K-State Landowner Conference Returns Nov. 10-11 in Manhattan

Kansas State University agricultural economics will host its fourth annual Kansas Landowner Conference on Nov. 10-11 at the K-State Alumni Center in Manhattan, with individual registration set at $400 and a two-person partner rate at $700.

The registration deadline is Nov. 2. Participants register through the K-State agricultural economics online storefront at commerce.cashnet.com/cashneti/static/storefront/KSUAGECON/catalog.

Who is the conference for?

The program serves Kansas agricultural landowners regardless of where they live. K-State designed it specifically for owners who do not reside on their property or who live outside Kansas altogether.

Organizers frame the event around two goals: building networks among landowners and expanding their knowledge of land management. Attendees connect both with other owners and with K-State experts in agricultural economics.

What does the agenda cover?

The conference program addresses four topic areas:

• Trade, tariffs and world conflict, and what they mean for U.S. agriculture
• The U.S. economic outlook
• Kansas land values and land as an investment
• Farm estate planning considerations

The trade and tariff session lands as producers and landowners weigh policy shifts that ripple through commodity prices, basis and rental markets. The land-values segment speaks directly to owners evaluating farmland as an investment class. Estate planning rounds out the agenda, a perennial concern for absentee owners managing transitions across generations and state lines.

What does registration cost?

Two registration options are available. Individual registration costs $400. Partner registration costs $700 and covers two people. Individuals registering alone should leave the fields for the second person's name blank during online registration.

The Nov. 2 deadline applies to both options.

Is there a veterans' discount?

Yes. U.S. military veterans qualify for a registration discount, offered in recognition of Veterans Day, which falls one day after the conference concludes.

Veterans must request a discount code before registering. They can email Robin Reid at [email protected] or call 785-532-0964 to obtain the code. K-State advises veterans to secure the code first, then complete registration through the standard online portal.

Why it matters

Absentee ownership is a growing share of Kansas farmland, and the conference agenda reflects the decisions those owners face — from tariff-driven market risk to valuation and succession. The $400 entry price buys two days of direct access to K-State agricultural economists and a peer network of owners in similar positions.

Landowners who want a seat have until Nov. 2 to register, and veterans have an extra reason to call Robin Reid's office before they do.