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Kelly, Beam tout value-added industry growth at Ag Summit

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says investments in infrastructure have helped expand value-added opportunities for ag businesses and farmers.

She tells Brownfield her administration continues to update roads, bridges and railways. “We’ve got great infrastructure.  We’re improving on that all the time.  We just announced (about) 11 to 15 shoreline projects that will help our producers get their products to market more cost effectively and efficiently.”

She says quality infrastructure is an area that can attract out-of-state companies to invest in the state. “You can’t build anything if you don’t have a foundation. Those infrastructure projects create the foundation that allow us to grow.”

Ag Director Mike Beam tells Brownfield there’s been significant investments in the soybean, wheat and dairy industries. “We’re right in the middle of the United States. We’re in the heart of the production side.  If we can create the value here, that gives us the opportunity to move products coast-to-coast and even internationally.”

 Amber Wave – the world’s largest protein plant opened in Phillipsburg earlier this month. Hilmar Dairy announced plans to build the country’s largest cheese and whey processing facility in Dodge City.  Bartlett Co. will build a soy crushing plant in Montgomery County. 

Brownfield and Beam spoke with Brownfield at the 2022 Kansas Ag Summit.