MANHATTAN, Kan. – From the Land of Kansas, the state’s agricultural trademark program, brought thousands of Wildcat fans up close and personal with Kansas agriculture as the title sponsor of the 2015 Celebrate Agriculture game day for the Kansas State University (K-State) football season opener.
“Our goal for the game was to bring awareness to how agriculture is part of every fan’s game day,” said Stacy Mayo, From the Land of Kansas director. “We used the game as a platform to promote the Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses we work to support and promote.”
The From the Land of Kansas program is housed within the Kansas Department of Agriculture and strives to provide an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy.
Game-day attendees were able to get a taste of Kansas by visiting with Kansas-based companies in the From the Land of Kansas Taste of Kansas sample tents. Participating companies included Alma Bakery, Alma; Alma Creamery, Alma; Grandma Hoerner’s, Alma; Hildebrand Farms Dairy, Junction City; Mushrush Family Meats, Strong City; Nu Life Market, Scott City; Thrill’s Kettle Corn, Burlingame and Tonja’s Toffee, Modoc.
According to Mayo, Kansans who were not able to sample the products at the K-State game can still purchases products from these companies and more. All the companies have products available in the From the Land of Kansas Marketplace at www.Shop.FromtheLandofKansas.com. “The site allows customers to buy from multiple Kansas companies and have the products shipped directly to them,” Mayo said.
The From the Land of Kansas team hopes this promotion encouraged fans to think of the program as a trusted local brand. The promotion also provided creative opportunities for its member businesses, as fans who enjoyed the game in the suites were welcomed with a gift bag of Kansas treats.
“Participating in the From the Land of Kansas sample tents at the K-State game was a great opportunity to showcase our business to K-State Wildcat fans from across the nation,” said Tonja Williams, owner of Tonja’s Toffee. “Having our toffee in the suite welcome bags was an added exposure we wouldn’t have had without being part of the trademark program.”
In addition to being the title sponsor, the program also hosted its second From the Land of Kansas Tailgate Contest, presented by Manhattan Hy-Vee. The contest promotes the use of Kansas ingredients and was judged by local food experts and food lovers.
“Contestants were challenged to incorporate Kansas ingredients into their tailgate dishes,” said Dr. Fadi Aramouni, Kansas Value Added Food Lab at K-State and contest judge. “We saw the use of Kansas beef, vegetables, milk, and tortillas, and we all enjoyed seeing the creativity of the participants.”
The winners of the contest were, Larry Baer of Topeka in the main dish category with his Rib Tip Fajitas, Pattie Wolters of Atwood in the dessert category with her Wildcat Blackberry Lemon Tarts, and Dallas Miller of Roeland Park in the side dish category with his Southwest Kansas Boy Pasta Salad. Miller’s dish was also recognized as the best dish overall.
Throughout the season, tune into the K-State Sports Radio Network on the local affiliate station to hear from a different segment of the agriculture industry and businesses across the state featured in the From the Land of Kansas Ag Minute.
For more information on the program and to shop Kansas, visit www.FromtheLandofKansas.com.
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From the Land of Kansas is Kansas’ agriculture trademark program. The program’s goal is to identify and help businesses that grow, produce, process or manufacture products in Kansas. In addition, the program works with and supports restaurants using Kansas products and retailers selling Kansas products and ingredients. The From the Land of Kansas website is a tool to help consumers discover Kansas food and agricultural products, services and experiences from the farm all the way to the fork. Follow the program’s story and meet its members on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.