Kansas Department of Agriculture

Kansas Agriculture

Agriculture is the largest industry in the state of Kansas. In 2010, Kansas produced more than $2.7 billion in agriculture exports. Kansas farmers provide food for Americans and people in 102 different countries around the world.

Nicknamed the Wheat State and the Sunflower State for its high production of these crops, Kansas is also the top grain sorghum-producing state in the nation and third in beef production. There are more than twice as many cattle in Kansas than people.

At 28.2 million acres, Kansas has the second-most cropland of any state and the most cropland of any state by percentage. These fertile soils are tended by hardworking, ingenuitive Kansans. In 1940, one Kansas farmer fed 19 people. Today, one Kansas farmer feeds 155 people. Through advancements of technology and research, Kansas farmers will continue to feed more people with fewer resources in the future.

Kansas Department of Agriculture

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is the state agency devoted to the total support  of agriculture in Kansas.  The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector, including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The department is dedicated to providing support and assistance to make Kansas businesses successful and encouraging more farms, ranches and other agriculture business to expand in or relocate to Kansas.

Within this role, the Kansas Department of Agriculture also fulfills its statutory responsibility of regulating business functions in accordance with state law. The department works to ensure businesses know what laws affect them and how they can ensure they are in compliance with those laws. In this process, the department aims to minimize excessive rules and regulation.

Kansas Department of Agriculture Divisions and Programs

The Kanas Department of Agriculture is made up of a variety of divisions and programs that perform different administrative, marketing, regulatory and other services. Those sections are listed below.

Administrative Services

     Agriculture Statistics

     Fiscal Section

     Human Resources

     Information Technology

     Legal Section

     Office of the Secretary

Agricultural and Business Services

     Agriculture Laboratory

     Agriculture Marketplace Protection

          Agricultural Commodities Assurance Program  (ACAP)

          Grain Warehouse

          Weights & Measures

     Dairy Inspection

     Food Safety and Lodging

     Meat and Poultry Inspection

     Plant Protection and Weed Control

     Pesticide and Fertilizer

Agricultural Marketing, Advocacy and Outreach Team

Animal Health Division

     Animal Disease Traceability

     Animal Facilities Inspection Program

     Brand Division

Conservation Division

Emergency Management

Water Resources Division

     Appropriations

     Management Services

     Structures