An annual tradition for me each August is my swing through central and western Kansas. This time without the constraints of votes in Washington allows me to sit on the wagon tongue with Kansans to get candid view points, advice and counsel as I work to represent the state.

This year we logged more than 2,000 miles on the road. Some of the major stops on the swing reflect the results of new initiatives in our state’s economy and in our rural development. I learned a great deal from enterprising and creative folks whose efforts in our own backyard will help Kansas remain competitive in a global marketplace.

We began the tour with a ribbon cutting and dedication of the new Kansas Air National Guard Intelligence squadron at McConnell Air Base in Wichita. Most of what is taking place at this facility is classified. But as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I can tell you that many Kansans are working everyday to provide important intelligence to our government officials and our men and women in the fields of battle. They are the only National Guard unit in the nation doing this kind of work, and I could not be more proud of the efforts of these Kansans to protect our national security.

After the event at McConnell, I traveled to McPherson to tour the Hospira plant. Hospira is a developer and producer of many pharmaceutical and medical delivery products. I have long supported efforts to expand the biosciences industry in the state of Kansas. The folks at Hospira are on the cutting edge not just nationally but on a world wide level as well. They are an incredible company sitting in the middle of Kansas. They currently employ more than 800 people and are an important part of the central Kansas economy.

During a stop in Liberal, I toured the cotton warehouse. You might be surprised to know it’s the largest single building warehousing cotton in the United States. From there I traveled to Moscow to tour the cotton gin. The growth of cotton production in Kansas is an amazing story. Ten years ago, Kansas grew almost no cotton. This year we have 123,000 acres planted in cotton and five operating cotton gins.

I am proud that the growth in this production can be traced directly to the production flexibility begun under the 1996 Farm Bill, which I authored and passed as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. While it was a major policy change for U.S. farmers, I viewed it more as putting Kansas common sense into farming – letting producers choose the best crops for their operation. That is exactly what has happened here and the Kansas economy is growing as a result.

At virtually every stop along the way whether in Goodland, Colby, Norton, Stockton, Hays or Dodge City, farmers took the opportunity to bend my ear. It was good to see many old friends, but it was also exciting to see many new, younger faces of the next generation of our farmers and ranchers.

During our meetings we discussed many issues impacting farming today. Energy prices and the drought are making it tough on many producers. After seeing the dry conditions first hand and hearing from producers, I committed to supporting a disaster assistance package when I return to Washington.

Immigration, tax relief and our national security have also been hot topics at each stop including Salina and Russell. During these visits, I have committed to doing all I can to better secure our borders, pass a good Farm Bill and give our men and women in uniform all they need to do their jobs in protecting us.

This trip through Kansas shows that while drought and energy prices have made it tough on many of our small communities, Kansans are still some of the most determined and patriotic people you’ll ever find. We have a new mission in the war on terror, we have harnessed new technologies, are growing new crops and we are creating new futures for our rural areas.

If you would like to know more about issues before the Senate, please visit my Web site at https://www.roberts.senate.gov . For regular updates, be sure to sign up on my home page for a monthly e-newsletter, The Roberts Report.