Senator Roger Marshall visits Flora Food Group in Hugoton. Pictured from the left are Lenny Oromo, Sarah Leakey, Senator Marshall, Fabrice Stock and Jan Leonard. Photo courtesy of Jan Leonard. (media was not allowed)
Last week, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. toured Flora Food Group in Hugoton. There, he met with leadership, including Plant Manager Sarah Lackey, Head of Engineering Fabrice Stock, HR Manager Becky Edwards, and Government Relations Director Christine Corcoran, as well as Stevens County Economic Development Director Jan Leonard.
During the tour, the team explained to Senator Marshall that Flora Food Group is investing around $90 million and adding around 100 new jobs. The plant also supports the strong dairy market in the
region.
Senator Marshall also highlighted the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, signed into law in January, which allows schools to serve whole milk through the National School Lunch Program, in an effort to increase dairy consumption. Senator Marshall, who leads the Congressional Make America Healthy Again Caucus, supports the
Administration’s Eat Real Food campaign.
The Senator’s stop in Hugoton was part of a larger “Four Corners, Fifty Counties” tour across the state of Kansas. The Senator focused his meetings in Southwest Kansas on agriculture and value-added processing, rural health care, law enforcement, and other
priorities affecting rural communities. From biofuels and water conservation to rural jobs, public safety, and farmer mental health,
Senator Marshall focused on policies that strengthen Kansas families and keep southwest Kansas growing.
At the end of the day, Senator Marshall and his team drove to Ashland once they heard the town was under evacuation due to wildfires. The Senator delivered water to local first responders and thanked them for the work they’re doing to save their community. Senator Marshall’s office has since engaged with USDA to respond to local farmers’ and cattle producers’ needs for financial aid and program flexibilities. Any agriculture producer who needs assistance with fire damage in Western Kansas can reach out to the Garden City office at 620-765-7800.