Kansas

Kansas AgrAbility (KAP) staff toured a blackberry and lavender farm with S.A.V.E Farm (Servicemember Agricultural Vocation Education), Ft. Riley's Warrior Transition Battalion, and the area National Civilian Community Corps Team. The blackberries are grown on a wire system that allows the farmer to move the vines for sun exposure and pollination. The setup is less labor-intensive and allows more yield.

Tawnie Larson, KAP coordinator, introduced a fellow from the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders to beekeeping so that she can return to her country and start a program with other women that that have physical limitations. They plan to raise the bees and sell the honey and honey products to help support their families.

KAP staff attended and presented at the Kansas Farmers Union and Kansas Farmer Veteran Coalition's Summer Fun Farm Tours Series. The stops on the tour included a sheep dairy, a veteran owned wagyu ranch, and a cattle and pig ranch/farm. Tour attendees included veterans, active duty soldiers, and beginning farmers.

Submitted by Tawnie Larson