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Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) mourns the recent passing of former association chairman and Distinguished Service Award winner Jarold "Jerry" Boettcher. Boettcher was born on May 19, 1940 and sadly passed away on August 21, 2022. He was instrumental in the association's formative years, helping transform it into a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade association. He devised the, "Boettcher Formula" which facilitated the orderly transfer of monies between Kansas Fertilizer and Chemical Institute and the later-named KARA. Boettcher served as KARA's chairman in 1989 and his financial expertise was critical in assuring the crop...

Well known businessman in the agriculture and heavy construction businesses, Eugene C. “Corky” Beachner, died unexpectedly at 1:40 a.m., Thursday, August 25, 2022 at his home in Parsons. Corky was born October 17, 1943 on the family farm east of St. Paul, to Fred and Anna (Brazil) Beachner. He graduated from St. Paul High School in 1961. When asked where he went to college, many times Corky would reply, “I went to the University of Hard Knocks.” On August 4, 1962 he and Alice Trout were married at St. Patrick Catholic...

Following the inability of comprehensive water legislation to pass the Kansas House of Representatives during the 2022 legislative session, a special joint committee featuring members of the Kansas House and Senate held informational hearings on the status of water issues this week. The previously proposed legislation would have added new water use fees on Kansas irrigators and made sweeping changes to the state’s groundwater management districts. The legislation, as introduced, was broadly opposed by agriculture. The committee, chaired by Senator Dan Kerschen (R-Garden Plain), received presentations from multiple state boards and agencies...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Environment, Bureau of Air, has published proposed amendments to its air quality regulations K.A.R. 28-19-517 regarding Class I operating permits, annual emissions inventory, and fees; K.A.R. 28-19-546 regarding Class II operating permits, annual emission inventory, and fees; and K.A.R. 28-19-564 regarding Class II operating permits, permits-by-rule, and sources with actual emissions less than 50 percent of major source thresholds. Public Hearing - The agency will conduct a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 2022, in Room 530, Curtis State...

Modified to a one-day endeavor, the 2022 KARA annual meeting featured a short business session followed by a golf tournament at Kansas’ No. 1 ranked public course, Colbert Hills, in Manhattan on August 23. Nearly 80 members enjoyed the temperate weather and pristine conditions on the course following a business session conducted by KARA chairman Dustin Kuntz and the association’s President and CEO Ron Seeber. Posted by Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 Kuntz and Seeber teamed up to review the association’s endeavors in 2021 and 2022 as well as an...

APPLICATION LINK PROVIDED BY KDOT Effective August 16, 2022, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will have $5 million available through the Short Line Rail Improvement Fund (SLRIF) for railroad improvement projects. Qualified entities that may submit an application include: any Class III (short line) or Class II railroad, as defined in 49 C.F.R., part 1201.1 holding a certificate of public convenience from the Surface Transportation Board and any owner or lessee (shipper) located on a Class III or Class II railroad in coordination with the serving railroad. Of total project costs,...

On June 30, 2022, EPA announced it has re-evaluated the current atrazine level of concern (LOC), which is 15 ppb, and “determined” in its proposed revised interim registration review decision (IRRD) that the LOC is 3.4 ppb with additional label mitigation measures required for atrazine use. EPA has extended the comment period to October 7, 2022. In its announcement, EPA stated: “After considering comments on the proposed revisions to the atrazine ID, EPA will determine if any changes are warranted to the proposed revisions and then release its decision on this...

The Kansas Department of Commerce is hosting an apprenticeship champion training on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Garden City Community College. The goal of the program is to build and grow Registered Apprenticeship in Kansas. Learn more about the basics of Registered Apprenticeship, its History, Hallmarks, and develop a Sales Strategy. Registration capabilities and more information are available via the button below. LEARN MORE...

Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks. As a result, many older cell phones and other mobile devices will be unable to use data services. This may impact motor carriers if their ELDs rely on a 3G network to record hours of service (HOS) data and transfer it to a safety official. The first announced 3G sunset date is February 22, 2022, when AT&T will complete the shutdown of its 3G network. Any ELD that requires 3G cellular connectivity to perform its functionality will no longer be in compliance with...

Sponsorships Available for National Teacher Professional Development Event Nutrients for Life Foundation is excited to announce that we will be in-person this summer for our national teacher Professional Development, Fertilizer - Life's Main Ingredient, Fueling Your Future. Teachers will gather in Bonner Springs, KS July 27-28 to engage in hands-on soil science and fertilizer lessons they can take back to their classrooms. Interested in Sponsoring to Support Soil Science Education? Breakfast $750 Lunch $2000 Snack $500 1 day $1000 2 day $2000 General Donation Email Melissa Bigge to support or if you...

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