From the Land of Kansas helps businesses sell products across the country
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Janelle Dobbins has a message for Kansas-based businesses, big or small: You’re not in it alone.
Dobbins, the marketing manager for the trademark program From the Land of Kansas, brought a spirit of optimism to several dozen Kansas entrepreneurs and businesses during a First Friday e-Call, a monthly online series hosted by K-State Research and Extension.
From the Land of Kansas has been in existence since 1978 to help promote products grown, raised or produced in the state. She said the program supports Kansas business owners who meet one or more of its requirements:
• Grow, raise or produce 100% of their product in the state.
• Process, manufacture or craft 100% of their product in the state.
• A restaurant that is Kansas owned and serves one or more primary Kansas food ingredients.
• The business provides an agriculture-based experience in Kansas, and is registered with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
• The business offers three or more Kansas products for sale in their store.
The program, Dobbins said, is set up to promote Kansas products across the country and world, in ways that benefit each specific Kansas business or entrepreneur.
“Our membership is a la carte,” Dobbins said, noting that each business can determine what promotions best fit their situation. They can choose to pay membership based on social media help, web profiles, e-blasts, design and consultation, special events or even inclusion in other products, such as the popular holiday gift boxes.
From the Land of Kansas can even provide an e-commerce site for those who don’t have one already. Dobbins added the program can provide resources for assistance on many topics, such as developing an agritourism plan or how to assure the safety of a food product.
A few membership benefits also are free, such as web listings, Facebook groups and a food export program.
Sammy Gleason, program coordinator for From the Land of Kansas, said Kansas business owners are eligible for financial assistance, including specialty crop block grants, a cost-share program for organic certification, and assistance for dealing with agriculture stress.
More details about From the Land of Kansas are available online.
Dobbins’ and Gleason’s full talk and other First Friday presentations are available online from K-State Research and Extension.
FOR PRINT PUBLICATIONS: Links used in this story
From the Land of Kansas, https://fromthelandofkansas.com
First Friday e-calls, www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/business/entrepreneurship
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 in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Story by:
Pat Melgares
785-532-1160
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