Kansas Rural Center has received funding for a project that will have Kansas and Japanese organic farming professionals sharing ideas and looking for ways to improve organic agriculture.

The 18-month project, Nurturing Communities through Local Food Networks, will develop cross-cultural dialogue between Kansas and Japanese farmers, nongovernmental organizations and policymakers. The hope is to develop innovative responses to problems in the modern food system, according to a Kansas Rural Center press release.

The grant, which is from the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership of New York and Tokyo, is for $71,500. Another $47,000 will be provided through in-kind services and additional funding.

This spring, a group of 10 Kansans will travel to Saitama, Japan. A similar group will then visit Lawrence. The project will include public outreach and pilot programs in each of the communities in hopes of generating public interest in growing and consuming more local foods.