Kansas Farmers Union Members Participate in NFU Fly-In

Kansas Farmers Union Members meet with U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) outside his Senate office during the National Farmers Union Fly-In held September 14-16 in Washington, D.C.

MCPHERSON, KS  – Ten Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) members recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for National Farmers Union’s annual Legislative Fly-In, joining nearly 250 family farmers and ranchers from across the country to call for a farm bill that meets the needs of today’s farm economy. Those attending the Fly-In included Matt Fowler, Emporia; Rob Fisher, Ozawkie; Mandy & Preston Trout, Russell; Jeff Kindel, Aurora; Claire Geiger, Manhattan; Kara Walker, Kansas City; Nick Levendofsky, Courtland, Scott Kohl, St. George; and KFU President Donn Teske, Wheaton.

“Hundreds of family farmers walked away from their fields and livestock this week because staying silent is no longer an option. Farm policy has been broken for too long, keeping family farmers trapped in a system we didn’t create and that cannot be fixed with incremental changes,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “It’s time for policymakers to step up and deliver real, lasting change that reflects the realities of farming in today’s world and sets farms up for the next generation.”

Over three days, Farmers Union members met with members of Congress, officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the White House, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to share their lived experiences of the economic issues facing farm country.

“I was glad to share the good work Kansans are doing with co-ops in our meetings with members of Congress and their staff,” said Kara Walker, KFU Cooperative Engagement & Outreach Specialist. “There is a lot of excitement around the cooperative business model, and legislators seemed interested in supporting co-ops to build rural prosperity and keep dollars rooted in the community. I am thankful for the trust KFU members have placed in us to share these priorities with our representatives.”

Farmers Union members collectively visited with every Congressional office to push for a farm bill that works for family farmers—one that updates the safety net to reflect the economic reality farmers face; one that breaks the power of corporate monopolies and strengthens competition; one that includes mandatory country-of-origin labeling; and one that invests in opening more domestic markets and builds demand for American agricultural products.

“Looking around at the Farmers Union Fly-In, I was reminded just how powerful it is when family farmers from across the country come together with a common purpose,” said KFU member Matt Fowler, Emporia. “It was an honor to represent Kansas and help carry the voices of KFU and NFU members into meetings on Capitol Hill. These conversations matter because the decisions made in Washington have very real impact on our farms, our families and our rural communities. I left D.C. encouraged by the conversations we had but also reminded me that our work does not end when we leave Washington. We must keep showing up, keep telling our stories, and keep making sure family agriculture has a seat at the table.”

The Fly-In coincided with movement on the 2026 Farm Bill. On September 16, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate version of the 2026 Farm Bill, on a 12-11 party-line vote.