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You can tour the Beaumont wind farm by contacting Ride the Flint Hills, LLC
11651 SE Waie, Beaumont, KS 67012
Phone 620 843 2025
Website http://www.ridetheflinthills.com
Hours Mon - Sun: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm



https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/RidetheFlintHills-LLC/101391576566271

The following was sent to Governor Brownback, Kansas legislators and area newspapers  to voice our concerns about the wind farm moratorium. Please share your views with your county Farm Bureau and Kansas Farm Bureau -- We are the Voice of Agriculture!

Governor Sam Brownback's recent decision to restrict wind farm development in the southeast corner of Kansas not only invalidates his promise to help the area boost its economic development, it raises a warning flag about the reach of state powers.  Several aspects of the governor's "voluntary moratorium" are cause for concern and need to be addressed.

First, elected officials from the counties involved were not notified of any meeting taking place, nor given the opportunity to express the views of constituents, until after the fact.  Many county government leaders learned about the meeting the same way the general public did: by reading an article in the newspaper or hearing about it on the evening news. Those directly affected by potential wind farms – landowners in the counties considered to be in the newly designated Tallgrass Heartland-- had no voice in this matter. While this directly impacts the southeastern portion of the state, everyone in Kansas should take note that under this governor's authority, property rights are apparently up for grabs without any form of legislation taking place.

Governor Brownback earned votes from many rural Kansans based on his pledge to pursue development in economically depressed areas. His development of ROZs (rural opportunity zones) is a positive step toward this goal. Yet his moratorium squelches one of the most economically viable developments available to Kansans: wind energy. He cannot even use the reasoning that the turbines are an eyesore in a region attempting to lure tourists, as there are no restrictions on cell towers, transmission towers or oil derricks dotting the landscape– only on this method of producing clean, renewable energy. We also point out that the wind energy development typically requires no financial assistance from the state and, in fact, has the potential to generate significant revenue for the county and state coffers.

Our county association has no bias against tourism. We also are proud of our farmer/rancher members who are fine stewards of this prairie land we all love and wish to preserve.  We believe the region designated as the Flint Hills (which until this moratorium was announced did not include Greenwood, Elk or Chautauqua counties; in fact, more than 6,000 square miles of land now fall under the new designation) play a vital environmental role and deserve protection. However, there is already evidence (the Elk River project near Beaumont, for example) that wind farms can be successful tourism destinations for those who enjoy bicycling, horseback riding, and hiking. The two ventures need not be mutually exclusive. Surely they can co-exist with proper planning and be of benefit to the entire region.

Our disappointment lies not so much with the reasoning behind the governor's decision as much as his disregard for the property owners who have the right to decide how their land is used – or not used.  The moratorium effectively denies the counties in the region an opportunity for economic growth through PILOT funds (payment in lieu of taxes) to the host county. Elk County alone expects a 20-year revenue of $60 million to government and private parties. These funds will help our struggling county keep its figurative head above water and perhaps provide tax relief to its citizens. Each county in Kansas should have that same potential for income and the chance to make development decisions for itself.

We are urging the governor to consider the stranglehold his decision places on rural development in this region. We request that the decision be overturned and that a new summit be called – one that includes all entities affected by the outcome. Compromises can be reached, but only when all sides of the issue are represented.

Respectfully submitted,
Bo Downing, President
And Board of Directors
Elk County Farm Bureau Association

Hi everyone! We are pleased to announce that Peggy Bellar of Howard was named the People's Choice winner at Kansas Farm Bureau's annual meeting last month. Peggy's photo of Jeff Wiseman, also of Howard, was one of six to compete in the state-level contest. In addition to a cash prize, Peggy also received a framed copy of the photo and a plaque. Congratulations, Peggy, on a much-deserved win, and thank you for shining such a positive spotlight on Elk County.

We are so pleased that one of our members, Peggy Bellar of Howard, has been named a finalist in the annual Kansas Farm Bureau photo contest. Peggy's photo of Jeff Wiseman and his dogs, titled "Real Cowboy and Pals," was one of nine photos (out of 55) to be selected as finalists. Her photo will be on display during KFB's annual meeting Nov. 20-21 in Manhattan and eligible for the People's Choice award. Congratulations, Peggy!

To see Peggy's photo and other finalists, copy/paste the link below into your browser:

http://www.kfb.org/photocontest

Happy birthday, Patrick from the Farm Bureau Association's coordinator and board of directors!

Wow, just step away from the desk for a few minutes and look what happens! It's great to see some Elk County folks who have a good understanding of what Farm Bureau is and what it has to offer its members. It can be a little confusing at first, but once you understand a few key points, it does make sense. There is a minor correction to Tobina's statement: the association and the insurance are two different entities but they are still related. Here's how: You don't have to buy insurance from Farm Bureau to be a member of the association, but you do need to be a member if you want to buy insurance. Because the farm policies were designed for those who farm and ranch, they are an exceptional value.

Another misconception is you have to be a farmer or rancher to be a Farm Bureau member, and that's not true. While the association was first formed to represent farmers and ranchers, today's members are from all walks of life. Those who don't make their living through agriculture are associate members. Those who do raise crops or livestock are voting members, and can cast their votes on important farm-related issues that are in various stages of legislation.

Each county has a board of directors who make decisions at the local level. County activities mainly focus on safety on and off the farm,  ag education for adults and children, state legislator visits, and community involvement.

Now can't y'all just see Pep and Tobina doing a TV commercial together...LOL

The cut-and-paste from the KFB web site caused a few problems with the message text box, hence Part II of the answer.

The most recent activity by Elk County Farm Bureau regarding rural development at the local level was a legislative ag tour on Aug. 27. Congressional aides from the offices of Brownback, Tiahrt, Moran and Roberts, as well as KFB legal counsel, attended the tour hosted by Elk County Farm Bureau. The group traveled around the county to discuss highway safety conditions,  and watershed maintenance with Ron Rader. They also visited the Pat Elliott farm, where they learned about the lack of accessible quality drinking water in rural areas. There was a great deal of interest expressed by the aides concerning the water dilemma, and Terry Holdren of KFB is helping with this as well. FB tour task force members were John Black, Bo Downing, Chuck Norris and Jerry Dellinger.

Elk County Farm Bureau also supports the wind farm project proposed for the county.

pepelect has asked some questions that have easy answers! Here is some info from the Kansas Farm Bureau web site:

"What is Kansas Farm Bureau?

Kansas Farm Bureau represents grassroots agriculture. Established in 1919, this non-profit advocacy organization supports farm families who earn their living in a changing industry.  

FARM BUREAU'S MISSION: To serve Farm Bureau members in Kansas through programs, products and services which enhance the business and profession of farming, increase members' net income, provide superior value in the marketplace and improve the quality of life in Kansas.  

Simply put, if it impacts farmers, ranchers or rural Kansas communities, Kansas Farm Bureau is involved with it."

Each of Kansas' 105 counties has a Farm Bureau Association. Elk County's was established in 1951.

Actually, Granny, Farm Bureau does a lot of fun things in the county, and without a doubt, its board of directors has the best sense of humor around. Seriously, the association wants to involve everyone in the ag education process -- after all, everyone eats. Let's support those who grow our food.

Darn. There isn't an easy way to answer that question, is there? Maybe if you rephrased it?