I’ve spent the past month traveling the state with my running mate, Greg Orman, and along the way we’ve met with many wonderful hardworking Kansans. We’ve had the tremendous opportunity to see this breathtaking state of ours.
After visiting all 105 counties, from drought-stricken farmland to struggling cities that have lost their industries but not their hope for the future, I was reminded of how truly resilient Kansans are as a people. What’s more, I heard the same concerns from nearly everyone I met: people are worried about the direction our state is headed in and unsure about the future of their communities.
For our ag producers, the uncertainty of the last several months is not helping. In fact, recent United States tariffs on Chinese products have had an adverse effect. Valuable Kansas exports like sorghum, soybeans and beef are now in danger of volatile price drops and decreased demand. In the face of declining prices, it’s the little guy on the losing end. The hard work of Kansas farmers is being used as a pawn in political games and it is time to say enough is enough.
I expect our representatives in Washington to speak up loudly and forcefully and go to bat for Kansas producers, but as a former Republican, I understand firsthand the constraints of the two-party system. Members of both parties are forced to stay silent and support their party, even when it’s not in the best interests of their own constituents. That approach seems to be painfully obvious to me in the case of these potentially destructive trade policies.
Beyond the uncertainty of tariffs, most of our state is facing a severe drought and farming communities are desperate for a solution. That’s why I rolled up my sleeves and began looking for a solution that would help not just farmers, but all rural communities across Kansas. A product like industrial hemp could be a solution for Kansas farms. Industrial hemp is versatile crop; it can be used in anything from paper to plastics to food products, and the plant is extremely drought and pest resistant. Moreover, the hemp seed needs to be processed almost immediately, and if we are growing it in Kansas why not process it here too? We have the ability to grow our rural communities by being on the cutting edge of agricultural products such as hemp, and I pledge to do all I can to make it as easy as possible for farmers to have all possibilities easily available.
Agriculture, like any other industry, is constantly changing and evolving, and that’s never been more evident than right here in Kansas. The innovation among our ag producers and the diversity of their products make Kansas an important player on the national and international stage. New industries and innovations will help Kansas continue to grow, and our rural communities will be places people will want to continue to work and live in while bringing in new workers and keeping our kids at home.
As a member of the state Senate representing 10 counties in the southwest corner of the state, I’ve worked hard to ensure our agriculture community has every advantage when it comes to access to markets and a level playing field. These issues are too important for Kansas, and much too important for our farmers, to let partisan politics get in the way. Frankly, that’s why becoming an Independent has been liberating to me. As the lone Independent lawmaker in Topeka, I no longer toe the party line or adhere to a set of partisan talking points. I speak truth to power on agriculture issues and others of importance to Kansas.
And as long as I’m in Topeka, I will continue to raise my voice in support of the best outcomes for the people, not the parties.
—State Sen. John Doll is from Garden City, Kansas.
