of lege of Health and Human man from McCook, Ne- the ASI department, and Sciences. She is currently braska, in her nomination recognizes positive impact serving as the clinic di- letter to the Don L. Good on the livestock and meat rector for the Couple and Impact Award committee. industry or agriculture. Family Therapy Program “The Lechtenberg family Traditionally, the Impact Kelly and Marcie Lechtenberg accepted the Don L. Good Impact Award during and the K-State Family is passionate about fos- Award has been present- an online presentation. The award is usually presented at the ASI Family and Center. tering lifelong relation- ed during the K-State ASI A passion for purple ships through the power Friends Reunion, which was canceled this year due to COVID-19. Courtesy photo Family and Friends Re- runs deep in the Lecht- of mentorship, education union. Due to COVID-19 tion and honoree video FamilyAndFriends) and edu/familyandfriends) and enberg family. Combined, and friendship that makes this year’s reunion was was broadcast live on the an archive of the presen- the event’s social media the family, including their us all part of the K-State canceled. K-State Family & Friends tation is posted to the channels. three daughters Jana, family.” The awards presenta- Facebook page (@KState- event web page (asi.ksu. The Lechtenberg fami- Brooke and Paige, and Trump administration invests up to $100 million to increase American biofuel sales U.S. Secretary of Ag- Blends Infrastructure In- In Iowa, United Farm- and 48 storage tanks at 26 Eligible applicants are riculture Sonny Perdue centive Program are help- ers Cooperative will use fueling stations in Flor- vehicle fueling facilities, announced recently that ing rural communities a $93,000 grant to replace ida, Georgia, Tennessee, including, but not limited the U.S. Department of build stronger economies six dispensers and two South Carolina and Ala- to, local fueling stations/ Agriculture has invested and will give consum- storage tanks at a fueling bama. This investment is locations, convenience $22 million out of the up ers more choices when station. This project is es- estimated to increase eth- stores, hypermarket fuel- to $100 million in grants they fill up at the pump,” timated to increase etha- anol sales by 1.7 million ing stations, fleet facili- available to increase Perdue said. “President nol sales by nearly 300,000 gallons per year. ties, fuel terminal oper- American ethanol and Trump has expanded eth- gallons per year. USDA plans on an- ations, midstream part- biodiesel sales. These anol use by unleashing In Wisconsin, BP Keno- nouncing the remaining ners and/or distribution funds were made avail- year-round E15, and the sha Travel Plaza LLC HBIIP investments in the facilities. Higher biofuel able through the Higher result is more demand for will use a $378,000 grant coming weeks. blends are fuels contain- Blends Infrastructure In- American farmers and to replace and install 20 The Higher Blends ing ethanol greater than centive Program (HBIIP) more affordable fuel for dispensers and a storage Infrastructure Incentive 10 percent by volume and/ to recipients in 14 states. American consumers.” tank at two fueling sta- Program helps transpor- or fuels containing bio- The initial $22 million in USDA is funding proj- tions. This project is esti- tation fueling and biodies- diesel blends greater than HBIIP investments are ects in California, Flori- mated to increase ethanol el distribution facilities five percent by volume. projected to increase eth- da, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, sales by 1.6 million gal- convert to higher ethanol For more informa- anol demand by nearly Kansas, Kentucky, Minne- lons per year. and biodiesel blends by tion on USDA’s HBIIP 150 million gallons annu- sota, Missouri, Nebraska, Southeast Petro Dis- sharing the costs related Program, visit the High- ally. New York, Ohio, Utah and tribution will use a $3.5 to the installation of fuel er Blends Infrastructure “Investments made Wisconsin. Examples of million grant to replace pumps, related equip- Incentive Program web through the Higher projects include: and install 113 dispensers ment and infrastructure. page. Page 2 Grass & Grain, October 20, 2020 also could have used my only scratch the surface nearly 40 percent of their nectivity.