MANHATTAN – The Young Farmers & Ranchers of Kansas Farm Bureau are taking advantage of a captive audience of NASCAR fans from throughout the Midwest this weekend to share the good word about family farming, ranching and rural living.
KFB’s Young Farmers & Ranchers are hosting the Farm American/Furniture Row #78 NASCAR Sprint Cup team at the National Agricultural Center & Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs.
“What a great opportunity to share our way of life,” said Jeff Bathurst, A Dickinson County farmer who serves as this year‘s Chair of KFB’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. “We hope race fans will take some time during their weekend race experience to make their way to the National Agriculture Center & Hall of Fame, just one mile west of the Kansas Speedway.”  
Young South Dakota agriculture advocates Troy and Stacy Hadrick is also be present to lend a hand.     
The race car will be on display at the National Agricultural Center & Hall of Fame Friday through Sunday. The driver of the #78, Regan Smith, has five top 10 finishes this season in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series.   
“I grew up in farm country in Cato, N.Y. (near Syracuse) and my parents were both raised on a farm,” said #78 Farm American driver Regan Smith. “So for me to have the opportunity to be a voice for the American farmer and rancher is truly an  honor. Furniture Row cares deeply about the agriculture industry and I am proud to wear the Farm American colors this weekend at Kansas Speedway.”
The Kansas Speedway will host NASCAR’s Nationwide Series Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday and the Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday. Sunday’s race was among NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup.
“I really encourage fans to visit the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame this weekend,” Smith added. “Kansas Farm Bureau and Agro Liquid Fertilizers will have the Farm American show car, with plenty of young farmers and ranchers from across Kansas to talk and have a great time with.”
The Young Farmers and Ranchers, an integral part of Kansas Farm Bureau, are hard-working agriculture professionals  dedicated to developing their leadership skills and empowering others to become actively involved in agriculture advocacy, promotion and education.