On Thursday, the acting Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Josh Svaty spoke at the annual conference of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Wheat Commission. For the Associated Press article in the Topeka Capital Journal, click here. During the speech, Svaty spoke about a desire for the USDA to take a lead in overseeing climate change policy because of the USDA’s dual role, similar to the dual role of Kansas’s Department of Ag.
“We are a regulatory agency, but we also promote the industry of agriculture and the Kansas farmer and rancher," Svaty said as the annual conference of Kansas wheat growers opened in Wichita. "It is important for us as we regulate to understand just how complicated and how up and down the industry of agriculture can be."He also said the state should work to minimize the costs and maximize the benefits to Kansas’s farmers.
But Kansas farmers are not so enthusiastic about climate change policy.
“Right now I don't know any farmers who are excited discussing climate change, let alone any legislation concerning climate change," said Paul Penner, KAWG president and a Hillsboro farmer.Posted: 07/31/09
He said most of the farmers he has spoken to believe the climate change issue is "contrived," but realize that in today's political environment they need to influence the legislation.
