Aug 24, 2026
By Rick McNary
Jacqui Folks of Eudora is an integral part of agriculture but quickly admits she grew up as a city girl. However, after working for more than 14 years as the Douglas County Farm Bureau coordinator, she understands clearly.
“I knew nothing about agriculture when I started working for Douglas County Farm Bureau,” Jacqui says. “And I have learned we have nothing without agriculture.”
Jacqui’s previous role in corporate America focused on environmental health and safety regulations. However, the company she worked for in downtown Kansas City sold and moved out of state.
George Hunsinger, the president of the Douglas County Farm Bureau board at the time, called and offered her the job.
“I told George I was super nervous because I didn’t know anything about agriculture,” she says. “But then he said, ‘Isn’t that the point? You have fresh eyes and the skills we need to grow our organization.’
“Moving was out of the question,” she says. “Our son Ethan, who is now 26, was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 years old, and I knew at that point my life everything was going to change. Since then, everything had to become two; two jobs, two schedules, two routines, two of everything. My husband, Mike, is a police officer and our shifts line up in such a way that we have been able to provide the support Ethan needs. He was the first student in Eudora diagnosed on paper with autism, so the school learned along with us how to best serve children like him.
“When he graduated high school, we still needed him to be social, so I took over Douglas County Special Olympics as their program director. We now have 103 athletes, and I started a nonprofit, ACES – Autism Community Education and Support – to help fund classroom needs for schools. We also added an event to the county fair last year where a special needs child is paired with another 4-H’er to show baby animals.”
Ethan recently won the gold medal in the 25-yard backstroke and fifth in the 25-yard freestyle at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The town of Eudora hosted “Ethan Folks Day,” complete with a parade and festivities. The Eudora Times stated, “Folks was surprised at his house and given a ride in a fire truck with police escort to Barbwire Barbecue, which overflowed with friends and family. He signed autographs and took pictures with many who came. ‘I was so excited,’ said Folks, who also works at the restaurant. ‘I always wanted my own day.’”
Jacqui’s advocacy for their son gave her the skillsets needed to advocate on behalf of farmers and ranchers, a role that requires her to wear many hats.
“One of my key roles is to work with local 4-H and FFA chapters on youth development,” she says. “We started an Ag Ambassador program for our county a few years ago so I work with them, too. I teach various sessions for Ag in the Classroom, such as the cycle of water, what’s on their plate and where it comes from and that it all, somehow, is traced back to the farmer.
“I also work as a resource for our local producers. After 14 years, I have a lot of connections so I can help our farmers like the one who recently asked if I could help him find bulk water to purchase at a reasonable rate.”
Jacqui was instrumental in encouraging Douglas County Farm Bureau to host two Shop Kansas Farms “Market of Farms” events in Lawrence. Both were well attended to bring both growers and consumers from all over the state.
“When the world shut down for COVID-19, our county Farm Bureau wasn’t traveling so we had two years of unused budget travel line items. I told the board members we had a really golden opportunity to connect growers from all over the state with a Market of Farms event. It was a quick, ‘yes’ vote.
“It was fantastic! A lot of times, local farmers and ranchers kind of stay in their own bubble, but this event helped us to meet producers from all over the state, how they succeed, what their challenges are and how vastly different agriculture is from border to border.”
As we have spent this year celebrating the international year of the woman farmer and rancher, it made sense that we include Jacqui. She is a reminder that you don’t have to be an actual farmer or rancher to be an important part of the group of people who provide food, fuel and fiber for our world.
“I love running the office, broadening our services and getting the community excited about what we do. Our board loves to give back to the community and being a bridge builder is what I like to do best, so it’s a perfect role for me.”
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Jacqui and working with her on the Market of Farms events. She’s a reminder of what one person can do to engage a community to be the best forms of themselves. In my opinion, I think Eudora needs to have a Jacqui Folks Day, too.
Links for Douglas County Farm Bureau:
Website: Douglas County Farm Bureau
Facebook: Douglas County Farm Bureau