Plant Protection and Weed Control FAQ's

• Do I need a license to sell plants?

  Businesses, organizations, and persons that sell, install, or give away live plants in Kansas must obtain a Live Plant Dealer License. Information about obtaining a live plant dealer license is available on the Selling Plants in Kansas page.
  

• What is needed for a landscaping business?

  Landscapers who plant, transplant, or move live plants for compensation fall under the definition of live plant dealers. See “Do I need a License?” or “Regulations” on the Selling Plants in Kansas page for more information.

• What do I need if I am selling plants at a farmer's market booth?

  Farmers market vendors who sell live plants fall under the definition of live plant dealers. See “Do I need a License?” or “Regulations” for more information.

• What is the status of the Industrial Hemp program?

  Details and FAQs specific to Industrial Hemp can be found on the Industrial Hemp pages. 
  

• What is a noxious weed?

  The Noxious Weed Law was established in 1937 to protect landowners from the encroachment of certain weeds from neighboring lands. The current version designates 12 plant species as noxious weeds and gives counties the option for 2 additional designations.  

  All landowners, both public and private, are required to control and eradicate noxious weeds on lands they own or manage. Please visit the Noxious Weed Control Program for more information.
  

• How do I report a noxious weed?

  KDA staff and County Weed Directors are always on the lookout for new populations of noxious and invasive weeds but cannot find everything. If you find a plant you know or suspect to be noxious or invasive, please report it through EDDMaps-Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System.  

  Reporting can be done through the website or through the system’s phone apps. For Kansas, EddMapS West is preferred but EddMapS can also be used.

• How do I contact my local weed director?

  Each county has a designated Weed Director who helps landowners control and eradicate noxious weeds on their land.  They also manage noxious weeds on right-of-ways and other county property. Visit the County Weed Director's Association of Kansas to find your local contact.

• What do I need to do to sell firewood?

  The state of Kansas and USDA regulate firewood movement because of the risks of incidental movement of detrimental plant pests. Please visit the section on Firewood on the Plant Protection and Weed Control – Insects page. 
  

• How do I buy certified weed free forage?

  View the most current Certified Weed Free Forage Producers List at the bottom of the Certified Weed Free Forage and Mulch Program page. These producers have had hay, mulch and/or straw certified in the last couple of years.  Contact producers individually to determine costs and availability.
  

   

• How do I get hay or straw certified?

  To certify hay, mulch, straw, and other forage materials, visit the Certified Weed Free Forage and Mulch Program page. Crops must be inspected in the field by KDA staff and meet national program standards. To request an inspection, visit Licensing, Inspections and Certifications.  
  

• Is movement of honeybees restricted?

  Kansas does not regulate the importation of honeybees or beekeeping equipment. These items can be moved into Kansas from any state without inspection. 

  Many other states regulate entry of honeybees and beekeeping equipment. Program staff can provide inspections of bees and beekeeping equipment as needed to satisfy the requirements of the destination state. 
   
  Complete a Request for Export Inspection and one of our field inspectors will contact you.
  

• How does PPWC inspect agricultural seed?

  Plant Protection and Weed Control inspectors perform inspections at businesses that sell agricultural seed and collect samples of various kinds of seed. If the inspector finds seed that does not comply with the Kansas seed law, or if seed is analyzed and found to be out of tolerance, the business is issued a stop sale order on the seed.  That seed cannot be sold until it is brought back into compliance with the Kansas seed law, or it must be destroyed.

• Why is it important to inspect agricultural seed?

  Seed inspections are important to the agricultural industry and to consumers. Farmers use the germination and purity guarantees to determine crop yield. If seed does not meet those guarantees, the crop will be less than expected and the farmer may suffer economically. Poor crop yields may ultimately raise the price of food for consumers.

• Do seed conditioners need to register with Kansas?

  Yes. We require all seed conditioners to register every two years, but we currently do not require a registration fee.  Please call the KDA office for a seed conditioners application or visit https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/application-center.

• How do I start a greenhouse/nursery/live plant dealer business?

  A live plant dealer license is required prior to selling, offering for sale, or delivering any live plants in Kansas. KDA offers a Greenhouse, Nursery, or Garden Store Licensing Guide for additional tips.

• What do I need to do to export a plant or plant product?

  Plants and plant products that move across state and federal boundaries are subject to quarantines and other legal restrictions. Please visit the Licensing, Inspections and Certifications page for more information.

• What is needed to move used agricultural equipment to California?

  California requires used agricultural machinery coming into the state to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by state authorities. Issuance of the certificate is dependent upon inspection. In Kansas, inspections are performed by KDA Plant Protection and Weed Control staff. 

  Machinery must be internally and externally free from soil, plant debris, straw, cobs, etc. to pass inspection. Thorough cleaning of a typical combine generally takes around 40 man-hours. 

  When the equipment is ready, request an export inspection or contact the appropriate regional specialist. Inspections are billed as described on the inspection request form.  

  Inspection Day:  
  Remove shields from the machinery prior to the inspection to speed the process. A typical inspection takes about an hour for a clean piece of machinery.  Multiple inspections may be required if machinery is presented to the inspector in dirty condition.  

  A state phytosanitary certificate will be issued when the machinery passes inspection. The certificate fee is $20 and is billed with the inspection. 
  

• Can I import an insect or plant disease into Kansas?

  Visit USDA Eauthentications and log in or create an account.  You will need a level 2 eauthentication account, which requires a trip to your local USDA Service Center.  Once authenticated, visit APHIS Permits and fill out a PPQ-256 permit request. Issuance of the permit may take up to 80 days if approved and may require inspection of your home or business by an APHIS agent. 
  

• What do I need to move walnut wood into Kansas?

  The movement of raw walnut wood into Kansas is regulated under the Thousand Cankers Disease of Walnut Quarantine. If you are interested in moving raw walnut wood into the state, please contact the Plant Protection and Weed Control program for more information.

• Can I move hay through Kansas?

  There are no restrictions on moving hay or straw into or through Kansas.  We appreciate your efforts to reduce the movement of noxious weeds into our beautiful state. 
  

• Do I need to have my house plants inspected before I move them to another state?

  You may, depending upon the quarantine rules of the destination state. Visit the National Plant Board’s State Regulation Summaries to review requirements or contact the appropriate regional specialist.  

  If inspection is required, you can complete the Request for Export Inspection. The inspection will be billed as described on the request form and the certificate for interstate movement is $20. 
  

• How do I contact my local extension agent?

  Visit K-State Research and Extension’s County and District offices map. You can also find information about state and regional offices through this site. 
  

• How do I contact the Kansas Forest Service?

  Visit the Kansas Forest Service website for information about services and district foresters.