Beef industry stakeholders from across the state of Kansas participated in the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Leadership Conference Jan. 22-23 in Topeka, KS. The two-day educational seminar exposed attendees to services provided by KLA, advocacy training and the legislative process.
While at the Capitol, the group attended a Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee meeting and heard from KLA lobbyists on how they protect member interests during the legislative process. During the committee meeting, participants were able to witness KLA lobbyists introduce a bill for consideration, providing insight to how issues travel from members to policymakers in the state’s capital. Conference attendees also had a chance to meet with their respective legislators to discuss important beef and dairy industry issues.
As part of the conference, members took part in an interactive advocacy training session led by KLA staff and WIBW-Topeka farm broadcaster Greg Akagi. Participants were given an overview of the importance of being an industry advocate and the various media outlets available to help them reach consumers who want to know more about how and where their food is produced.
In addition, the Kansas Beef Council provided information on how checkoff dollars are used to promote beef, support important industry research and educate consumers about the benefits of including beef in a healthy diet.
This year’s class brings the total number of graduates of the leadership training program to 728 since it was initiated in 1981. Sponsors of the biennial event included the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, Pinion and the Kansas Livestock Foundation. — KLA
