What the Kansas Ag Growth Summit Is
The Kansas Ag Growth Summit, formally the Kansas Governor's Summit on Agricultural Growth, is a one-day gathering hosted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture to bring farmers, ranchers, business owners, educators and policymakers together around a single issue facing the state's agriculture industry. The 11th annual summit was held Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan. It was free to attend, with sponsors covering the cost, and nearly 300 people took part, including FFA state officers.
The 2026 Theme: Transportation in Agriculture
The 2026 summit focused on how roads, rail and freight move Kansas crops and livestock to market. The agenda covered three things: a look at a new commodity flow study, a discussion of state infrastructure, and the improvements needed to strengthen market access for Kansas producers.
How the Day Worked
- Opening remarks: Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said the summit brings all Kansas industries and commodities together and that transportation is a shared need.
- Keynote: Alejandra Castillo, president and CEO of the North American Export Grain Association, spoke on global trade challenges and export infrastructure.
- Transportation update: Kansas Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed discussed efforts to improve infrastructure that benefits the supply chain.
- Morning panel on transportation, freight and market access: moderated by Cory Davis of the Kansas Department of Transportation, with speakers from National Carriers, KYLE Railroad, MJE Livestock Equipment and Bartlett Grain and Bartlett Milling.
- Commodity flow study update: Kade Grafel of Decision Innovation Solutions, the firm conducting the study for Kansas agriculture.
- Afternoon panel of commodity group leaders: leaders from Kansas Wheat, the Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Sorghum, Kansas Corn, Kansas Farmers Union, Kansas Dairy, Kansas Soybean, Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas Pork discussed transportation, infrastructure and trade.
- Closing: Gov. Laura Kelly closed the day, calling agriculture essential to the state and urging continued innovation and collaboration.
Instead of the traditional social hour, attendees were encouraged to go to the ribbon cutting for the new K-State agronomy innovation complex after the summit.
Who Can Attend and What It Costs
The 2026 summit was free to attend, with sponsors covering the cost. Those who came included farmers, ranchers, business owners, educators, industry leaders and policymakers. Registration was handled through the department's summit page.
What Came Out of It
No specific funding commitments or policy announcements were reported from the 2026 meeting. The main takeaways were that transportation needs are shared across agricultural sectors and that the groups need to keep working together.
Sponsors
Gold sponsors included American Royal, Kansas Grain Sorghum and Roots Legacies Consulting. Silver sponsors included the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, Kansas Cotton Association, Kansas Livestock Association and Kansas Soybean Commission, and the Kansas Forage and Grassland Council was a bronze sponsor.
Where
Hilton Garden Inn, 410 South 3rd Street, Manhattan, Kansas.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes, there was no cost to attend in 2026.
When is it held?
The 2026 summit was held on a Thursday in August. Watch the department's summit page for next year's date.
Where can I read more?
The Kansas Department of Agriculture posts summit materials at agriculture.ks.gov/Summit.
Official Links
- Ag Growth Summit 2026: agenda and sponsors
- Kansas Ag Leaders Gather for Annual Ag Growth Summit: news release
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event
Public speaking event for Kansas FFA students on January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan, hosted with K-State Agricultural Education.
- K-State Career Development Events (Kansas FFA State CDEs)
Kansas FFA state Career Development Events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Chapters compete in judging, evaluation and skills contests; the 2026 round was held May 3-5.
- Kansas FFA State Convention
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 2026 convention ran May 26-29 at McCain Auditorium with a theme of Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change.
- Kansas Livestock Association Convention and Trade Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were November 19-21, 2025. Cattlemen gather for the banquet and live auction, Beef Industry University, committee meetings and the membership breakfast with policy votes.
- Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 6-8, 2025 for the 107th meeting. Workshops, a tradeshow, awards banquet and a delegate vote on 2026 policy, with a keynote from the American Farm Bureau president.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.