Read the Kansas Grasslands Issue Brief

Published in February 2026, this foundational report highlights the importance of grasslands to Kansas and identifies issues and action steps to continue and enhance the conservation of those grasslands for the future of Kansas.

Grasslands make up more than 15 million acres of agricultural land in Kansas. In addition to other ecological and economic benefits, these grasslands serve a critical role as grazing land for cattle. As the state's largest agricultural industry, the beef industry provides income and economic prosperity to thousands of Kansas ranchers, businesses, and workers throughout the state.

In the fall of 2025, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, with the support of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, embarked on a joint project to determine immediate next steps to take to encourage and support enhanced conservation of private working grasslands in Kansas.

This project included a series of discussions with ranchers and landowners across the state, as well as a public survey. Summaries of those discussions can be accessed at the links below. 

This Issue Brief is a compilation of what we learned from those conversations. We encourage you to print it out, share it with others, and help us tell the story of Kansas Grasslands. Feel free to reach out to us if you want information about how to print additional copies for your organization; a print-ready version is available. 

Together, we can ensure that grasslands continue to be productive, valuable resource for generations of Kansans to come. 

Map of Kansas Grasslands

Increasing severity of woody encroachment 1990-2020

Summary of Discussions and Survey:
Smoky Hills discussion
Gypsum Hills discussion
High Plains discussion
Flint Hills discussion
Statewide public survey

Some of the groups and initiatives working in Kansas:

Kansas Association of Conservation Districts

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition

For more information about the Kansas Grasslands project, or to get information about how to print copies for my organization, contact the Office of the Secretary at 785-564-6799 or AgSecretary@ks.gov.

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