Bourbon County Conservation District

04/01/2026

KDA has a wide range of open positions right now! Science based roles like the calibration and metrology lab technician and environmental scientist. Program coordinators like the conservation grant coordinator and the From the Land of Kansas member coordinator position in the ag marketing team. And there are inspector jobs open as well as some student opportunities for K-State students in Manhattan.

Several of the current openings are in the Manhattan HQ office, but others are in communities across the state, from Finney County to SE Kansas and more.

Working at a state agency offers reliable pay and great benefits -- so come join us in the KDA team! Find details about all jobs at www.agriculture.ks.gov/jobs.

04/01/2026

April is the last month to order conservation trees for the spring, and that is no joke! Many shrubs and deciduous trees are still available, along with some evergreen species.

As a reminder, our headhouse is under construction, which will interrupt our sales schedule:
🍂 Fall 2026: No conservation tree sale due to construction.

🪻 Spring 2027: Sale will resume with bareroot stock only. Containerized evergreens (conifers) will not be available this season.

🌲 Fall 2027: We expect to offer containerized deciduous trees and shrubs, but no conifer species will be available at this time.

Now is a great time to stock up on trees. Order now: https://buff.ly/QzLi7By

04/01/2026

ATTENTION: I will be putting in a grass seed order tomorrow! If anyone is needing seed, give me a call at 620-223-3170 x3 or come by the office at 1515 S. Judson, Fort Scott, KS. We can get a larger variety of seed and mixes.

03/30/2026

REMINDER: Tomorrow, March 31st is the last day for our State Cost-Share sign-up period for landowners to be considered for funding. We take applications all the time, but landowners that come in by tomorrow get first chance at funding.

Send a message to learn more

03/24/2026

Our thoughts & prayers are with Larry's family. He was an exceptional man & dedicated to his craft.

We are deeply saddened to share that former State Forester Larry Biles passed away on Saturday.

Larry served as State Forester from 2008 to 2019, when he retired. Larry had previously worked for the Kansas Forest Service as a regional forester in Hiawatha beginning in 1970. He also served in the United States Army and worked for the USDA Forest Service and the USDA Extension Service. Through his many roles, Larry served for more than 50 years in forestry, conservation, and natural resources.

Larry was vital to shaping our agency in its modern form, including growing federal funding by 44%, and, through his leadership, we were allotted the first line item in the state budget since 1909 to address wildfire concerns in Kansas.

Larry served on committees and in leadership roles with the Society of American Foresters, the International Society of Arboriculture, the Urban Forestry Working Group for the Society of American Foresters, the National Capitol Section of the Society of American Foresters, and various other boards and organizations.

Those who worked with Larry describe him as a mentor, a dedicated leader, and a servant to the people of Kansas. On behalf of all former and current Kansas Forest Service staff, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Larry Biles.

https://buff.ly/skABjq2

03/24/2026

Celebrate all things Agriculture today!!

03/19/2026

If you are trying to call or email the USDA Service Center housing FSA, NRCS, & the Bourbon Co Conservation District, our internet and phone system is down. I will post when service is restored.

03/13/2026

03/13/2026

March is an ideal time to prune all fruit trees. Although pruning can seem daunting and even scary, it is essential for good fruit production. Here are two wonderful tip sheets to help you get started. If you have specific pruning questions or need a tree evaluated, please get in touch with our horticulture agent, Krista Harding, at 620-244-3826.

Pruning Apples & Pears:https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/pruning-apple-and-pear-trees_MF3450.pdf

Pruning Stone Fruits:https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/pruning-peaches-plums-cherries-and-other-stone-fruits_MF3451.pdf

03/12/2026

Come join us for a fun field day learning about cover crops! Pick the day you want to attend and scan the QR code with the camera on your phone to get registered. There is no charge to attend! See you there!!!

03/05/2026

After more than 20 hours of markup, the Farm Bill passed the House Ag Committee and now heads to the full House for a vote.

The group spent a two-day stretch debating a lot of key issues from Prop 12 to SNAP and even h**p, but E15 was front and center for a number of those talks.

03/04/2026

Ag month is here, and we are kicking it off with two new Kansas Ag Fact Posters! These posters are a great way to start discussions in your classroom about commodities grown in Kansas, land use, and how Kansas farmers impact the global economy. Download both posters for free today! https://ksagclassroom.org/supporting-resources/supporting_resources/