The sandhill plum has been designated as Kansas’s official state fruit, joining a list of symbols dating back to the state seal, adopted in 1861.
Next came the state flower, the wild native sunflower, in 1903; the state bird, the western meadowlark, in 1937; and the state song, “Home on the Range,” in 1947, among others. The story behind the adoption of every state symbol can be found on the Kansas Historical Society website, https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/kansas-symbols/17169.
Many of these designations started with the efforts of Kansas schoolchildren. In 1986 when the state was celebrating its 125th birthday, a sixth-grade class in Caldwell nominated the ornate box turtle to be the state reptile, which started the legislative process. Students from Sabetha, Valley Falls, and Healy first supported the sandhill plum as the state fruit.
The process to choose these icons and get their “official” status recognized by the Kansas Legislature provides a great civics lesson for students throughout Kansas. The first step is to have a bill introduced in either the House or the Senate. From there, the bill is referred to committee, where it may be debated, amended and ultimately passed to the second house, where the steps are repeated. If the bill passes, it goes to the governor, who can sign the bill into law or do nothing, in which case the bill becomes law without signature. Or the governor can veto the bill. The Legislature can override a veto by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
As students worked to see the sandhill plum approved, starting in 2021, they learned that it can be a lengthy process.
If the kids ever decide to lobby for an iconic Kansas food, other than sandhill plum jelly, we have a few suggestions. Barbecue, bierocks, and sour cream and raisin pie are at the top of our list.
But “official” designations don’t come along every day. There’s still a debate over what should be the official dance of Kansas.
Congratulations to the students who helped Kansas get an official state fruit. As Governor Laura Kelly said when she signed the bill, those kids need to stay civically engaged as they grow up. We grown-ups should do the same.
