From Empty Shelves to Abundant Harvests: The Rise of Shop Kansas Farms

Jay Matteson's Rural America brings to light the impactful story of rural resilience and innovation during challenging times, particularly through the lens of the pandemic. The episode, hosted by Jay Matteson and Ron Robbins, features guests Rick McNary and Stacy Davis, who share their experiences with Shop Kansas Farms and the Border Queen Harvest Hub. As the pandemic disrupted food supply chains, Rick recounts how he used social media to create an online marketplace connecting local farmers and consumers. The rapid growth of the Facebook group illustrates a community's need for direct access to local food sources. With over 168,000 members, Shop Kansas Farms not only provided a platform for farmers to sell directly to consumers but also highlighted the importance of supporting local agriculture. Stacy adds an economic development perspective, emphasizing the collaboration necessary to sustain such initiatives beyond grant funding. Together, they illustrate a model of economic resilience rooted in community engagement, local food systems, and innovative partnerships that can thrive even in adversity.

Links referenced in this episode:

• shopkansasfarms.com
• borderqueenharvesthub.com
• www.agricultureevents.com
• jcida.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Shop Kansas Farms
• Kansas Farm Bureau
• Jefferson County Economic Development
• Sumner County Economic Development Commission
• Patterson Family Foundation
• Vision Caldwell Group