experience On the high plains of far northwestern Kansas, the state’s newest byway celebrates the people and practices that feed the country and world. The Land and Sky Scenic Byway—an 88-mile route along U.S. Highway 27 from Sharon Springs north to the Kansas-Nebraska state line—showcases agriculture, agribusinesses, and the communities they support. For the traveler who expects vast expanses of flat land, the byway also holds a few surprises. AGRICULTURE The history of agriculture here, as elsewhere in the state, is the story of resilience and revolution. When Mennonite immigrants introduced a new variety of wheat to Kansas in 1874, production skyrocketed. Wheat is now second only to cattle on the list of the state’s top agriculture products. The advent of machines, first powered by horses and later motorized, transformed farming operations. Today, residents see the future in agribusinesses, such as 21st Century Bean, a farmer-owned cooperative in Sharon Springs that processes and packages dried beans, and in agritourism enterprises like the Kuhrt Ranch in Edson. The ranch grew from a one-room sod house in the 1880s to a working farm and ranch resort where guests can enjoy the best of the state’s wildlife—pheasant, quail, wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, even the occasional bobcat— and arrange for custom hunting trips.
Van Gogh’s seven sunflower paintings on a “canvas” that measures 23-by-32 feet and sits atop an 80-foot-tall steel easel. Local artists, inspired by Cross’ work, have placed smaller paintings throughout Goodland city parks. ARIKAREE BREAKS At the northern edge of the byway, get off the main road and experience the unique topography of the Arikaree Breaks in Cheyenne County. Here, the typical high plains landscape of gently rolling hills gives way to an unexpectedly wild panorama of deep ravines and gullies cut through the loess (wind-blown silt) that formed the breaks. Though water can be scarce, cattle thrive on the grasses that cover the hills here, and some plants native to the Arikaree Breaks are not found anywhere else in Kansas. The Arikaree Breaks are 14 miles north of St. Francis on the northern edge of Cheyenne County. Please respect private property and stay on roads. —Julie Tollefson
about the
byway GETTING THERE Interstate 70, Exit 17, U.S. Highway 36, U.S. Highway 40. All three highways cross the scenic byway. LENGTH 88 miles TIME TO TRAVEL 1.5 hours, without stops ROADWAY Kansas Highway 27 WHEN TO SEE Wheat harvest, late June–early July; Sunflowers, early to mid-August– early September; Corn harvest, end of September–end of October; Milo harvest, September–October; Soybean harvest, September. SERVICES Gas, food and lodging are available in all three counties and in the communities of St. Francis, Goodland, and Sharon Springs. RESOURCES Cheyenne County Development Corporation (785) 332-3508 ccdcks.com
WORLD’S LARGEST PAINTING ON AN EASEL From Edson head west to Goodland, the Sunflower Capital of Kansas and site of one of the most unusual pieces of art in the state. Canadian artist Cameron Cross erected the third sculpture in his international Van Gogh Project series near the intersection of Cherry Avenue and U.S. Highway 24. The artwork reproduces one of
Sherman County Convention & Visitors Bureau (785) 890-3515 visitgoodland.com
Kansas Byways
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Wallace County Visitors Bureau (785) 891-3564 travelwallace.com ksbyways.org