Find Rick's writings in your local newspaper. He writes a weekly column that can be found in many newspapers across Kansas. Find out where and how you can receive Rick's writings.
Growing sunflowers in Kansas
by Rick McNary
Early on a summer morning, Wanda Esping gazes out her second-story window over a field of sunflowers. Acres of yellow globes splash across land homesteaded by her ancestors along…
10 reasons to purchase food from local farmers and ranchers
by Rick McNary
One of the biggest questions I’ve been asked since I started Shop Kansas Farms (SKF) during the pandemic after discovering local grocery store shelves were empty, was whether the…
Kansas canola, fields of gold
by Rick McNary
“What is that beautiful gold stuff in the field over there?” I asked my wife as we drove over a bridge on Highway 50 between Burrton and Hutchinson. “I’ve lived in Kansas all my…
Shop Kansas Farms Goes to Washington
by Rick McNary
I recently had the opportunity to represent Shop Kansas Farms (SKF) on a panel at the Agri-Pulse National Ag and Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. The conference theme was “…
Caldwell Market of Farms a success
by Rick McNary
The Shop Kansas Farms’ Market of Farms held in Caldwell on Saturday, March 9, was a glowing success. Consumers as far away as Kansas City came to purchase food products from…
A call to dream on behalf of our communities
by Rick McNary
“Our communities need us to dream for them.” -Marcia Taylor-TrumpAs I traveled to Howard down the undulating two-lane road sandwiched by sienna-colored prairie grasses of the…
Processing Kansas grown meat in Alta Vista
by Shop Kansas Farms
Running any business takes relentless effort and determination to pursue a vision for making things work out. Amie Brunkow invested countless hours into a business plan for a meat…
Alta Vista Meat Co. continues to grow and provide great service to customers
How we maintain civility in social media on Shop Kansas Farms
by Rick McNary
When I launched the Shop Kansas Farms (SKF) Facebook group during the pandemic, I had one purpose: To connect you to the wonderful farm and ranch families of Kansas so you can…
Creating a locally sourced food chain in Kansas
by Rick McNary
When Katie Carothers accepted the challenge to write and speak her dreams at a small business retreat, she knew exactly what she wanted: to expand her direct-to-consumer sales of…
Katie Carothers grows, processes and distributes chickens in southcentral Kansas
Hope for the small family farm
by Rick McNary
One unique quality of farmers and ranchers is they work together as a family. Taking care of livestock and crops requires everyone in the family — even small children doing chores…