Agriculture Today
I heard someone say the other day, “I don’t know if Lansing High School is a small, big-school or a big small-school. This reflects the metamorphosis the community of Lansing is undergoing currently.
In fewer than twenty years, the town of Lansing, Kansas has evolved from a very rural, agriculturally-based small town into an upscale suburban bedroom community. There are now more Lansing residents that are from elsewhere than those who call her their “home town”. This change in social dynamics is a reflection of the decline of the family farm, the desire for higher-level military families to live off-post, and the increasing value of land around the Kansas City area.
As Kansas City began to spread, the movement was concentrated to the south. As southern Johnson County has witnessed explosive growth, those looking for a similar lifestyle without the traffic have begun to look another direction. This, compounded with the incredible development of the Village West area, has caused many to look to the K-7 corridor as an alternative.
There are a few farm kids around that are proud to be called that, but that number is dwindling. Most kids in the school today live in subdivisions. Those whose parents have built houses outside of town may have a horse or a garden, but it is far from the family farm of a few years ago. Farmers have realized that more money can be made in other occupations. Many high paying jobs are within driving distance of their rural homes and the land they are sitting on will only increase in value. Others, have chosen to sell off their acreage, making millions if in the right spot. People can simply make more money doing other things.
Finally, the desire for high-quality schools brings many to the Lansing district. Mid and high-level military officers either attending the CGSC or as teachers at Fort Leavenworth, choose Lansing as the place to send their children. These kids bring with them great discipline, high expectations, and a sense of the world outside of Lansing, Kansas. It is no wonder that Lansing schools out-perform many neighboring school districts. As that continues, more and more parents want their kids a part of that.
This metamorphosis has caused a lot of uneasiness in the hearts of those I refer to as “old Lansing”. They remember the days when Lansing was heavily agricultural and less suburban. Occasionally, policies get written based on the old way and Lansing has yet to realize its true identity.
In fewer than twenty years, the town of Lansing, Kansas has evolved from a very rural, agriculturally-based small town into an upscale suburban bedroom community. There are now more Lansing residents that are from elsewhere than those who call her their “home town”. This change in social dynamics is a reflection of the decline of the family farm, the desire for higher-level military families to live off-post, and the increasing value of land around the Kansas City area.
As Kansas City began to spread, the movement was concentrated to the south. As southern Johnson County has witnessed explosive growth, those looking for a similar lifestyle without the traffic have begun to look another direction. This, compounded with the incredible development of the Village West area, has caused many to look to the K-7 corridor as an alternative.
There are a few farm kids around that are proud to be called that, but that number is dwindling. Most kids in the school today live in subdivisions. Those whose parents have built houses outside of town may have a horse or a garden, but it is far from the family farm of a few years ago. Farmers have realized that more money can be made in other occupations. Many high paying jobs are within driving distance of their rural homes and the land they are sitting on will only increase in value. Others, have chosen to sell off their acreage, making millions if in the right spot. People can simply make more money doing other things.
Finally, the desire for high-quality schools brings many to the Lansing district. Mid and high-level military officers either attending the CGSC or as teachers at Fort Leavenworth, choose Lansing as the place to send their children. These kids bring with them great discipline, high expectations, and a sense of the world outside of Lansing, Kansas. It is no wonder that Lansing schools out-perform many neighboring school districts. As that continues, more and more parents want their kids a part of that.
This metamorphosis has caused a lot of uneasiness in the hearts of those I refer to as “old Lansing”. They remember the days when Lansing was heavily agricultural and less suburban. Occasionally, policies get written based on the old way and Lansing has yet to realize its true identity.
posted by huttont | 2:11 PM
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