Cami Koons

woman with short dark hair holds a blue scoop full of oats up to a white horse, who munches on the oats. The woman has her hand on the horses face.

Heart’s Pursuit Ranch Offers Horse Powered Healing

By Vicky Diaz-Camacho, Cami Koons | August 11, 2023

Sarah Hanson, founded Heart's Pursuit Ranch, which pairs individuals and horses together to help folks deal with anything from trauma to self-confidence.

Drink Green Juice, Save a Donkey

By Cami Koons, Maddie Main | July 28, 2023

Zen Donkey Farms is an organic juice company in the Kansas City area that uses proceeds to support a donkey rescue and animal-assisted therapy nonprofit.

young cows with tags on their ears stand in the mud of a hoop barn.

Missouri Cattle Producers Slash Herds Amid Worsening Drought

By Cami Koons | July 20, 2023

The worsening drought in Missouri is forcing livestock producers to sell off their cattle herds, decisions that will be felt at the supermarket cash register.

A vertical sign on a tall brick and white stone building reads "FOX" lower down a digital marquee reads "Sound of freedom"

Rural Rebirth: The Art of Being Atchison

By Cami Koons | July 14, 2023

Atchison has enough historical attractions that put it — and keep it — on the map. But the people of this rustic river town want more for their community.

an older man in a cap, jeans and a plaid shirt props a basket of lavender up against a fence. on the fence, a sign reads "Lavender Hill Farm"

Lavender Farm Supports Organization Battling Sex Trafficking

By Cami Koons | July 11, 2023

“Joe never gives up on a plant,” Jenny Steineger said as her husband parted a seemingly dead lavender bush to reveal new growth at its core. An unseasonably early winter cold snap resulted in a rather puny harvest for the Steinegers at Lavender Hill Farm in Kansas City, Kansas. “That’s farming,” she said with a…

A stone building with bluish green metal on the front reads "Hall of Waters" a stone water tower is on top of the building, as is a flag.

Rural Rebirth: Excelsior Springs, Eternally

By Cami Koons | June 23, 2023

Excelsior Springs faced the same fate as many rural towns, declining population and vacant downtown buildings. But that didn't happen. Here's its rural rebirth.

rolling prairie land with colorful native plants and lush green. the sky is overcast and a storm can be seen in the distance.

Missouri Farmers Embrace Practices to Protect Waterways

By Cami Koons | June 20, 2023

Missouri farmers are implementing sustainable practices that protect waterways and improve the sustainability of their operations.

A man in a gray shirt and black pants bends over a row of short bean plants situated at the base of a trellis. With his hand he demonstrates the size of the beans yielded by the plants to address food security.

A Lawrence Farmer’s Innovative Approach to Food Security

By Cami Koons | June 7, 2023

LAWRENCE, Kansas — Pantaleon Florez III looks at food security as an issue to be solved. He asks those working in local food systems (and himself) what they would do if their community didn’t have a hunger issue. “That’s my new narrative: ‘What would you do if you didn’t have to do this work?’”…

A collage of five people, with a transgender flag and a pride flag.

In Their Own Words: Testimonies from Trans Kansas Citians

By Cody Boston, Cami Koons | May 29, 2023

Kansas Citians share their stories of life in the trans community and the pursuit of gender-affirming care.

Folks hold up pink white and blue signs that read "We Are Still Here" at a transgender rights protest in Kansas City.

‘Transas City’: KC Offers Sanctuary Amid Anti-Trans Push

By Cami Koons, Vicky Diaz-Camacho, Cody Boston | May 18, 2023

A loud clatter of skateboards, abandoned by riders grinning at a near wipeout, interrupts conversations among friends and new acquaintances. It’s the first time Late-Nite Bite, a monthly sober and queer event, has set up shop at Goofball Sk8boards in the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City, and it’s clearly a success. Late-Nite Bite…

Stories by Cami Koons