Kansas Governor Sam Brownback deems January “From the Land of Kansas” month

Dec 30, 2014

Businesses and products will be highlighted throughout the month

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

With agriculture being the largest economic contributor in the Sunflower State, Kansas is starting 2015 off by recognizing and celebrating it.

Governor Sam Brownback declared January as “From the Land of Kansas” month.

The program, first started in 1988, looks to promote Kansas agricultural businesses and products and is always looking for the next big way to promote products and the people who supply them.

“We are excited for this opportunity to promote our members, partners and supporters,” said Stacy Mayo, From the Land of Kansas director. “Agriculture is our largest industry in Kansas. We have the opportunity to work with some of the most productive farmers and ranchers in the country, top-notch specialty food companies, restaurants focused on highlighting Kansas ingredients, ag technology and equipment companies and other agriculture industries creating food and products for use in Kansas, the country and the world.”

The agriculture sector in Kansas exported $4.9 billion of product, including wheat and beef, and employs more than 214,000 people.

One of the program’s main goals is to put Kansas agriculture into the daily lives of consumers. One of the initiatives during January is:

Connect with Kansas ag businesses: Using hashtag #LandofKS, see which program members are being highlighted.

A complete list of businesses involved with the program can be found at the From the Land of Kansas website.

Video: Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.