Kansas Department of Agriculture

GREAT BEND, Kansas — Emerging infectious diseases like the coronavirus don’t just threaten humans. They’re also a major concern for the livestock industry and the U.S. food supply, with billions, if not trillions, of dollars at stake.

ST. JOHN, Kansas — Water — who gets to use it, when and how — sparks fights all over the world.

The latest battleground is in south-central Kansas, near the federally operated Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

In its simplest form, it’s a clash between the refuge, which isn’t getting its legal share of water, and the local farmers who may be forced to cut back on how much water they use on their crops.

For about 10 years Laura Krier has lived in Concordia, Kansas, a small town that she’s seen get only smaller.

Without some kind of economic development, she fears things it will only get worse.

Kansas agriculture experts are holding workshops this month to help agriculture producers and vendors get ready for the upcoming farmers’ market season. 

One of the workshops is tomorrow at the Sedgwick County Extension Office in west Wichita.

Vendors can brush up on sales tax laws and regulations on selling meat, poultry and eggs. Janelle Dobbins with the Kansas Department of Agriculture says other topics include beekeeping, growing in high tunnels and vendor marketing.

Kansas-made agricultural products and food items were on display at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka Tuesday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the state's agricultural trademark program, From the Land of Kansas.