Like many farmers, the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame struggles to hold on from one year to the next.

After being closed last year except for special events, the 50-year-old hall in Bonner Springs will reopen this weekend, thanks to a financial windfall, volunteers and a new executive director.

Board president Clausie Smith says this will be a pivotal year for the center, which opened in 1965 and has struggled financially for years. He says the board will work on a strategic plan that will be the basis for a campaign to bring in new exhibits and increased programming.

The sale of 5 acres last year allowed the organization to pay off some of its debts and provide cash sufficient to reopen.

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Associated Press information from: The Kansas City Star