Updates on HB 2595 & SB 314
News & Action Alerts
Demand Is There: “We Need More Farmers Raising Food”
Farmer Profile by  by Jean Stramel

Jill Elmers is now well into her second career – as a farmer raising vegetables, small fruits and herbs for the growing local food market in the Kansas City and Lawrence area- after 21 years as an acoustical consultant.  Demand is high for her produce, and she is doing her best to keep up with it.

“We cannot keep up with the demand. The demand outweighs my management capabilities, of what we can produce from this land – it’s incredible.”

In addition to growing raises 30-40 different kinds of crops on her Moon on the Meadow farm, Jill is chair of the Douglas County Food Policy Council, and is involved in food hub development in Northeast KS.  


HB 2595 Hearing Postponed

HB 2595  has been rescheduled for a hearing in the Commerce, Labor and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, February 17 at 1:30 pm in room 346-S (Old Supreme Court Chamber). 

This bill preempts local efforts to address food based disparities and making the healthy choice the easy choice in settings such as restaurants, retail food establishments and vending machines. The bill could also negatively affect momentum around local food systems development.  
SB 314 Update

The senate Agriculture committee has scheduled final action on this bill to take place Tuesday, February 16.  

SB 314 calls for the extension of the Local Food and Farm Task Force.  The extension will allow the task force to continue evaluating policy and funding recommendations for expanding and supporting local food systems and for assessing and overcoming obstacles necessary to increase locally grown food production.  


Feeding Kansas: Statewide Farm & Food Assessment with a Plan for Public Action

To read KRC's Policy Watch and Legislative Weekly E-Updates, click here. 
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This work is part of KRC's "Community Food Solutions for a Healthier Kansas" initiative that aims to advance seven key public policy solutions to better incorporate Kansas farms into the supply chain thereby potentially improving Kansas's economy, community, environment, and health status.  For more information about this initiative visit kansasruralcenter.org/cfs.