Larson Ag Recognized by Kansas Bankers Association

March 1, 2023

The Kansas Bankers Soil Conservation Award is given each year by the Kansas Bankers Association cooperating with NRCS, FSA, Extension Service, Kansas State University, State Conservation Commission and the Wallace County Conservation District. The award is presented each year to stimulate a greater interest in the conservation of our natural resources by giving recognition to farmers and ranchers who have made outstanding progress in the development of a complete soil conservation plan and implementation of that plan on their farms in accordance with the capability of the land.
This year the Kansas Bankers Association would like to recognize Larson Ag LLC/Bart & Whitney Larson of Sharon Springs, KS for the Conservation Award.  Bart grew up on a farm and ranch south of Wallace. Immediately following high school graduation, he went on a custom harvest crew that traveled across the Midwest cutting wheat. After many years of travel, Bart decided to settle down in Goodland where he was a main hired man for Jeff Henderson Farms for 7 years. Jeff pushed him to want more and to go out on his own. He also met Whitney along the way as this is where she was raised. In 2011, they married and in 2012 Larson Ag LLC was formed and he began custom spraying. Along the way, relationships grew and Bart was able to pick up some rented acres for himself. Bart was eventually able to purchase his first piece of ground with the FSA first time farmer program.  
Bart and Whitney jointly own and operate Larson Ag with their 3 children: Bodie, Layton and Rowdy. Together they row-crop wheat, milo and corn. Farming was instilled in Bart at a young age by his late grandpa; whether it was tagging along to farm auctions or hauling bales with the semi after hopping off the school bus. Farming has been a part of his entire life and he is now sharing that passion with Whitney and their kids. Whitney did not grow up in agriculture but quickly saw Bart’s love for this way of life and jumped in feet first.  
They have practiced no-till since 2015 when they first started farming; no-till being a practice that leaves organic matter in the fields and conserves what precious rain or snow this county does receive as well as keeping topsoil in the fields, not blowing away with the Kansas wind and drought conditions. Rotating crops has also been something Bart has implemented in the years past, especially with the drought present. Bart has a passion for his spray program and trying new things to keep weeds from invading a precious crop. He enjoys his time in the sprayer or planter. Whitney's favorite part of farming is harvest and that they get to do this together. “Where else can you take your kids to work with you and spend your days doing what you love together?”   
They have seen large benefits to these practices and this way of farming and will continue to practice this as well as look to implement new technologies for years to come, with a goal to remain sustainable in hopes of having their kids come back and be a part of the legacy they are building together.
Bart's famous words are “Don't sweat the small stuff,” and Whitney’s, “Everyday may not be good but there is some good in each day.”  Two things as farmers we can all turn to on a weekly or even daily basis.
Congratulations to Bart and Whitney Larson for their efforts in implementing conservation practices that help preserve our natural resources in Wallace County.\

Jeff Brase presents the Kansas Bankers Soil Conservation Award to Whitney and Bart Larson of Larson Ag, LLC.