Food and Farm’s Washington Days Report, 2025
The Food and Farm Caucus of the Kansas Democrats met for their annual meeting on March 1st at 11 am in Topeka, with approximately 60 people in attendance. The Caucus meeting was held as part of the annual Washington Days State Convention.
Dennis McKinney as Special Guest
Dennis McKinney speaks to the Food and Farm Caucus, 3/1/25
Dennis McKinney was our featured speaker for the meeting. Mr. McKinney most recently served as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kansas, appointed by President Joe Biden.
Dennis McKinney spoke about his office's partnership with farmers and ranchers to advance conservation. Dennis worked closely with both Kansas producers and other federal agency staff and state conservationists. He emphasized the importance of looking as producers as trusted partners and innovators in the program. Many practical improvements in the operations and practicality of the programs came up from rancher and farmer suggestions.
In his role with FSA, he also helped implement the Biden Administrations priorities to streamline and simplify applications to family farmers, including new farmers. The FSA's main role was to provide the loans and support that commercial banks won't cover ---- and their goal is to help most of their customers grow their operation and balance sheet so that they can graduate into private financing.
Several of these themes on FSA’s efforts to work with farmers were covered in the KWCH 12 “Eye on Agriculture” interview (above) with McKinney in fall 2024.
McKinney also shared observations on political realities. To win back rural Kansas, the legislators from each district will need to be "of their own place." It is vital that national and state political organizations not use purity tests to limit the participation and voice of rural legislators or drown out the different political concerns and perspectives they may bring. While we don't all have to agree on everything, it is nevertheless much more beneficial to have strength in numbers in Topeka for the issues that most matter --- and leaving otherwise winnable districts to the GOP does not advance that cause.
Dennis came to his role at FSA after a storied career in state and local government. He served as the Kansas State Treasurer from Jan 2009 to Jan 2011 under Governor Kathleen Sebelius, which followed his service in the Kansas House as a representative from 1993 to 2008, including as Minority Leaders from 2002-2008. Prior to that he served on the Kiowa County Commission. McKinney was home in Greensburg Kansas in 2007 when the EF5 tornado struck, leveling much of the City and causing multiple fatalities and injury. McKinney assisted in the rebuilding of the community, including serving a stint as interim City Manager. McKinney holds a B.A and an Master's of Public Administration from Wichita State University, and he continued his career in farming and ranching throughout his government service (at the insistence of his bank, McKinney said).
Resolution on Ukraine
The Food and Farm Caucus was proud to take a leadership role in preparing a "Resolution to Support Ukraine and Condemnation of President Trump’s Shameful Behavior on Feb 28".
The Resolution was read aloud and the Caucus voted by voice unanimously to approve it. This same resolution was circulated among other Committees and Caucuses during the morning and it received unaninimous approval on the floor of the State Committee that afternoon. We stood strong for the people of Ukraine.
Election of Officers
The meeting continued with business items and announcements. Elections of officers were held, with the 2025-26 officers being Bill, Sharon, Gayla, Tim and Justin serving as Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Delegate/At-Large Board, respectively. Gayla is a new member of the board while the others are continuing.
Business and Announcements
The caucus is actively recruiting for its Activities Committee, currently at 20 people. This committee is the umbrella group for organizing and tailoring small group activities. Current priorities include support to the Harvest Blue website, writing, farm policy research, civil rights and rural policy, and a "Fun" team dedicated to events and outreach. Those interested in joining should reach out to Bill.
The Harvest Blue website continues to be a main-stay service of the Caucus, having attracted a number of fellow Caucus and County Parties to be a part - including about 6 more that will soon be working up content to join. Bill explained as well that the "Voices" section of Harvest Blue is a place for op-ed and long-form pieces to give independent Democrats a place to be seen.
A recap of our Demofest Meeting in August 2024 was provided, with special thanks to Mike Morton of the CD4 Committee who had summarized the rural-themed workshops he attended at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. A large number of legislative candidates had also visited the Caucus in August to share their candidate statements.
One lucky participant won the door prize, a donated copy of Heather Cox Richardson's "Democracy Awakening" book.
Tumbleweeds Returned
Bill offered a special thank you to Lee Cross and other sponsors and volunteers who helped make sure that "Tumbleweeds" returned to the Friday night hospitality. The chocolate milkshake cocktail has a storied tradition within the Caucus, having been first introduced decades ago by former Governor Carlin in league with a dairy farmer in Johnson Co. We had wavered this year if we would have the stamina to do it again, but friends of the Caucus insisted that we come through.
About the Caucus
Guest Speaker Dennis McKinney along with Caucus member Alan, Washington Days 2025
The Food and Farm Caucus aims to foster active interest in farm and food issues, facilitate rural and urban participation in the Kansas Democratic Party, and attract candidates that will support food and farm issues, including community-based agriculture. In 2023 we did a survey of members on their views on a variety of issues - read here for our Statement of Care.
For more information on the Caucus, please visit our home page at Harvestblue.org/foodfarm.
PS: The Caucus honors our Kansas agricultural heritage, and so we never miss a chance to promote this rendition of Home on the Range from Friends University Music Department -- sharing this is an annual Kansas Day tradition. Enjoy.