The Flickner Farm
Innovating for the future but rooted in history
The Flickner Farm, located in Moundridge, Kansas, has a long history reaching back to the 1870s. Ray Flickner is the 5th generation to farm this land, which now consists of more than 850 acres with 10 individual water rights. The Flickner Farm uses sub-surface drip irrigation (SSDI) and precision mobile drip irrigation (PMDI) to grow corn, wheat and soybeans; many of the fields are no-till or limited strip till, and soil conservation techniques continue to be implemented. The family's commitment to improved soil health and sustainable water use makes the Flickner Farm a perfect location for testing new technologies and innovative solutions for these issues.
Ongoing projects at the Flickner Innovation Farm will help fine-tune existing irrigation, soil-health and other agricultural technologies while exploring ways that new innovations can improve soil health and conserve water on Kansas farmland. We hope to harvest the advantages of new technology and current research with our comprehensive team of experienced growers, agronomists, watershed specialists, university researchers and industry specialists.
Together, we hope to extend the reach of standard agricultural practices while improving yields and preserving natural resources.
Save the date!
This spring, ID3A, Kansas 4-H and KCARE are co-hosting an engaging Ag Tech Day in Moundridge, Kansas at the Flickner Innovation Farm. This event is geared to give youth in grades 5-12 the unique opportunity to explore the farm and learn about both new and established technologies that are helping make farm management easier and more efficient for producers.
A wide variety of stations will be set up around the farm for attendees to visit while they learn from presenters.
Stations may include:
- Unmanned aircraft systems and drone technologies
- John Deere technologies
- Sensors
- An under canopy robot
- Technology for finding and tracking insects
The event will be held at the Flickner Innovation Farm from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 4. Attendees are welcome to come and go as they please, and snacks will be provided!
You can learn more about the Leopold Conservation Award Class of 2023 in this video, which features both Ray and Susan Flickner. More information about the specific state awardees can be found in this publication.