Senator Marshall Visits Producers, Educators, & Healthcare Professionals in Eastern KansasOn Friday, I spent the day in communities across 6 Eastern Kansas counties, meeting with producers, educators, and healthcare professionals to learn more about their work to teach the next generation of Kansas youth, ensure quality medical care for all, and create value-added products out of Kansas agricultural commodities.
Highlights from my visits include:
American Royal 
My first stop of the day was to meet with the leadership of the American Royal and tour its new facility. American Royal has been a staple of Kansas City since 1899 and has expanded to host and organize countless agriculture-related events, including the World Series of Barbecue. I am excited for their new Kansas location set to open later this year!
Midwest Transplant Network 
Next, I met with the Midwest Transplant Network at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park. Headquartered in Kansas, the Midwest Transplant Network services organ donations across the Midwest, with its own lab and operating room to analyze potential matches and perform procedures on-site. It was a good reminder that April is National Donate Life Month, a great time to consider becoming an organ donor.
Baker University Wetlands Tour 
I stopped at the Baker University Wetlands outside of Lawrence to learn more about the work the University and Ducks Unlimited are doing to update and improve the wetlands infrastructure. Baker University has now finalized an agreement with Douglas County to protect the more than 600 acres of wetlands exclusively for educational, research, and conservation purposes for future generations to come.
East Kansas Agri-Energy Bio-Diesel Plant Tour 
In Garnett, I toured the East Kansas Agri-Energy Bio-Diesel Plant — the only bio-diesel facility in Kansas, providing an important market for corn growers across the eastern half of the State. I highlighted the important changes made to the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit in the Working Families Tax Cuts to support both Kansas farmers and biofuels producers.
Perry Milling Tour
In Waverly, I met with and toured Perry Milling, which produces feed for cattle, chickens, and other livestock. The company recently announced an expansion to Emporia, where it will be able to handle nutrition and ration calculations in-house.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka
My last — and most enjoyable — stop of the day was at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka, where I toured the facilities and heard from kids who benefit from their after-school program. The Boys & Girls Clubs provide an important avenue of care for 2,300 children a year, including many in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or impacted by poverty. It was great to see the work they are doing and get to visit with some very bright young Kansans.
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