Department of Commerce
GROWN FROM THE
Agriculture in Kansas
Born from methods of sickle and scythe, plow and mule to the new technologically advanced evolution of combines and semis using satellite technology, Kansas is a powerhouse of agriculture production and related industry products. Whether it’s our commitment to crop research, ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply or remaining a top commodity producing state, Kansas’ commitment to agriculture continues to flourish. Kansas feed and forage production is an important sector of the state’s agricultural economy. Kansas livestock producers are a major outlet for hay, silage and feed grains that are produced within the state’s borders. Our state ranks first in the nation in wheat and sorghum production1. And we are also a leader in the production of cattle, sunflowers, bison, hogs and soybeans.
Kansas is home to agricultural equipment manufacturing and sales companies in a broad range of sizes and specializations, which combined with a strong customer base and supportive state policies make Kansas a prime location for growth in the ag equipment manufacturing and sales sector. Kansas farmers and ranchers take their job of feeding the world seriously through innovative and sustainable practices, and our business environment matches our work ethic. If you're looking to expand or relocate your ag-related business, look no further than Kansas. We didn’t just find our home on the range, we cultivated it and inspired healthy, wholesome and abundant living right in the middle.
KANSAS IS RANKED
#1 IN WHEAT AND SORGHUM PRODUCTION IN THE U.S. 2 B&W Trailer Hitches - Humbolt, KS
2 � NASS 2020, � KSA 2019, � BEA REA 2020
Thomas Cattle Co. - Richfield, KS
AGCO - Hesston, KS
IGP - Kansas State University - Manhattan, KS
KANSAS AGRICULTURE ACCOUNTS FOR
AGRICULTURE ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN
$4.8 B
$5 B
OF THE STATE’S ANNUAL EXPORTS 1
OF THE KANSAS YEARLY GDP.3
3
Distance to Market from Kansas
Kansas is served by a comprehensive rail network comprised of 4,257 miles (6,851 km) of total track, which is the sixth largest network in the nation.1
Whether by highway, rail or air, Kansas offers excellent transportation and marketing advantages for your business. Centrally located and focused on building and maintaining an outstanding multimodal infrastructure, it is easier and less expensive to ship to and from Kansas.
Kansas’ central location and extensive network provides Kansas-based companies a safe and reliable route to major interstate highways that can connect them to 85 percent of the nation’s population in less than a two-day drive.
2
AVERAGE TIME FOR A GROUND PACKAGE TO REACH DESTINATION
KM I | 80 5
500 M
| 1,2 07
KM
7 5 0 MI
1,200 MI | 1,931 KM
K A N S A S
OVER THE ROAD 4
LOGISTICS / SHIPPING
RAIL TRANSPORT
AIR TRANSPORT
CLUSTERS OF AGRICULTURE-RELATED PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN KANSAS
70
35
This is a representation of agriculture-related businesses in the state of Kansas. Not all locations are shown. SOURCE: Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Agriculture, USDA and Kansas Dairy 2020
Grain Milling/Processing Facility
Dairy
USDA Beef/Poultry/Swine Processing Facility
Food or Beverage Manufacturer Interstate System
Kansas is home to more than 4,700 businesses2 connected to the agriculture industry across the state, including but not limited to agricultural machinery and chemical manufacturing, food production and processing and agronomy and horticultural services. Companies can leverage the many benefits of access to agricultural resources, a skilled workforce and our outstanding transportation infrastructure. Kansas is proud to be the home to a multitude of brands like:
Association of American Railroads
1
2 Database USA 2021
Notable Agriculture-Related Companies in Kansas Company
Locations
Employment
National Beef Packing Co., LLC
Dodge City / Liberal
6,400
Meat processing and packing
Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc.
Holcomb / Emporia / Hutchinson
5,048
Meat processing and packing
Cargill / Cargill Protein North America*
Wichita* / plus additional worksites
5,000
Meat processing and packing; soybean, corn, sunflower and palm oils
Kubota / Great Plains Manufacturing
Salina/ Edgerton/ Abilene/Tipton/ Ellsworth/Lucas/Kipp/Enterprise/Assaria
1,700
AGCO Corporation
Hesston
Simmons Pet Food
Emporia
1,164
Seaboard Foods, LLC*
Shawnee Mission plus additional worksites
1,100
Pork processing
Hill’s Pet Nutrition*
Topeka* / Emporia
1,031
Pet food manufacturer
Landoll Corporation*
Marysville
900
Agricultural equipment manufacturer
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Junction City / Wichita
900
Packaged meat production; meat processing and packing
Creekstone Farms
Arkansas City
800
Meat processing
John Deere Ag Marketing Center* / John Deere Coffeyville Works
Olathe / Coffeyville
800
North America Ag marketing and sales / power transmission equipment
SugarCreek Packing Co.., Inc.
Frontenac
544
Raw and cooked bacon bits and strips for the retail / food service
Caterpillar
Wamego
400
Agricultural equipment manufacturer
Dairy Farmers of America., Inc.*
Kansas City, Kansas* / Garden City
375
Dairy products and food ingredients
Frontier AG*
Goodland* / plus additional Locations
330
Grain, feed and petroleum supplier
ADM Milling
Overland Park / Arkansas City/ Dodge City plus additional locations
270
Agricultural processor: flour, feed, beans, oilseed and animal nutrition products
Wenger*
Sabetha
260
Extruder and dryer manufacturer for food and feed industry
Empirical Foods
Garden City
250
Value-added beef processing
Valley Vet
Marysville
250
Logistics distribution of agriculture supplies
Syracuse Dairy, LLC
Syracuse
229
Dairy farm
Grain Craft
Overland Park / Kansas City, Kansas / McPherson / Wichita / Manhattan
120
Grain milling producer of premium bulk and bagged flours
Forget-Me-Not Farms
Cimarron
85
Dairy Farm
1,200
Description
Manufacturing and distribution of agricultural equipment and implements Agricultural equipment manufacturer Pet food manufacturer
*Indicates headquarters or regional headquarters presence in Kansas. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Labor, Kansas Manufacturing Solutions
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Educational Assets and Resources K12 EDUCATION AND CAREER PIPELINE PROGRAMS Kansas offers a variety of innovative and specialized programs to prepare K-12 students for entry into either secondary education or the workforce. While in high school, some students opt to be fully immersed in a professional culture, using industry standard tools and mentoring by actual employers while receiving high school and college credit. These innovative programs allow students to build upon their interests to gain specific knowledge and learn relevant skills – and this allows businesses, communities and public education systems to partner and produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of tomorrow for high-skill, highdemand jobs in agriculture and animal health. GREEN TECH ACADEMY located at Olathe West High School, Green Tech Academy is one of the only places in the nation where high school students have access to indepth study of renewable energy and sustainability. This four-year program stands to produce the next generation of skilled workers ranging from wind turbine technicians to environmental engineers and sustainable farmers, and more. 4H AND FFA programs in the state of Kansas give youth the opportunity to immerse themselves in STEM, agriculture, healthy living and civic engagement within their communities. These hands-on experiences, both in the classrooms and in community clubs, have created a rich environment of agriculture experiences across the state. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of
Kansas offers a variety of specialized training programs centered around the agriculture industry.
students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Kansas 4-H has an annual participation of over 93,000 youth and Kansas FFA has an annual participation of over 9,800 students every year. KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY (KSTATE) is a major comprehensive public research university with an enrollment of more than 24,0001. The College of Agriculture, ranked 4th in the nation for best agriculture college, is a leader in addressing the challenges facing the global food crisis and human and animal health and biosecurity across the country. As the nation’s first land-grant university, K-State offers a wide variety of facilities and programs for businesses and partners to use throughout the state to expand Kansas’ footprint in the food processing and agriculture sector. Kansas State University offers the nation’s only milling science and management bachelor’s degree. USAID FEED THE FUTURE LABS drawing on the expertise of top U.S. universities and developingcountry research institutions. USAID Feed the Future Labs tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges in agriculture and food security. K-State is home to four labs, the most out of any university in the country. In partnership with students, faculty and industry, USAID is making great strides to ensure sustainable agriculture across the globe. 1
KBOR 2020
Agriculture, food and beverage manufacturing-related industries support approximately 109,000 jobs, or 7.4%, of the workforce in the state of Kansas. 3, 4, 5
32,000
29,500
18,000
6,000
4,000
1,500
17,500
Animal Production
Crop Production
Meat Production
Ag Equipment Manufacturing
Pet Food Manufacturing
Confectionery Manufacturing
Other Food Manufacturing
3 Kansas Department of Labor 2020, 4 Labor Market Information Services, 5 Kansas Wage Survey 2019
Rock Creek Cattle Co. - Penokee, KS
WHAT DO GOODYEAR TIRES, SKECHERS SNEAKERS AND CHAPSTICK ALL HAVE IN COMMON? SOYBEANS ARE A MAJOR INGREDIENT; KANSAS RANKS 8TH IN SOYBEAN PRODUCTION.
Johnson County Community College Horticulute - Overland Park, KS
Industry Resources There are a variety of post-secondary programs in the state to grow a workforce ready for the animal health, agriculture and related industry sectors.
THE NATIONAL BIO AND AGRODEFENSE FACILITY (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas, will be America’s foremost animal disease research facility. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to bring online this $1.25 billion state-of-the-art facility that will help to protect the nation’s agriculture, farmers and citizens against the threat and potential impact of serious animal diseases. The Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory is expected to be operational by 2022-23. BIOSECURITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (BRI) located on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, Kansas is a BSL-3 biocontainment research and education facility. The BRI provides research, education, and training space to support animal disease scientists, food safety researchers, plant pathologists, entomologists, and those studying the basic molecular biology of high-consequence pathogens.
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THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR EMERGING AND ZOONOTIC ANIMAL DISEASES (CEEZAD) at Kansas State University was established in 2010 to help protect the nation’s agricultural and public health sectors against
high-consequence foreign animal, emerging and zoonotic disease threats. CEEZAD’s principal missions include specialized vaccine development, expansion of technologies and platforms for pathogen detection, and education and training programs for students, veterinarians, first responders, and researchers in high-impact animal diseases and animal emergencies. THE ARTHROPODBORNE ANIMAL DISEASES RESEARCH UNIT (ABADRU) is a part of the Center for Grain and Animal Health Research (CGAHR) in Manhattan, Kansas. CGAHR operates under a branch of the USDA known as ARS, or the Agricultural Research Service. The ABADRU conducts research on the diagnosis and control of livestock diseases that are transmitted by arthropods. BULK SOLIDS INNOVATION CENTER (BSIC) located in Salina is a university-level research center dedicated to the study of bulk solids material handling. The BSIC is the only one of its kind in North America and supports industries across the globe through research, consulting and education on these materials and systems using its material properties test lab. THE FOOD SCIENCE INSTITUTE at Kansas State University facilitates training for students supporting research initiatives. The
K-State Polytechnic is ranked #2 for its UAS program, which is dedicated to researching and implementing UAS for precision agriculture.
Tony’s Pizza in Salina sources over 108 million pounds of flour from Kansas milling facilities for their pizzas every year.
Commerce Staff - Hutchinson, KS
AgEagle Aerial Systems - Wichita, KS
Institute provides technical and scientific information to consumers, the food industry and governmental agencies. State-of-the-art laboratories and pilot plants are available to fulfill research, teaching and extension missions. INTERNATIONAL GRAINS PROGRAM helps to provide technical, research-based training benefitting food industry professionals globally, and enhancing the market preference for U.S. grains and oilseeds. The core curriculum focuses on feed manufacturing, grain marketing and management, and flour milling. The Kansas Wheat Innovation Center (KWIC) represents the state’s single largest farmer investment in wheat research. The KWIC features 15,000 square feet of research laboratories and 22,750 square feet of greenhouses supporting the goal of getting improved wheat varieties into the hands of farmers faster. The KWIC is also home to the world-renowned Wheat Genetics Resource Center. THE ANIMAL HEALTH CORRIDOR anchored by Manhattan, Kansas and Columbia, Missouri, is home to more than 300 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration in the world. The Corridor hosts the Animal Health Investment Forum, which provides a unique opportunity for venture capital funds, investment firms and animal health companies to engage with emerging companies showcasing the newest technologies. AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS COUNCIL (KANSAS CITY AND WICHITA) is an association that advocates growth and awareness of the food, fiber, agri-science and related industries in both the Kansas City region and South Central Kansas. The goal is to bring awareness and better understanding to a pivotal industry in the Midwest by joining together regional agricultural organizations, agribusinesses and other key leaders.
DFA COLAB ACCELERATOR is a 90-day immersive program based in Kansas City, Kansas. DFA combines on-site meetings and virtual programs to provide training, growth opportunities, and mentorship for early stage food product and ag-tech companies. AG TECH STARTUP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM Silicon Valley-based ‘Plug and Play’ chose Topeka, Kansas, for its Animal Health and Ag Tech Startup Accelerator. Plug and Play works collaboratively with the industry leaders in Kansas City to identify key industry challenges in animal health and ag-tech. This program includes the development of a large-scale animal health innovation campus to house the program, as well as research and development labs and office space for startups and corporate innovation partners. TECHACCEL, LLC is a development company focused on advancing innovation in the agriculture, animal health and food technology sectors. Partner companies use TechAccel to collaboratively advance and de-risk technologies while reducing time to market. TechAccel partners with global industry leaders, global industry strategics and relevant venture capital firms to assist innovative industry startups.
An innovative leader in the dairy farming community, McCarty Family Farms is a Certified B Corporation®. This certification is awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance. . 9
Available Incentives Kansas has various valuable incentive programs that are available to agriculture-related companies to assist in reducing their cost of locating or expanding business operations in Kansas. •Withholding Tax Incentives
•Sales Tax Exemption on Items Consumed in Production
•Training and Retraining Assistance
•Sales Tax Exemption on Production Machinery and Equipment
•Corporate Income Tax Credits •Property Tax Exemption on Machinery and
•No Inventory Tax •No State or Local Earnings Tax
Equipment by State Statute •Sales Tax Exemption for Construction, Build Out, Remodel, Furnish and Equip Worksite •Sales Tax Exemption on Utilities Consumed in Production •Research and Development Tax Credit
•Funding Dedicated to Transportation Improvements •Utility Incentives to Offset Rate Costs •USDA Loan and Grant Programs •77 Designated Opportunity Zones •Angel Investor Credits
•Sales Tax Exemption on Ingredients or Component Parts
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The population of Kansas is more than 2.9 million.
Median Age 37.1 21% Generation Z and 20% are Millennials.
91% of Kansas adults have a high school diploma.
Kansas’ median housing cost is $145,400.
Top States for Business
Kansas Achieves High Rankings
2020 AreaDevelopment
Kansas Ranks 6th
Kansas recognized as the most improved state in the country.
U.S. News & World Report Best States 2019
Kansas recognized as the most improved state in the country.
2019 Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report
« Kansans, on average, experience a 19-minute commute... the sixth quickest commute in the country. « The most common non-English languages spoken in Kansas are Spanish, Vietnamese, German and Chinese.2 « Ranking No. 10 in the nation for affordable healthcare costs and No. 15 for overall healthcare system, Kansas offers quality healthcare at an affordable price.3
Council for Community and Economic Research 2020, 2 US Census Bureau 2019, 3 Wallethub 2020
Empire Candle Co. - Kansas City, KS
3%
HIGHER
66% OF KANSANS ARE IN THE LABOR FORCE, WHICH IS
Kansas ranks 5th in sunflower production – and
THAN THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES.1
it’s the official state flower.
Tuttle Creek Lake - Manhattan, KS
KANSAS RANKS NATIONALLY IN THE
Top 5 FOR COST OF LIVING AT 12.1% BELOW THE U.S. AVERAGE2
Fresh Farmers’ Market - Lawrence, KS
B&B Hydraulics - Hutchinson, KS
Department of Commerce
1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 100 Topeka, Kansas 66612-1354 785-296-5298 | kansascommerce.gov
rev. 5.11.2021