Kansas

How One Kansas Family is Cultivating a New Legacy by Diversifying their Farm

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:13:51 GMT

In a state where wheat, cattle and corn fill the fields of Kansas, broccoli doesn’t typically make the list of farm favorites. But it’s Jacob Thomas’, the co-owner of Jet Produce and Meats , favorite food to grow. His family’s farm started as a livestock operation in the 1950s. Today, it’s making a way for the next generation by diversifying the operation and connecting to the personal side of producing food.

“When I pick a head of broccoli, I know exactly ... what’s going to happen to it. Somebody’s going to buy that to eat for dinner,” Thomas said. His passion for produce began at age 14 when he asked his dad if he could plant a garden. “I think the draw to it for me was that a lot of farms are growing corn, soybeans and even raising livestock. How does that actually feed a person?”

Jacob and his wife Jennifer, started their farm and business while Thomas was a junior in college at Iowa State University. Their venture began on a quarter of an acre. “It was like, wow, there really is something to this. People will stop on the side of the road and buy vegetables. This is interesting.”

The following year, their business model grew to selling food at the farmers markets. Today, the operation, spans nearly 17 acres, includes eight greenhouses, and operates its own storefront on the family farm. Jet Produce also sells its products to farmers markets in the Kansas City area.

(Jet Produce and Meats Facebook Page)

Jet Produce grows most vegetables, pumpkins, popcorn and flowers. Thomas said flowers account for nearly 20% of their sales and help them manage risk throughout the year. Jacob notes that the direct connection to the consumer changes the experience of farming.

“That’s something that’s just really nice for me,” he said. "[To] have all that positive interaction with customers that are just so thankful for the food.”

Back to the Roots

Jacob and Jennifer have help from their daughters Lisa and Sarah, ages 7 and 5. Jacob’s parents are also active in the operation. Dale Thomas, Jacob’s dad, can be found managing the storefront. He wasn’t originally sure about Jacob’s interest in horticulture, but he now sees the value of adding produce to their operation.

“It’s a lot more personable than the farming I ever did,” he said. Dale’s primary role on the farm is taking care of the livestock and hay. It’s a job that brought the family back to its roots. “The Leavenworth Farmers Market, just basically said to Jacob one day, ‘you know there’s nobody here selling beef, why don’t you grow beef or sell beef?’”

Now, Jet Produce sells beef, pork, chickens, and lamb directly to customers. But the family isn’t just building consumer connections; their focus is also at home.

“My girls were at that age where they just want to hang out with me all day and they want to learn,” Jacob said. “Every opportunity I can get to have them help me plant something, help me sorting, anything that they can do.”

Jacob, Jennifer, Lisa and Sarah Thomas.

(Credits: Jet Produce and Meats Facebook)

Overall, Jacob said the wide variety of crops and livestock has gained the respect of other farmers in the area, even if it started as a different model of farming. “They realize now that what I’m doing isn’t just like a really big backyard garden. That it is farming,” he said. “It’s just different farming.”

C&C Produce awarded defense contract

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:51:33 GMT

C&C Produce Inc. , North Kansas City, Mo., was awarded a maximum $48 million, 36-month, contract with the Defense Logistics Agency for fresh fruits and vegetables.

According to a Department of Defense notice, three companies submitted bids for the contract.

The contract covers schools and military bases in Kansas and Missouri, with a July 30, 2022 performance completion date.

Report Shows Ranchers and Farmers Paid Less and Hired Fewer

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:29:12 GMT

Farmers and ranchers in the Northern Plains hired fewer workers this year than in 2015, and paid them less this October during the key harvest period than they did a year earlier.

That’s the news from a farm labor report issued on Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture ag statistics office in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The report said farmers and ranchers in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas hired 34,000 workers this summer, down 8 percent from the same week in 2015.

They kept the same number of workers the week of Oct. 9-15, this year; but that was 15 percent below the 40,000 they hired the same week in 2015.

Comparing July 2016 to July 2015, farmer labor earned more this year and livestock workers earned less, and worked fewer hours.

But the October wages fell this year from last year’s figures, the Capital Journal reported .

It follows lower cattle and crop prices this year over 2015, for the most part.

USDA officials have said they expect net farm income to fall again this year for the second year in a row.

Cattle producers in the state said prices for the feeder calves coming off pastures this fall are about 50 percent of the record levels seen two years ago at sale barns.

USDA reported that farm operators in the Northern Plains Region paid their hired workers an average wage of $14.49 per hour during the July 2016 reference week, up 4 percent from the July 2015 reference week.

Field workers received an average of $15.17 per hour, up $1.51. Livestock workers earned $12.83 per hour, down 48 cents.

The field and livestock worker combined wage rate at $14.10, was up 60 cents from the 2015 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 44.0 hours during the July 2016 reference week, compared with 39.6 hours worked during the July 2015 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $14.56 per hour during the October 2016 reference week, down 1 percent from the October 2015 reference week.

Field workers received an average of $15.33 per hour, up 74 cents. Livestock workers earned $12.50 per hour, compared with $13.86 a year earlier.

The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at 14.15, was down 15 cents from the October 2015 reference week.

Hired laborers worked an average of 44.8 hours during the October 2016 reference week, compared with 41.0 hours worked during the October 2015 reference week.

Climate Change Gave Some Farmers a Gift this Year

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:02:39 GMT

Climate change is usually talked of as a negative, and it often acts accordingly through more weather volatility and more extreme weather events. But occasionally, climate change gives farmers a helping hand.

Case in point – take a look at Kansas. In 2015, the growing season (as defined as the time between the last spring freeze and the first fall freeze) averaged 193 days across the state, which is almost 20 days longer than typical, according to Chip Redmond and Mary Knapp with Kansas State University’s Weather Data Library. Kansas farmers saw both a longer frost-free spring and fall, they report.

“The average final spring reading of 32 degrees F or less was April 18, a week later than the climatology average of April 11,” they note. “The 2015 fall freezes averaged two weeks later than the climatological average of October 28.”

Redmond and Knapp note results varied widely by individual location. Cheyenne County, in the northwest corner of the state, had a 131-day growing season – 26 days less than average. Meantime, Chautauqua County in the southeast part of the state saw a 231-day growing season – 28 days more than average. That’s a 100-day difference just across Kansas.

Gene Takle, director of Iowa State University’s Climate Science program, says this trend has not just benefited Kansas farmers. A longer growing season has been observed in many other areas, too.

“There have been pluses and minuses. It’s a mixed bag,” he says. “Climate has been favorable enough on balance to help yields the past 15 years. But if these trends continue, those gains are at risk.”

Russ Davis Wholesale acquires Liberty Fruit Co.

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 13:15:45 GMT

Kansas City, Kan.-based Liberty Fruit Co. Inc ., has been acquired by Russ Davis Wholesale Inc ., Wadena, Minn.

Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Russ Davis Wholesale was started by the Davis family over 65 years ago and has been employee-owned since 1991, according to a news release. Serving wholesale and retail customers in 12 states, the company operates five distribution centers and three manufacturing facilities across the upper Midwest and into the eastern Rockies. The company currently serves wholesale and retail customers in 12 states. With the addition of Liberty Fruit, the combined entity will expand distribution to Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, bringing its total reach to 16 states, the release said.

Liberty Fruit, a produce wholesaler founded in 1965, operates a 160,000-square-foot, SQF-certified distribution and processing facility that is home to more than 250 team members, the release said. Combined with a full-line commodity program, Liberty Fruit offers extensive repack services and made-to-order fresh-cut products for retail and food service customers in seven states throughout the Midwest, according to the release.

Coming together

Liberty Fruit is now part of Russ Davis’ Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and will continue to operate independently and will be led by its existing leadership team, according to a news release.
The opportunity to become 100% employee-owned was the driving force behind the merger, Liberty CEO John McClelland said in the release.

“The Caviar family has owned Liberty for all of its nearly 60 years,” he said. “Not many owners, regardless of industry, get to leave this kind of legacy for their employees.”

Adam Gamble, president and CEO of Russ Davis Wholesale, cited the companies’ shared vision and values as a primary catalyst.

“The Liberty team relates to their employees and customers the same way we do,” Gamble said in the release. “We’re excited about the opportunity to bring programs from both companies to a larger area with the confidence that customers will be very satisfied due to the shared focus on service and quality.”

The two companies have worked together for several years to service Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) military bases throughout the Midwest, the release said. Through that process, operational and geographic synergies were discovered that made a potential merger intriguing.

“Our primary growth vehicle in recent years has been wholesale and retail, and RDW—particularly with their substantial manufacturing capabilities—gives us the opportunity to expand this business significantly,” McClelland said in the release, “and our distribution footprints couldn’t be more complementary.”

Top retailers in the Southwest by market share

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:42:31 GMT

Each year, The Shelby Report showcases valuable retail market share data. In the interactive map below, find each major market around the Southwest. Also, highlighted are the major cities in each market.

All markets are “labeled” or identified by their primary state (with metros or key cities). Percentages are estimates based on annualized sales, industry data, institutional research and store footprints. Shares are updated as market metrics dictate and retailers supply their store lists.*

Market shares are for chains, independents and/or the wholesalers (voluntary or cooperative) which supply them within each region’s distribution area, extending well beyond typical metros or CBSAs. Each market is defined by the sphere of distribution, not by a rigid geographic boundary.

Major cities in each market:

Colorado/Wyoming/Nebraska/South Dakota - Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs,
Ft Collins, Pueblo, Grand Junctiion, Cheyenne
West Texas/New Mexico/Colorado/Kansas - Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, El Paso, Amarillo,
Lubbock, Wichita Falls, Abilene, Odessa
South Texas - San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Laredo,
Corpus Christi, McAllen, Brownsville
North Texas/Louisana/Arkansas/Oklahoma - Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler, Longview, Shreveport
East Texas/Louisiana - Houston, Pasadena, Galveston, Bryan,
Beaumont, Port Arthur, Lake Charles
Oklahoma - Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Springfield, MO - Springfield, MO; Fayetteville, Bentonville, AR

Top retailers in the Midwest by market share

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:42:33 GMT

Each year, The Shelby Report showcases valuable retail market share data. In the interactive map below, find each major market around the Midwest. Also, highlighted are the major cities in each market.

All markets are “labeled” or identified by their primary state (with metros or key cities). Percentages are estimates based on annualized sales, industry data, institutional research and store footprints. Shares are updated as market metrics dictate and retailers supply their store lists.*

Market shares are for chains, independents and/or the wholesalers (voluntary or cooperative) which supply them within each region’s distribution area, extending well beyond typical metros or CBSAs. Each market is defined by the sphere of distribution, not by a rigid geographic boundary.

Major cities in each market:

Illinois /Indiana - Chicago, Gary
Indiana/Ohio - Indianapolis, Fort Wayne
Iowa/Illinois/Montana/Minnesota - Des Moines, Sioux City, Cedar Rapids
Kansas/Missouri - Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Columbia
Michigan - Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw
Western Michigan - Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Traverse City
Minnesota - Minneapolis, St. Paul, Dultuh
Missouri/Illinois/Indiana/Kentucky - St. Louis, Springfield, Champaign, Terre Haute, Evansville, Paducah
Nebraska/Colarado/Iowa/Kansas/South Dakota - Omaha, Lincoln, Sioux Falls
North Dakota/Montana/South Dakota/Minnesota - Fargo
Ohio - Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown
Ohio/West Virginia/Kentucky - Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Toledo, Huntington
Wisconsin / Upper Michigan - Milwaukee, Madison, Eau Claire, Marquette

Giumarra highlights Lemonade variety

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 18:24:55 GMT

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The Giumarra Cos. highlighted its proprietary Lemonade apple variety at the 2023 AWG Innovation Showcase.

Giumarra sources the Lemonade apple variety in Washington state and Pennsylvania in the U.S, says Kristina Lorusso, business development manager for Giumarra, Los Angeles.

The 2022 Lemonade apple harvest in the U.S. was a big enough crop to sell but was already gone by March, she said. There will be a gap before imports from New Zealand begin in May for the summer season.

“We anticipate for this next [2023-24] season, the domestic harvest will carry us through the whole 52 weeks,” she said.

The Lemonade apple has been marketed by Giumarra for about four years.

“It is a popular item for us, and so that’s why we bought the rights to it, because we wanted to be having the proprietary variety,” she said. “We’re putting some really beautiful merchandising behind it,” she said. “The response at the AWG show has been fantastic.

AWG Innovation Showcase provides opportunity to show off Little Potato Co. brand refresh

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 18:29:08 GMT

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The March 20-22 Associated Wholesale Grocers Innovation Showcase provided a chance for The Little Potato Co. to show off its refreshed brand.

“With the brand relaunch, this was a perfect opportunity to get the word out,” said David Mirolglio, retail west senior sales manager for The Little Potato Co. , DeForest, Wis.,

The marketer sources from about 40 growers in several growing regions, including Edmonton, Canada, Wisconsin, Washington and Prince Edward Island.

With only 22 produce vendors selected for the AWG Innovation Showcase, Mirolglio said the event was active and featured good foot traffic.

Sage Fruit sees retail interest in 5-pound bags of Cosmic Crisp apples

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 18:37:39 GMT

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Despite a smaller than typical U.S. apple crop, there are still promotion opportunities for the rising star Cosmic Crisp apple, says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing at Sage Fruit Co. , Yakima, Wash.

Sage Fruit participated in the March 20-22 Associated Wholesale Grocers Innovation Showcase and displayed 5-pound bags of Cosmic Crisp apples on the expo floor.

“We’ve had a lot of people showing interest in that,” Sinks said, noting that the larger pack gives consumers good value.

“It is a good apple, and with Honeycrisp being down so much, it is a good opportunity to [promote],” he said. “We’ve had several retailers stop by and ask about that.” In addition, Honey Bee proprietary apples drew big attention at the show, he said.

With the overall crop being short in the 2022-23 season, Sinks said Sage Fruit is working hard not to “gap” between old crop and new crop apples. “I think at the very worst, we might have a week gap.”

Looking ahead, Sinks said that the Washington industry is hoping for a return to a more normal crop size for the 2023 season.

“We’re happy that we can maybe see the light at the end of the tunnel, and that it should be a better year for apples in 2023,” he said.

Kansas farmers market begins nearly $40M renovation

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 13:30:34 GMT

A community fixture in downtown since 1991, the Overland Park, Kan., farmers market is set to receive nearly $40 million in improvements aimed at enriching the visitor experience and supporting local vendors.

The pavilion has been home to the farmers market, but the city said in a news release that it recognized additional opportunities for the area, including “options that allow for the farmers market to grow and increase comfort for vendors and shoppers, and additional programming in the space.”

Current challenges presented within the existing pavilion space include rain and weather penetration making it not possible for year-round operation. In addition, the asphalt parking lot surface traps heat and rain runoff, creating a less comfortable environment for attendees, the release said. The third challenge was the insufficient electrical capacity to accommodate vendors that require refrigeration.

In July, the Overland Park Governing Body approved a plan to proceed with the improvement project to:

Create an indoor market space.
Improve the existing outdoor market space with shade structures and a gentler, more accessible ground slope.
Add access to utilities like power and water for vendors.
Increase access to restrooms for vendors, staff and shoppers.
Allow for the possible expansion of existing market operations.
Maintain parking spaces during non-market hours.

The city first began considering options to improve the market pavilion in 2017 and 2018, and it conducted a study that indicated residents overwhelmingly wanted the market to stay in downtown Overland Park, the release said.

“This major investment in our downtown is a result of talking with the community and delivering on community visions,” said Mayor Curt Skoog. “I am looking forward to visiting our new market that brings an even better gathering space to our community.”

Since 2018, the city and its project partners have created conceptual plans, shared plans with a number of groups involved at the market, including vendors, shoppers, downtown area residents and downtown Overland Park merchants, the release said. The project team held pop-up events at the market, town hall meetings, issued community surveys, hosted focus groups and interviewed those closest to the market.

The city of Overland Park, Kan., said it has donated the farmers market pavilion structure to the city of Garnett to use for its farmers market. Garnett staff and contractors will begin dismantling the building and moving it off the downtown Overland Park site.

(Photo courtesy of the city of Overland Park)

City staff amended the Capital Improvement Plan to budget for the project, which is expected to cost $33.9 million, the release said.

Construction on the farmers market pavilion site and downtown Overland Park gathering space began in December after the 2024 farmers market season ended Nov. 23. The city said it expects the construction on the pavilion site and gathering space to take approximately 18 months; the 2025 season will be held temporarily at the Matt Ross Community Center.

Construction on the updated market pavilion and gathering space is expected to be done by the spring 2026, the release said.

When the project is complete, the space will house the Overland Park Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays during market season. The project will also bring:

Permanent shade structures in outdoor spaces.
Additional seating for market visitors.
Expanded restroom access.
Improvements to spaces adjacent to the market structure, including the Clock Tower Plaza, Overland Park Drive and Marty Street.
Continued access to parking during nonmarket days.
A gathering space for watch parties, concerts and other public events in downtown Overland Park adjacent to future private development in downtown Overland Park and more.

The city said it has donated the pavilion structure to the city of Garnett to use for its farmers market. Garnett staff and contractors will begin dismantling the building and moving it off the downtown Overland Park site.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a priority for the city and the farmers market, the release said. When complete, the market will feature:

Solar panels on the pavilion roof.
Electric vehicle charging stations.
Pavement colors and solar shade structures intended to reduce the temperature of the outdoor space.
LED lighting and solar-powered exterior lighting.
Native landscaping.
Recycling, composting and more.

Where possible, the release said, construction crews will use locally sourced, low-carbon and recycled construction materials. Additionally, the farmers market operations close down Marty Street on market days, improving walkability and bikeability in downtown Overland Park. The project will include bike and scooter parking.

A&H Farm has been a vendor at the Overland Park Farmers Market for 10 years.

(Photo courtesy of A&H Farm)

A&H Farm , a fourth-generation family farm, is a vendor at the Overland Park Farmers’ Market. Owned by Andrea and Hugo DeJesus, the farm offers a variety of fresh, locally grown produce including seasonal fruits and vegetables.

“We’ve become known for our homegrown peaches ‘n cream sweet corn, our homegrown cantaloupe and our famous homegrown Black Diamond watermelon,” Andrea DeJesus said. “Everything is grown or made with care on our family farm or friends’ family farm, and we pride ourselves on providing high-quality, sustainable products.”

The couple says they’ve been vendors at the Overland Park’s Farmers’ Market for 10 years.

“It’s been an incredible experience, and we’ve loved seeing the market grow in popularity and diversity over the years,” Andrea DeJesus said.

“The Overland Park Farmers’ Market has always been a perfect fit for us,” she added. “It’s known for its strong community atmosphere, and we feel that our values align with the market’s mission of supporting local farmers and offering customers access to fresh, high-quality food. The loyal customer base and the welcoming environment for vendors make it a standout market.”

The future renovations will make a big difference, creating a more inviting space for both vendors and customers, Andrea DeJesus said.

“The expanded layout will give us more room to display our products, and the improved facilities will ensure a more comfortable shopping experience. We’re excited to be part of the market’s growth and look forward to seeing the positive impact on the local community,” she said.

Learn more about improvements coming to the Overland Park Farmers’ Market and downtown Overland Park at opkansas.org/FarmersMarket .