Regulations and policies that affect agriculture should be reviewed in a structured manner that considers new scientific research and development of production practices so as not to hinder the growth of agricultural businesses. The agricultural stereotypes of yesteryear will perpetuate unless leaders in agriculture continue their efforts in educating the young and the old, the rural and the urban in Kansas and beyond. Since these growing numbers of consumers and citizens have been removed from the farm by several generations, informative efforts should be made to educate the public about producer improvements to the environment with best management practices. These proposals are submitted to the governor after considering numerous aspects of the diverse Kansas agricultural industry and their challenges. Rationale for Recommendation 1 New technologies provide opportunities to convert agricultural commodities into food and industrial products specifically demanded by consumers.
Additional emphasis is needed to take new product technology development to a higher level.
Kansas State University has provided leadership in agricultural value-added technologies in Kansas. Iowa, Oklahoma and Nebraska have developed value-added centers on the campuses of their land grant universities. The best developed of these is at Iowa State University where numerous industries have worked closely with university researchers to develop, pilot produce, and test-market products derived from soybeans and corn. These industries have stayed in Iowa and have grown, creating jobs and economic development, as well as higher value uses for Iowa grains. Businesses tend to stay in the state where the assistance is available and relationships are long-lasting.