Earlier in March, SiX joined legislators, farmers, and community leaders for an economic summit hosted by the Kansas African American Legislative Caucus to discuss opportunities to strengthen rural economies and support agricultural producers across the state.
The event created space for policymakers and producers to share their experiences and explore how state policy can better reflect the needs of farmers and rural communities, particularly Kansas farmers of color. Conversations emphasized the value of bringing farmers, advocates, and legislators together to learn from one another and identify practical solutions that support a thriving Kansas food and farm system.
Kansas Rep. KC Ohaebosim, chair of the Kansas African-American Legislative Caucus led the conversation, highlighting the importance of connecting policymaking with the lived experiences of farmers and rural communities. By creating a space where producers could engage directly with policymakers, the summit underscored how collaborative dialogue can strengthen the policy process and help ensure that rural economic development strategies reflect the realities facing farmers today.
Rep. Ohaebosim had this to say about the gathering:
“Strengthening opportunities for Black farmers requires consistency and a long-term strategy. Gatherings like this bring farmers, policymakers, and community partners together to stay focused on the structural issues shaping land ownership, access to resources, and rural economic development. When we commit to doing this work together over time, we create real opportunities for the next generation of farmers.”
Across the country, state legislators are recognizing the importance of ensuring that agricultural policy conversations include the voices of farmers who have historically been underrepresented in policymaking spaces. Black farmers have played a vital role in shaping the agricultural landscape of the United States, and events like the Kansas economic summit demonstrate how bringing those voices directly into policy discussions can help inform stronger and more responsive solutions.
Rep. Ohaebosim addresses the audience at the summit.
The Kansas gathering aligns with other models of engagement between legislators and Black farmers happening across the country. Illinois Representative and CROP Sonya Harper has led the way through the now-nationally recognized Black Farmer Lobby Day, which brings farmers to the state capitol to engage directly with lawmakers about the issues shaping their work and livelihoods. That model of connection between policymakers and producers continues to inspire similar conversations in other states. As a result of these efforts by Rep. Harper, the SiX team is working to bring groups of legislators from other states to Rep. Harper’s annual gathering to learn, build relationships, and exchange ideas and continue expanding the movement for Black farmer equity across the region.
The Kansas summit reflects that same spirit of collaboration. By convening farmers, legislators, and community leaders in one room, the event helped strengthen relationships and create space for shared learning about the opportunities and challenges facing Black farmers and rural communities.
A central part of the summit was a panel discussion featuring farmers and agricultural leaders working across Kansas. Among the speakers was Kenneth Palmer from the SiX Ag Team, who spoke about supporting Black farmers and strengthening rural communities through collaboration between policymakers and producers. Palmer, himself a descendant of Black farmers from Kansas, reflected on the importance of bringing community voices directly into policymaking conversations about agricultural policy and rural development.
The panel was moderated by JohnElla Holmes, CEO and President of the Kansas Black Farmers Association, which has spent nearly three decades supporting farmers through education, networking, and advocacy. It featured Nick Levendofsky of the Kansas Farmers Union, Donna Pearson McClish of Common Ground Kansas, and a representative from the Kansas Livestock Association. Together, the panel discussed issues facing Black farmers and farmers in general through a rural livability framework.
The event included a keynote address from Lt. Governor David Toland, who spoke about the importance of partnerships across state agencies, policymakers, producers, and communities in building stronger rural economies. Throughout the day, participants discussed topics such as land ownership, agricultural opportunity, and the importance of collaboration among farmers, policymakers, and state institutions.
Holmes highlighted the historical significance of Black land ownership in the state. Kansas was once home to a significant number of Black landowners, she noted, but today Black farmers represent less than two percent of land ownership statewide. Her remarks underscored the importance of continued collaboration among farmers, policymakers, executive branch leaders, and community organizations to support the next generation of producers.