Last week, the Kansas Judicial Advisory Committee, with pressure from some Kansas legislators, the administration, and multi-national corporations siting constitutionality concerns, recommended that the Kansas corporate farming law be re-written so that multi-national corporations be allowed to buy up Kansas' natural resources and penetrate rural communities. In recent years, large farming corporations have tried to move into Kansas but have been met with a Kansas law that limits corporate involvement in agriculture, protecting the interests of Kansans by prohibiting corporations from owning or leasing agricultural land in Kansas. The law does make exemptions for family farm corporations and other small corporations and partnerships formed by Kansans. The law also makes exceptions for forest and nursery products, swine, rabbits, poultry, dairy and feedlot operations.

"This law was put in place by our Kansas legislators more than 80 years ago to protect our economy and rural communities and provide opportunities for Kansas farmers and ranchers to compete in the marketplace. Now, because of corporate interests, there are people that want to repeal or re-write this law. They are using constitutionality as their way out of this law, but no courts have found the Kansas law to be unconstitutional. There have been arguments that bringing large farm corporations in will help rural communities. However, these large farm corporations will compete with independent producers. Moreover, these out of state and foreign owned businesses do not help rejuvenate rural communities. Money leaves the community. Farming operations, owned by Kansans and local residents put money into the community; they have ties to the community and work collaboratively with neighbors to put value into the community," stated KCA CEO Brand y Carter.

KCA maintains that it is important to maintain Kansas corporate farming laws.  
 
"Small businesses, which consist of independent operations, are the backbone of Kansas economy. Independent producers, often living on the land, and family operations are not just a business though, it's a way of life. They have a vested interest in environmental stewardship because the land remains in the family for generations. Most importantly, food confidence and food safety are critical to our nation's health. Sourcing food from a larger number of smaller producers helps prevent mass contamination and protects the food system providing safe food for consumers."            

"This year, there seemed to be a lot of pressure on legislators in the state house by corporate interests and ag groups and leaders with corporate ties. There was a big lobbying push to change this law. Because it did not happen, other avenues are being used to circumvent the process of having the people being heard and represented. What is unfortunate is in the effort to address constitutionality, by rewriting this law, local and county rights could be taken away from the people of Kansas. KCA hopes that Kansas legislators will stand up and represent the people that voted them into office and value what Kansas farmers bring to their communities," concluded Carter.