The Kansas Department of Agriculture was pleased to host the third annual Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth on August 23, 2018. This year's Summit was the largest ever, with more than 500 people attending to talk about growing agriculture in Kansas. Participants ranged from farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness owners to policy-makers, city/county representatives, and leaders of agriculture organizations. 

The Ag Growth Summit began with an Eggs and Issues breakfast, new this year, and invited those who hold statewide elected office to attend. Attendees heard from State Treasurer Jake LaTurner, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, Lieutenant Governor Tracey Mann and Congressman Roger Marshall.

Governor Jeff Colyer then addressed the full crowd as the Ag Growth Summit kicked off, and spoke of growth achievements that have been accomplished in Kansas agriculture. See highlights of those achievements here. Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey thanked all who were in attendance and directed them to the morning events.

The morning was spent in workshop sessions to identify significant actions that will be taken next to move forward on the outcomes that have been identified for growth in the 19 sectors of Kansas agriculture. Read more about those outcomes here.
   
Lunch featured comments from Ambassador Gregg Doud, the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Secretary McClaskey then shared major takeaways from each sector's morning discussion -- see that presentation here. 

The afternoon offered optional sessions to discuss trade, traceability, water and conservation, workforce development, broadband, industrial hemp and economic development. 

A date has been set for the 2019 Kansas Ag Growth Summit: August 29, 2019. Mark your calendar now!