Established in 1966, Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge occupies an area of the broad Neosho River Valley upstream of John Redmond Reservoir. The wetlands that dominate the Refuge are prime resting areas for migratory waterfowl and a paradise for waterfowl observation and hunting.
Farming Opportunities at Flint Hills NWR

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

FLINT HILLS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

P.O. Box 128, Hartford, Kansas 66854

September 25, 2026

Contact: Branden Doering, (620) 392-5553

Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge announces farming opportunities near Hartford, Kansas

Hartford, Kansas- Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge in Coffey and Lyon Counties, Kansas has a Cooperative Agricultural Agreement opportunity for the farming of 614.7 acres on the Refuge starting in March 2027 and continuing through December 2029. 

The 614.7 acres of farm ground are available on the Refuge for cash rent. The Refuge plans to offer this farmland in three units through Cooperative Agricultural Agreements. These contracts will be awarded by the Refuge through a competitive bid process (cash rent per acre).   

Sealed bids can be delivered by hand, mailed to P.O Box 128 Hartford, KS 66854, or emailed to branden_doering@fws.gov. All bids must be received by 9:00 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The bid opening will be held at the Refuge office at 530 W. Maple Ave., in Hartford, KS, and is open to the public. The opportunity will be awarded to the highest bidder. All applicants will be notified by COB October 28, 2026. For more information or to obtain a bid package, please contact Assistant Refuge Manager Branden Doering at 620-392-5553.

National Wildlife Refuges offer cooperative farming opportunities to provide benefits to both wildlife and to the people in the community.  To support wildlife conservation there are certain requirements for farming on the Refuge which include:  seeds planted on the Refuge are required to be non-GMO as indicated by the seed supplier and free of seed treatments that include neonicotinoids. For a copy of the “Cooperative Farming Conditions” please contact the Refuge office at 620-392-5553.

Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 560 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the nation’s premier network of lands managed for fish and wildlife conservation.  Many units of the National Refuge System, including the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, work closely with local agricultural producers to provide crop share opportunities that support both agricultural and wildlife conservation needs.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service.

For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, , visit www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie, and connect us at www.facebook.com/USFWSMountainPrairie, http://twitter.com/USFWSMtnPrairie, www.youtube.com/usfws and www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie.

-FWS-

Visit Us

Depending on the time of year you visit Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge - you may see flooded fields full of waterfowl or moist soil units full of flowering plants and pollinators. The diverse habitat of the Refuge is accessible by numerous roads crossing the Refuge including an auto tour route on the south side of the Neosho River. The Refuge is a major resting and stopping area for migratory waterfowl in the fall and spring and provides amazing opportunities for bird watchers.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Located in east central Kansas, Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge lies in the broad, flat, Neosho River Valley. The Refuge is located in the tallgrass prairie region of the country, the Refuge is named for the gently rolling, fossil-studded hills found to the west of the Refuge. These hills were laid down when seas blanketed the area 250 million years. The Neosho and Cottonwood Rivers provide most of the water for the Refuge, which is located at the upstream end of John Redmond Reservoir. Refuge habitats include wetlands, bottomland hardwood forests, grasslands, river riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

      Learn more about riparian       areas, and agricultural lands.

      What We Do

      Refuge staff use a variety of tools to manage and improve the habitats on the Refuge. Historically, the Neosho River floodplain was covered with hundreds of shallow wetlands, but most of these natural wetlands have been lost due to agriculture and other developments. Refuge staff use an intensive wetland technique termed moist soil management ,which mimics natural processes of rising and falling water levels. By controlling water levels, and with disking, mowing, and burning treatments, the Refuge produces ideal conditions for seed producing plants to grow. These seeds along with aquatic insects provide an abundant food source for migratory waterfowl.

      Our Species

      Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for migrating waterfowl and it's location in the Central Flyway provides an excellent opportunity to see a variety of wildlife.