We Kan! Tidbits

August 14, 2025

The Kansas Sampler Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit located near Inman.

Our mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture. We do this by educating Kansans about Kansas and networking and support rural communities.

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Tips from the KSF PowerUp Manager

The power of education and entrepreneurship: Since back-to-school season is upon us, we want to share this interesting thought from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. Clear says “Education teaches you to analyze. Entrepreneurship teaches you to create. The educated mind is great at dissecting and criticizing….The entrepreneurial mindset is great at building and improving. Design a better product. Craft a new marketing plan. Stop talking about what’s wrong and make something better. The trick is to keep learning, but never lose your ability to build.” We think this is a great reminder for PowerUps, PowerOns, and Explorers; let’s stay curious and keep learning about the places we call home and the world around us, and don’t be afraid to build and improve while you’re at it. To learn about the other PowerUp values and principles visit our website here.

Time for a Do-alogue! Rethinking Design with Intention.

Aug. 28, 10a-2p. $30.

Near Lecompton.

Deadline to register is Friday, August 15.

This Do-alogue is for community leaders, do-ers, and Good Thinkers who want to learn how to convert an older building into a more modern space that can be used with specific intention. How do we pull threads of a building's past into the future so it doesn't feel like another old version of what it was but rather a space that can respond to the modern needs of visitors, users, etc.?

Come learn how to rethink design with intention from Katie Winter and Megan Embers at Winter School, a one room schoolhouse. Winter School is on the National Register of Historic Places and is thoughtfully used and adheres to modern guidelines and needs such as ADA.

This is an ideal do-alogue if you have an older space (one-room school house, church, jail) perhaps and would like to breathe new life into the space while honoring its past. Lunch is included with your registration.

We Kan! Award: Congratulations to Shelly Hansel of SCTelcom! In a recent flash mob surprise presentation, Shelly, long-time advocate of all things Kansas, received a We Kan! award for being "Loud and Proud for Kansas." Congratulate Shelly at hansel@sctelcom.com.

Award plate made by Stacy Barnes.

Barn quilt mural: This "barn quilt" in Stockton is thought to be the largest in Kansas, and maybe in the U.S. Learn about more things to see on do on U.S. 24 at hwy24.org.

Photo from FB page

Talkin' Trails: As the Sunflower Health Foundation works to identify what’s next for Sunflower Trails, it invites anyone who cares about trails, health and community development to join its virtual listening tour Talkin’ Trails with Sunflower and help shape the future of trail investments in Kansas. These free, informal, drop-in Zoom sessions are scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month through October, with the next session on Aug. 19. No registration is required, and there is no formal agenda. Just click here to join the conversation and tell us your trail ideas, challenges and stories!

Humanities 250 exhibition: Humanities Kansas announces a call for hosts for the Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy, a special traveling exhibition coming to Kansas in 2026. Kansas nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply to host this special FREE exhibition in their community. The deadline for applications is August 22. Learn more here.

Rural Grocery Specialist: The Rural Grocery Transition specialist program is an online course designed to train resource providers to better support rural grocery business transitions. Register by August 25 for this September 1 through November 30 class.

Kansas Foodpreneur Bootcamp: The Kansas Foodpreneur Bootcamp is a 6-week online learning program specifically designed for restaurant and food truck owners brought to you by Network Kansas and America's SBDC. Register by September 1 for early bird pricing. This 6 week program begins October 1 and runs through November 12.

Grants for healthy food access: Kansas Healthy Foods Initiative is offering its second round of pre-development technical assistance grants to organizations and businesses that are planning projects to expand healthy food access at retail outlets. The deadline to apply is September 28.

Preservation grants: Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds provide seed money for preservation projects at the local level. Grants range from $2,500 to $5,000. Deadline to apply is October 1.

Promote your events: The Kansas Tourism event calendar is one of the most visited pages on TravelKS.com. Don't miss your chance to promote your upcoming events such as Labor Day, Halloween, and any Fall Festivals. Click here for instructions on how to add your events. If you need Extranet access or additional help contact Hunter at Hunter.Feyerherm@ks.gov.

Antique farm machinery: The Wakefield Museum Association is in the process of closing the Republican Valley Farm Machinery Association and liquidating the building and contents. It contains a substantial collection of items donated by area farm families, including farm implements of every sort, many of them horse-drawn. For more information, or if anyone would like to see a photograph of specific items, please contact Wakefield Museum Association board president Joy Shandy at 785.463.5321.

Children & Family resources: 1800CHILDRENKS.org is a searchable database and mobile app with over 5,500 resources available to support Kansas children and families. Community-based organizations are invited to join this network by creating a free account to claim and update their programs.

Cowboy Hall of Fame: You're invited to honor remarkable individuals, both living legends and those who have passed, by nominating them for induction into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is November 8 in Dodge City.

Elevate Kansas: Elevate Kansas Community Development Forums are regional gatherings connecting leaders, funders, and changemakers to strengthen the future of Kansas communities. Find dates and more information here.

Juniper Arts Academy: Consider Juniper Arts Academy to empower youth in the foster care or juvenile justice systems through trauma-informed fine arts education.

AI helps with virtual Town Hall Meeting: An idea from Bowling Green, Kentucky. Rather than hold an in-person town hall meeting that a small percentage would attend, Bowling Green did a month-long online survey about policy changes the citizens wanted to see in their city. The results were then synthesized by an AI tool and made into a policy report, which is still visible for the public to see on the website. The AI summary removed any political bias.

New way to look at old: Ideas from Deb Brown of saveyour.town: These women, The Old Broads, set up at the Long Beach (CA) Farmers Market to give free advice. In Clontarf, MN a group was formed: the Pillars of the Community. These older women want to be involved in events and activities, but in a way that helps and doesn't require too much energy. They often set up at local events and have a great time answering questions, giving advice, and enjoying all the conversations.

In Akron, Iowa, a group of older men brought their woodworking equipment and other tools to an empty building downtown. They help anyone in town who wants to build something without having to buy all the necessary tools. They also work with high school kids.

State grants: See this schedule of grants offered through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Food Business Start-Up Summit: The Food Business Start-Up Summit, happening September 11–13, in Lawrence is not your typical conference — it's a hands-on, working retreat designed to move your business forward. Learn more.

Rural Assembly Everywhere: Join Rural Assembly Everywhere 2025 online on Wednesday, September 17. It's a free virtual gathering for rural leaders, community members, advocates, and allies. This year’s theme A Bigger Pie: Cultivating Abundance in a Time of Scarcity is an invitation to imagine new ways to expand opportunity, share resources, and build a more connected, thriving rural America. Register here.

Unlock your brain: Attend a conference outside of your usual work topics!

Upcoming conferences:

Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference, September 17-20, Albuquerque, NM
Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations, October 15-17, Wichita
Kansas Tourism Conference, October 20-21, Manhattan
Kansas Housing Conference, October 27-29, Overland Park
Governor's Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas, November 12-13, Manhattan
Kansas Museums Association Annual Conference, November 19-21, Great Bend.

One Thing: Our statewide road trip has been delayed for a bit but here are a few places we've been lately.

Lyons, Rice County: Population 3,562. Now home to the World's Largest Salt Shaker and a mural that declares "Lyons: Worth our weight in salt!"

Wilson, Ellsworth County: Population 826. The ruins of the Wilson Opera House are taking shape nicely as an outdoor amphitheater. Stage yet to be added.

Ness City, Ness County: Population 1,291. The restored Ness City Opera House is home to Sheepdog Brewing Company!

St. Francis, Cheyenne County: Population 1,280. There's a new park in St. Francis with a new pickleball court and sand volleyball court.

See previous Tidbits: The Julyl We Kan! Tidbits was full of excellent information.

Sign up for We Kan! Tidbits: If this Tidbits is forwarded to you, go here to sign up for this monthly blast. Find the KSF Facebook page here.

Big Kansas Road Trip Pop Ups:

Sept. 6, Pop Up in Halstead

Oct. 4, Pop Up in Sheridan County

A project of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, the Pop Ups are designed to connect a curious and thoughtful public with communities just being themselves. Learn more here. Sponsored by Papa Baldy's, a popcorn company.

Donate here to support the work of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. If your name is one this list, thank you.

Kansas Sampler Foundation Board of Directors: Stacy Barnes, Greensburg, president; Sarah Werner, Winfield; Luke Mahin, Courtland; Dave Procter, Manhattan; Lea Ann Seiler, Hanston. Staff: Marci Penner, WenDee Rowe, Inman; Simone Elder, Tribune; Kim Clark, The Highlands.