Agriculture

The Groves family lived in this large home; “The Country Gentleman,” a national agricultural publication, described it as a “22-room palace.” (Contributed)

Cultivating History Pt. 1: ‘Potato King’ Earning New Renown

By Brian Burnes | February 18, 2025

Junius G. Groves is having a moment. Community knowledge of the African American potato farmer, who died 100 years ago this August, is growing after largely having vanished from the collective memory of Kansas, where he arrived carrying 90 cents in 1879. A new documentary, “The Potato King,” directed by filmmaker Jacob Handy, premiers Thursday…

Sprinklers irrigate a field in Hamilton County, Kansas, where some farmers have petitioned to be removed from a local groundwater management district. State lawmakers are pressuring the district to do more to conserve water in the Ogallala Aquifer.

‘Time for a Reckoning.’ Kansas Farmers Brace for Water Cuts to Save Ogallala Aquifer

By Allison Kite, Kevin Hardy, Stateline | June 13, 2024

After decades of local inaction, Kansas lawmakers are pushing for big changes in irrigation to conserve water and save the Ogallala Aquifer.

A crowd of people gather in the background of an image, taken down a row of boxes, low to the ground. The boxes are full of yellow and red tomatoes and read "Missouri Grown" and "Fresh Missouri Produce"

Do We Have a Bid? Auctions Sell Produce by the Lot

By Cami Koons | June 6, 2024

Produce auctions in Missouri and Kansas allow wholesale buyers to shop local, offering a key link in the food distribution chain.

David Friesen, founder and head beekeeper of Bee KC, checks on bees that will be added to the hives at Tom's Town.

Nurturing the Sweet Nectar of Urban Beekeeping

By Joyce Smith | May 30, 2024

Kansas City businesses seeking locally sourced honey are embracing urban beekeeping. Meet some who seek to shorten the food chain and support the environment.