Kansas Locavore Overview

Kansas Grown Product

There are plenty of seasonal opportunities for the Kansas Locavore to find exactly the fruit, vegetable, Beef, Lamb, poultry, wine or dairy products that you may be looking for. Our database currently has 31 Farmers Markets and more than 100 growers and producers located in 45 counties across the state.

For more specific detail on what local fruits and vegetables are available (and when), please check out our Kansas availability guide or go here to see all of the Locavore Network growers near you. In addition to fruit and vegetable growers, we have listings for wineries as well as numerous beef, poultry and dairy producers located throughout the state.

Kansas Fruit and Vegetables

Apple, Peach and Cherry production in Kansas is located primarily in the Eastern and South-Eastern part of the state, with the fruit harvest season typically running from June through October. Kansas' commercial cantaloupe and watermelon production is centered around St. John in the South-Central part of the state. Although there are currently no large commercial vegetable growing operations in the state, there are hundreds of small farms providing locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Kansas Wine

An increasing number of Kansas growers are turning to wine grape production. With 15 wineries located throughout the state, Kansas currently produces more than 50,000 gallons of wine annually. To find a winery near you, enter "Kansas" and "Wine" in the Search box.

Growing and Planting seasons

Kansas' four climate zones provide a great environment for growing fruit and vegetables. The typical planting schedule begins in March and April, with harvest on some vegetables beginning as early as May or June. With more than 250 days of sun per year, Kansas provides an ideal growing environment for greenhouse or backyard vegetable gardens and fruit trees.

The growing season in Kansas ranges from about 160 days in the northwest to more than 190 days in the south and southeast parts of the state. Take a look at our "How Long until Harvest" chart to determine which annual crops are the best candidates for gardening during the Kansas growing seasons.

Additional Kansas Locavore information

Every state has a Cooperative Extension System. Regional offices offer location specific advice on a broad array of topics (including gardening), and may be able to provide you with contact information for growers who are not yet registered on our site. Most have gardening hotlines and offer informational fact sheets, soil testing and pest identification for free or a nominal cost. Often the help is provided by Master Gardeners who are trained to assist the agriculture agents with home gardener's needs. To find contact information for your local County Extension Office – Kansas County Extension Offices.

If you would like to ask questions of fellow Kansas Locavores, discuss tips, share recipes, stories, pictures or any another great “Slow Food” discovery, please post it in our Kansas forum by clicking here: Kansas Locavore Forum

State sponsored “Locally Grown” program - Simply Kansas