Resources

Readers’ suggestions for additional resources are most welcome (reach us through email to the Kansas Rural Center).

Articles and Presentations:

Agencies and Organizations:

  • Kansas Rural Center: www.kansasruralcenter.org
    One of the primary partner organizations for the GPLOF project, KRC has a long history of policy, program, and market advocacy for Kansas sustainable and organic agricultural producers, as well as program interest in renewable energy issues, rural economic development, and environmental quality.
  • K-State Research and Extension: www.ksre.ksu.edu and KSRE - Douglas County: www.douglas.ksu.edu
    K-State Research and Extension is a partnership between federal, state, and county government with offices in every Kansas county. KSRE conducts research that is shared by Extension agents through workshops, conferences, field days, publications, newsletters, etc.
  • Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture: www.kccua.org
    The Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture (KCCUA) is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation founded in 2004 with the mission of  promoting the production and consumption of food in city neighborhoods.
  • The Great Plains Alliance for Clean Energy: www.gpace.org
    GPACE is a 501(c)(4) non-profit that supports a clean, secure, prosperous energy economy benefiting more Kansas businesses, farms, communities, and all future Kansans.
  • The Climate and Energy Project: www.climateandenergy.org
    We can use energy wisely, develop renewable energy responsibly, and keep rapid climate change from forever altering the Midwestern way of life.  Do you want to learn more about - or even participate in - these energy conversations?  This website offers tools that can help.
  • Kansas Dept. of Ag/KS certified organic growers: http://www.ksda.gov/kansas_agriculture/content/153/cid/1157
    A list of certified organic producers in Kansas - from the Kansas Department of Agriculture website.
  • Growing Growers: www.growinggrowers.org
    Growing Growers was established to address the need for more farmers and for more effective farmers in the Kansas City region and beyond.    A collaboration between K-State Research and Extension, University of Missouri Research and Extension, the Kansas City Food Circle (a consumer organization), and the Kansas Rural Center, their goal is to provide educational opportunities to help new growers get started and established ones get better at what they do.
  • High Tunnel Resources: www.hightunnels.org
    This website is part of a USDA-sponsored project that is testing and promoting high tunnel systems in the Central Great Plains.  High tunnels, or hoophouses, are unheated greenhouses that can help market gardeners extend their growing season so that they can improve the profitability of their farms.

Businesses and producer groups:

  • Community Mercantile: www.communitymercantile.com
    A cooperatively-owned grocery story that provides an outstanding selection of the finest and freshest foods in the region by emphasizing natural and organic foods, locally produced food, and food that was produced in a sustainable way.   The “Merc” is also committed to education and outreach within the local community.
  • Growing for Market: www.growingformarket.com
    Edited in Lawrence, Growing for Market is America’s most respected publication about growing and direct marketing vegetables, fruits, herbs, cut flowers, plants, eggs, meat, cheese, and other farm products. Growing for Market covers farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture, the local food movement, organic growing, cut flowers, and much more.
  • Kansas River Valley Local Foods: www.kansasrivervalley.com
    A source for buying and selling local farm and ranch products in the Kansas River Valley. This project is a joint K-State and Kansas Rural Center initiative designed to connect local farmers and ranchers with institutions, school systems, restaurants, and buying clubs that are looking to purchase larger quantities of local foods in the Kansas River Valley area.
  • Lawrence Area Horticulture Producers: www.growinglawrence.org
    Growing Lawrence.org is an effort to conveniently connect consumers to local and fresh produce. The searchable directory includes listings for more than 50 Lawrence area specialty crop producers.
  • Local Burger: www.localburger.com
    An innovative fast-food restaurant in Lawrence that serves healthy burgers, soups, salads, and specials.  All ingredients are organic, all meats are local, and as much produce and other products are purchased locally as availability and season allows.
  • Kaw Valley Farm Tour: www.kawvalleyfarmtour.org
    This event is an opportunity to visit area farms and learn about their practices firsthand. The tour is sponsored by the Kaw Valley Agri-Tourism Council, The Lawrence Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, The Community Mercantile, and K-State Research and Extension.
  • Rolling Prairie Farmers Alliance: www.rollingprairie.net
    The original group of farmers joined together in 1994 providing a vegetable subscription service to Lawrence and Kansas City.  Over 300 households receive a weekly bag of locally grown produce during the growing season.  While not all participating farms are now certified organic, all follow the same natural, ecologically sustainable, organic practices for growing food.

Other links related to local foods, sustainability and/or the Lawrence area:

  • Farming in the Dark: A discussion about the future of sustainable agriculture: www.farminginthedark.net
    Why have so many farmers had to take day jobs to support their farms and families? What can we do to create a more sustainable food system, and a more sustainable future?  In this book, 15 farm families are interviewed and asked those questions.
  • Freedoms Frontier National Heritage Area: www.freedomsfrontier.org
    History, culture, and landscape within the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area combine to tell the stories that contribute to our national and individual freedoms.
  • Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance: www.kawvalleyheritagealliance.org
    Since 1996, KVHA has worked to strengthen watershed communities in Kansas by coordinating grassroots restoration and education projects with agency resources.
  • Lawrence Arts Center: www.lawrenceartscenter.com
    To enrich individuals and the community by nurturing love of the arts through education, exploration and expression. Serving the community of Lawrence, Kansas since 1975 with arts programs and services for individuals of all ages, interests and backgrounds.
  • Lawrence Convention and Visitors’ Bureau: www.visitlawrence.com
    The official site of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau, with events, attractions, calendars, and much more.
  • Lawrence Originals: www.lawrenceoriginals.com
    The Lawrence Originals are a group of local and independent restaurants that collaborate to improve and promote their restaurants in an effort to provide the dining public, locals and visitors alike, with unique, hospitable, and high-quality dining experiences.
  • Roger Shimomura’s art: www.rshim.com
    Lawrence-native Roger Shimomura’s paintings, prints, and theatre pieces address sociopolitical issues of Asian America and have often been inspired by diaries kept  by his late immigrant grandmother for 56 years of her life.
  • Symphony in the Flint Hills: www.symphonyintheflinthills.org
    Each spring there is a gathering, a coming together of art, nature and the kindred souls who appreciate them both. For one evening, the meadowlark’s song is joined by a Symphony in the Flint Hills.
  • Van Go Mobile Arts: www.van-go.org
    Van Go Mobile Arts, Inc. is an arts-based social service agency that provides year-round after-school and summer job-training programs to high-needs and under-served youth, ages 14-21.