Festivals, Fair, and Fall on the horizon. Welcome to August

Democracy Fest - Colby, Dodge City and Hays

A. Democracy Fests - Gather in Western Kansas

Kansas Democrats are on the move - hosting three all-state gatherings in western Kansas this fall. Our "Democracy Fests" will be held over 3 Saturdays: 9/20 in Colby, 10/11 in Dodge City, and 10/18 in Hays.

Visit Kansas Dems website for sign up and details

Volunteers Needed - The local host Democratic committees in Colby, Dodge City and Hays welcome volunteers to help. Food and Farm Caucus is helping organize the longer-distance helpers - reach out to confirm which events you can volunteer for and we will get you connected.

B. State Fair

Volunteers Needed for the KDP Booth at the Kansas State Fair, held in Hutchinson, Friday 9/5 through Sunday 9/14.

Help Kansans connect with the Democratic Party - and enjoy the air conditioning in the Meadowlark Building (our spot is way better than the GOPs). Many shifts available. No experience needed. The Kansas County Chairs Caucus organizes the booth.

For more information and to schedule, visit the sign-up genius link. See also ad this page. Slots also for helpers with setup Sept 2-4. County Parties are encouraged to also take on full blocks during the weekdays.

C. Platform Adoption, Meeting Aug 23.

The Kansas Democratic Party Platform is up for its regular 4-year renewal and readoption. The full Platform committee, made up of executive committee members, county party chairs and co-chairs, currented elected officials and recent past candidates, will meet in-person in Wichita on Saturday August 23 to finalize the process.

If you are one of those individuals, you should have received your formal invitation and RSVP request from the state party recently. (Check with KDP if you don't see it).

A new potential draft of the platform has been created by a preparatory committee - we understand it will be more streamlined and values-driven in narrative and shared in draft form with the full Platform Committee members very soon. The full Platform Committee will then have the opportunity on Aug 23rd to consider amendments and revisions.

Registered Kansas Democrats may submit input ideas on priorities for the platform. You may also read the current platform, adopted in 2021.

Special for Food and Farm & Rural Caucus members: If you have food, farming and rural community input to provide, please do fill out the form and also contact Food and Farm Caucus so we can share and represent your priorities. You may also want to read this special Food and Farm page regarding the 2021 platform.

Special for All: In fact, all Harvest Blue readers should share your feedback with your local County Democratic party leaders and leaders of the various Kansas Democratic Caucuses that most align with your issues. Together we build.

D. State Committee Meets Aug 23

Saturday August 23, will also host a formal meeting on the full State Committee. This will act as the second of 2 official annual meetings held by the state Committee each year, and will convene in hybrid format in the morning prior to the Platform Committee. Those who will be in Wichita or wish to travel can attend in person, but online participation is also available. The state party hopes this will help with travel, convenience and quorum. State Party delegates and alternates should have received their invitation - contact the KDP if you don't see yours. Online participation requires RSVP well in advance to allow for organized credentialing - see invitation for details. The meeting will include significant updates on the party's progress in 2025 and plans for 2026.

E. CECOT Accountability - Read Harvest Blue

As we work to overcome the deep damage inflicted by the MAGA regime, we must confront in particular the crime our government committed in sending over 200 Venezuelan men to an unaccountable gulag in El Salvador. Hear their stories first hand. And to put this outrage into context with all the others, visit our "We Are Watching" series - a diary of our decline under Trump and a commitment to face it squarely.

These are just a few of our many efforts at Harvest Blue to dig deeper and speak louder.

Picture of yard sign with sunflower on blue background and the words Real Kansans, Real Voterss, Real Fed Up — Real Kansans, Real Voters, Real Fed Up

F. Real Kansans, Real Fed Up Signs

These popular signs continue to make their way all around the state, courtesy of Salina Indivisible and Push PAC. To order yours:

Order here via Salina Indivisible Order form
Then Donate online via Push PAC to help foster the sign project (their requested donation is $10/sign)
Contact Shannon at Salina Indivisible at salinaindivisible@gmail.com if questions

Food and Farm Caucus has a small stash available for our members as well as starter packs for smaller rural county parties or other clubs --- contact Food and Farm for more info.

G. Calendar

The Kansas Democratic Party Calendar has added many one time events and ongoing activities.

Our own Harvest Blue Community Calendar also highlights state and local events.

If you can volunteer to help us keep the calendar current, we’d be grateful.

This newsletter compiled by the Food and Farm Caucus.

Plantings, Aug 2025 - Fair!