Kansas Rural Center

The Kansas Rural Center (KRC) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) research, education and advocacy organizations that cultivates grassroots support for public policies that encourage family farming and stewardship of soil and water. KRC is committed to an economically viable, environmentally sound and socially sustainable agriculture and rural culture.

VISION AND HISTORY Since 1979, the Kansas Rural Center has worked to strengthen independent family farms and rural communities. KRC strives to increase ecological farming opportunities that protect the environment and natural resource base, while providing farmers a fair livelihood. In recent years, KRC has expanded its vision to include local and regional food systems, and new areas of economic activity, including community owned wind energy systems. KRC envisions a new social contract that enhances the partnership between rural and urban people, and emphasizes environmentally sound food and energy systems that benefit both.

GOALS

• Increase opportunities for existing and beginning farmers to earn their livelihoods in agricultural production. This includes restructuring our food production system in ways that return more dollars to farm families.

• Encourage adoption of integrated ecological farming systems to provide conservation benefits, protect the environment, and reduce reliance on non-renewable resources.

• Expand local and regional food production, processing and marketing opportunities to ensure availability of and accessibility to good quality food for all citizens, and to expand business and economic opportunities for rural and urban communities.

• Provide the alternative voice for sustainable, ecologically based agriculture in Kansas to ensure debate and dialogue on critical issues and challenges facing our food and farming future.