History

The Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association is a network of independent growers and producers of vegetables, fruits, herbs, vineyards and wines, honey, fiber, and other crops and plant products outside of the prevalent row crop arena in Kansas. The organization’s roots, no pun intended, go back to the Sweet Potato Association formed in 1939 in the Kansas (Kaw) River Valley. It was originally named the Kaw Valley Sweet potato Growers Association and was subsequently renamed the Kansas Sweet Potato Growers Association in 1963. Members held joint membership with the Kansas State Horticultural Society, which included an active contingent of Kansas fruit growers.

In 1968, the Kansas Sweet Potato Growers Association combined with the Kansas Vegetable Growers Association (KVGA) under the latter’s organizational structure.

In the early 1990’s, discussions were held between the Missouri Vegetable Growers Association and KVGA to consider a joint educational gathering between the two groups. These discussions expanded to include vegetable growers in Iowa and Nebraska. In 1995 the combined state groups held a four-state vegetable growers conference in St. Joseph, Missouri. Since then the Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference has grown in size and content to include a 2-day educational program with workshops for new products and growing practices, marketing and sales platforms, and other timely topics. Today it is supported by a trade show of vendors, associations and other parties invested in the success of specialty crops in the region.

In 2019 growers in conjunction with K-State Extension and other partners worked to form a 501(c)(5) agricultural organization to represent a broader section of specialty crop growers in the state. Bringing KVGA members under the new umbrella 501(c)(5), Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association (KSCGA) now represents vegetable and fruit growers, vineyards and wineries, apiarists, plant fiber producers, ornamental growers, and others involved in specialty crops in Kansas. With a USDA Ag Marketing Services Specialty Crop Block Grant awarded for 2021, KSCVGA is currently working to develop organizational capacities in serving our member growers. Priorities as we look ahead include developing an online networking system for growers to share information and support with fellow growers, explore and develop pathways and tools into emergent and dynamic market systems, and advocate for and promote specialty crops in Kansas.

Reference: History of the Kansas State Horticultural Society 100 Year Report—1967, updated January, 2010, by Chuck Marr, KVGA Sec-Treas