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K-State Extension has a Crop, and Forage Management career opportunity in Southwind District.
The primary office location is negotiable between Iola, Erie, Fort Scott and Yates Center.
See https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/jobs/current_openings/index.html for responsibilities, qualifications and application procedure.
The application deadline is March 17, 2021.
K-State Research Extension is an EOE of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
A background check is required.
From the website:
The Southwind District is comprised of Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties in southeast Kansas. There are 2,314 farms and more than 112 million acres of pasture and crops growing primarily soybeans, corn, wheat, and a diverse selection of native and introduced forages. The population of the district is 46,048. The district is home to Neosho County Community College, Allen Community College, and Fort Scott Community College, as well as ten public school systems. Southwind staff are housed in four office locations and include eight agents, four specialized office professionals, and one 4-H program assistant.
Extension agents are community-based faculty of Kansas State University who make a difference by connecting community needs with university resources. Agents are administratively responsible to the local extension director and the local extension board.
This position will provide primary leadership for the development and implementation of research-based educational programs related to production, management, and marketing issues involved in crop production, especially forages. Programs will include but are not limited to tillage, planting, and variety selection; irrigation; weed, disease, and pest control; soil testing and fertilization; harvesting and post-harvest handling.
Extension agents are professional educators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents are administratively responsible to the Director of K-State Research and Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.
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What You’ll Need to Succeed: | Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Other Requirements:
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Salary, Benefits, and Professional Development: |
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How to Apply: | Please submit the following documents:
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Screening of Applications Begins: | Applications will be accepted until March 17, 2021 |
Equal Employment Opportunity: | Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and actively seeks diversity among its employees. |
Background Screening Statement: | In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee. |
The Fort Scott Planning Commission is meeting at 4 p.m. March 1 at city hall, 123 S. Main, to consider a conditional use permit for property south of the town for a micro-meat processing plant.
The property being considered is south of the Kansas Department of Transportation property, according to the press release from the City of Fort Scott. The K.D.O.T property is south of the LaRoche Baseball Park.
The Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor sent the following information on the proposed plant.
“Billy Madison, the owner of W Diamond M Meats, will be seeking the approval of a conditional use permit from City of Fort Scott Commission,” Hoenor said. “He plans to return to his hometown and build a $2.7million micro meat processing plant located approximately two miles outside the city limits of Fort Scott and south of the Fort Scott Industrial Park.”
“The processing plant will add to our efforts in building resilient and self-sustaining food systems,” Hoenor said. “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for these smaller-scale processing plants, and we are very fortunate to be considered for this expansion. This proposal has potential to help farmers and ranchers with extra supplemental income act as a stimulus for other sectors such as retail trade and services.”
“The site is currently zoned correctly as heavy industrial for use,” she said. “The City of Fort Scott codes requires an additional conditional use permit approval for a meat processing plant to be built.”
The City of Fort Scott Water Department and Codes Enforcment were consulted on sewer and wastewater issues, she said.
“The codes department let us know we would need a conditional use permit to build on the selected site,” Hoener said.
Since July 2020, Madison has been working with Hoener and Bourbon County Economic Development Council Chairs, Steve Buerge (previous), and more recently Gregg Motley, she said.
“It is Madison’s goal is to be a good neighbor, bring above-average wage jobs, and provide value in under-developed land,” Hoenor said. “Financing of the project and acquisition of land is pending approval of the conditional use permit.”
“All impacts on social, economic, and environmental conditions were investigated thoroughly including air and water quality, crime rate, property valuation, wage growth, employment growth, occupational health, and odor,” she said.
“State of the art wastewater system is used to remove suspended matter such as oils and solids,” Hoenor said. “This is measured through biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The equipment skims any leftover matter and is sold. Bacteria growth is what creates an offensive odor,” she said.”The requirements in cleaning are incredibly stringent and does not allow time for bacteria to grow. As a result, there is no offensive odor in the processing plant.”
“This is a highly regulated industry with a USDA inspector office on sight,” she said. ” It is a requirement in building plans that the USDA inspector has a separate office with his/her own shower. This inspector is on-site at all times while in operation. There are 3-4 additional inspections per month, in order to keep our food safe to consume.”
“There will be no outdoor pens or holding areas for animals, mitigating smell downwind or in the vicinity,” Hoenor said. “Animals are delivered in the very early morning hours and several hours later slaughtered and processed.”
“Letters of support from residential houses in Johnson County and commercial businesses have confirmed the business is a conscientious neighbor,” she said.
In addition, the product can be sold in other states and will bring new jobs.
“W Diamond M Meats is FSIS approved, allowing the meat to be sold across state lines, injecting capital into our economy,” Hoenor said. “This business will bring 30 full-time jobs that pay higher than Bourbon County average. The new construction increases overall county valuation in property and affords the opportunity to reduce the overall tax burden.”
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A donation of $5500 toward a downtown program working to address urgent business and community needs.
A program that originated to address the urgent needs of business, childcare centers, food insecurity, and employment will continue through 2021 as a result of an anonymous donation to the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center (BWERC).
Because of the generous donation, these critical services will continue to be provided to Bourbon County and City of Fort Scott residents and business free of charge.
The center is located in the Historic Downtown Fort Scott in the upstairs of 17 South Main Fort Scott KS.
It is a “one-stop shop” for business, employment, food, telework and distance learning needs.
Current businesses, and those looking to start a business, have a physical location to meet with a person.
Additionally, services are available for those seeking employment, developing soft skills (i.e. interviewing), or other job seeking help.
Businesses are encouraged and welcome to contact Southeast KANSASWORKS to see how they can connect with those looking for employment.
An overview of services BWERC provides Bourbon County:
• WORKERS & FAMILIES:
o Distance Learning and Telework Space
o Training & Job Seeking Assistance
o Increasing Access to Healthy Food
o Building Capacity for Local Food Assistance
• ADDRESSING CHILDCARE:
o Relief in Fulfilling Educational Requirements for Centers
o Incentives for Becoming a Legal Childcare Provider
• BUSINESS TOOLS & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:
o Get Businesses Online via new Websites & Social Media
o Loans & Grants
o Special COVID Programs & Resources
Background of BWERC:
Originally funded by a county SPARKS grant, the BWERC was created through a multi-partner collaboration of Bourbon County Economic Development, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, PSU Small Business Development Center (PSU SBDC), Southeast KANSASWORKS, and BAJA Investments. The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team has since joined the partnership in an effort to address the social determinants of health. The BWERC provides a location, with high speed internet, and all the needed technology for our partners to meet face-to-face or virtually with community residents and business owners.
Through the collaboration childcare centers receive relief in fulfilling educational requirements and illegal childcare is incentivized to become legal. PSU SBDC is available to
business to provide the technical assistance needed to obtain capital, develop marketing strategy, and more.
Southeast KANSASWORKS provides assistance to those seeking employment and to businesses looking for employees. The partnerships with CHC/SEK and BAJA Investments are
actively working to address health inequities and food insecurity throughout the county.
Contact information:
Jody Hoener, Economic Development Director, Bourbon County
President, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team
620-215-5725
[email protected]
Amy Kauffman, Career Advisor, Southeast KANSASWORKS
[email protected]
620-231-4250
Dacia Clark, Assistant Director, PSU SBDC
[email protected]
785-445-2537
Lindsay Madison, President and CEO, The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
(620) 223-3566