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Tag: Jefferson West High School

Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Pat Happer – Meriden, Part 2

Posted on by Mary Lou Peter

When I’m tired and need some coffee, I know it’s time to go to the farmhouse. But if I lived at Meriden, I might go to a different type of farmhouse – spelled Pharm House, with a PH as in pharmacy. This Pharm House is a specialty coffee shop that the Farrant family created next to the pharmacy in Meriden. It’s another example of the Farrant family’s community spirit, which is helping the local school district and the broader community.

Jake Farrant (l.) and Pat Happer.

Last week we learned about Jake Farrant and Kansas Turf, his family-owned sports construction company in Meriden. Pat Happer, the school superintendent at Jefferson West High School in Meriden, provided additional information on this company’s benefit to the community.  Continue reading “Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Pat Happer – Meriden, Part 2” →

Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Jake Farrant – Meriden, Part 1

Posted on by Mary Lou Peter

The football players run onto the field for summer practice at Jefferson West High School. But something is different: This field is covered by artificial turf which was last used by the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. How did NFL turf come to be on a high school football field? It’s due to a hometown Kansas company which specializes in turf installation across the country.

Jake Farrant of Meriden, Kansas is founder and president of Meriden, Kansas-based Kansas Turf. Pictured are Jake and Kysa Farrant and their children.

Jake Farrant is founder and president of this remarkable company named Kansas Turf.  Jake grew up at Meriden. As a kid, he mowed lawns and helped with his uncle’s golf course and sod farm business in Topeka. He also loved football, starting at quarterback at Jefferson West High School and then at Ottawa University.

After graduation, he returned to Meriden and continued to help his uncle. He also became an assistant football coach at his alma mater, Jeff West. When the family was approached about building a multi-sport complex, which didn’t fit the work of his uncle’s company, Jake saw the opportunity to go into business for himself. In 2008, Kansas Turf was born.

Continue reading “Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Jake Farrant – Meriden, Part 1” →