Released: February 03, 2004

KARL Class Discusses Needs of Kansans

TOPEKA, Kan. – A group of Kansas agricultural and rural leaders met recently in Topeka to discuss the needs of Kansas’ citizens.

“The Needs of the Many” session of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) Class VII began with an informational session covering ‘The State of Banking, Ag Finance and Venture Capital’ and ended two days later with a presentation by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

The seminar gave the 30 KARL class participants the chance to learn from experts and top level government officials about the state’s financial condition, rural health care and other issues critical to legislators.

Class members also participated in what the program terms a “shadow” session – a chance to spend time learning first hand how our state representatives and senators spend their time.

The class also met with Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline.

“Attorney General Kline’s speech was inspiring and delivered with power and purpose,” said Andrea Stuber, KARL Class VII member from Eureka. Kline began by asking, what is the calling of America? Democracy? Freedom?

“Democracy without virtue is two wolves and a sheep deciding what is for dinner. The constitution is only paper. It is the people who make it work,” Kline said.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky spoke about agricultural promotion and regulations. He also discussed Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or Mad Cow Disease), saying that surveillance and firewalls are currently in place to help protect the food supply and that others may soon be proposed.

The bottom line is, “American beef is safe but we must continue taking preventative measures to protect the future of the industry and our consumers,” said Polansky.

KARL Class VII met with Lieutenant Governor John Moore and Governor Kathleen Sebelius on the final day of the seminar. Moore spoke about spearheading the 2003 Kansas Prosperity Summit. The summit leadership will put together a revitalization plan that includes a tax credit program for rural businesses and a $50 million pool that will encourage companies to move into the state. He also spoke about the use of foundations to help increase startup cash for such businesses.

Sebelius spoke about her goals for Kansas that included improving education, health care and strengthening the Kansas economy. Her main focus, she said, was to get the state back on track. Part of this will start with increasing the seed capital for rural businesses. That will, in turn, help the economy and help stem the trend toward decreasing population in rural Kansas.

“Our trained leaders can now help individuals understand the process of keeping rural and agricultural issues in the mix of general population needs, keeping the legislative body informed and they understand what their involvement might become in the future,” said KARL program director Jack Lindquist. “We helped give participants the opportunity to witness the legislative process, visit with key state legislators and the administrative branch and helped them learn more about critical agricultural issues, health care, finance and other timely issues so that they may assist in informing the general public of the inner workings of the system in which we live.”

The KARL Program is a two-year study, training and travel experience for future leaders of the agricultural industry and rural communities of Kansas. Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership, Inc., (KARL, Inc.), is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to identifying and developing leadership in order to enhance the quality of life for all Kansans. The KARL, Inc. goal is to educate, broaden the perspective, and enhance the leadership skills of young Kansans. KARL funding comes entirely from private sources. KARL, Inc., is a 501c3 - charitable, educational organization.

KARL training carries a value of $11,500 per person, provided by contributions from the private sector. Donations from individuals, organizations, companies, corporations and foundations provide over 80 percent of the per-person financing. The participants pay a tuition fee of $1,250 each of the two years for the remaining costs. People wishing to support the program can make tax deductible contributions directly to KARL at 216 Call Hall, Manhattan, Ks. 66506. Call (785)532-6300 for more information. For more information regarding future classes, alumni leadership roles, the current class curriculum or program goals visit the Web site http://www.karlprogram.com/.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Jack Lindquist, Communications Assistant
karl@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News