The Kansas Horse Council continues to receive letters and emails of support for the Kansas Equine Education and Promotion Act (K.E.E.P.) The Kansas Equine Education and Promotion Act (K.E.E.P.) would create an equine feed check-off program to generate revenue to be put right back into building and sustaining equine activities, education and assistance programs; plus research and marketing activities in Kansas.
Sustaining equine activities
The Kansas Equine Education and Promotion Act(K.E.E.P.)would create an equine feed check-off program to generate revenue to go into building and sustaining equine activities, education and assistance programs.
Through a voluntary assessment of $.05/50-lb. bag or $2/ton of commercially produced equine feed, the program would require no state resources and no state funding. The estimated annual cost per horse is $1.80.K.E.E.P. will provide a framework to allow the Kansas Equine Industry to promote itself similar to other agricultural pursuits.
Why We Need K.E.E.P.
Equine and goats are the only agricultural commodities in Kansas with no means of self-funding. Beef, dairy cattle, swine, wheat, soybeans, corn, sunflowers, chickens, and even the propane industry have some sort of check-off or assessment that goes back into sustaining their industry.
The check-off is only $.05/50-lb bag of feed, or $2/ton. This is an average of $1.80/ horse per year. If any owner chooses not to participate, a full refund will be given at the end of each year. The nickel per bag is only for commercially processed equine feed; whole oats, corn, or any custom mixed feed will not be affected. The funds raised through the check-off would be distributed through grants awarded by the K.E.E.P. Board twice a year. This is NOT a government program — it's horsemen and women working together for our horses.
How will K.E.E.P. help me and my horse?
EDUCATION – First-time horse owner clinics are as important as advanced educational seminars for experienced equestrians. Grant funds could be used to provide a broad range of essential learning experiences. They could also support 4-H, Boy and Girl Scout, and church equine programs.
PROMOTION – Trail riding is the number one equestrian activity in our state. Grants could be used to maintain existing trails and create new ones. Therapeutic riding facilities could receive financial assistance for building ramps or for training volunteers. County fairgrounds and saddle club arenas could benefit from maintenance and improvement projects.
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS – Grant monies could provide assistance with expenses for castrations, euthanasia, rescue facilities and also create hay/feed banks for families in emergency situations.
EQUINE RESEARCH PROJECTS – The most recent Kansas Equine Survey is 16 years old. Knowing where our equine industry is growing and where it's declining is important in determining the health of our industry and the challenges we face. A dedicated funding stream is vital to the maintenance and growth of our equine industry.