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June 3, 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
Creating the choir in action: Last month, we shared about the power of creating the choir. At Winfield High School, Amanda Porter, language arts teacher, instructs and leads seniors to create a digital portfolio that allows them to reflect on what they’ve accomplished and what future goals they set for themselves. Ms. Porter then coordinates exit interviews between each student and groups of volunteer community members. The results of these interviews are not only experiential learning for the seniors, but an opportunity for the school district to showcase the “product” of a public education to community members and for community members to get to know students outside of their extracurricular roles. One of the things students must identify is obstacles in reaching their goal - what a tremendous opportunity to make a valuable connection for those students. There have even been former students who have returned or stayed in Winfield who are part of the community member interview panel. Talk about a great example of creating the choir. If you have questions for Amanda about this class, the portfolios or the interviews, she can be reached at amanda_porter@usd465.com.
If you have another example of creating the choir you'd like to share, email Simone Elder at simone.elder@kansassampler.org, KSF PowerUp & Engagement Manager.
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Rural grants: If you are a rural community in a county of less than 50,000 population, do yourself a favor and check out the myriad of grant options that you could apply for through Patterson. The letter of intent for Round Two is due July 3 so keep that in mind. Their website will help you understand the process. Learn more.
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Office of Rural Prosperity & Commerce Grants: Take a look at these grants! TAPS invests in projects that will leverage creative placemaking; SIGNS improves the appearance and appeal of retail and commercial business signage in downtowns. Here are more grants through Commerce.
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Sod & Stubble: The book, Sod & Stubble, was written about a homesteading experience in Osborne County. Now a movie, it was filmed in Kansas (near Downs) and written and directed by a Kansan (Ken Spurgeon). It is now available in movie theaters across the state. If your theater would like to show it, contact Ken Spurgeon (kspurgeon76@gmail.com or 316.259.4182) and he'll connect you with distributors. Watch the trailer. Here are some places it is scheduled to be presented.
| | Kansas Business Awards Nominations: Nominations are open for the 2025 To the Stars: Kansas Business Awards. This is your chance to help recognize outstanding businesses and individuals who are doing great things in Kansas. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, July 7. Find the 11 different categories and nomination forms here. | | |
Trail recognition: American Trails named Sunflower Foundation as its Trails for Health award winner for 2025. Dr. Elizabeth Burger, senior vice president of programs and strategy for the foundation, accepted the award on April 15, during the International Trails Summit in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference: June 26 and 27, Kingman (with a pre-conference concert on the 25th evening).
If you work in economic development, business, arts and culture, government, philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, or education, you have an important role in supporting local businesses and entrepreneurial development in communities. This conference is for you! Find out more about the conference and register--and watch a video by Sarah LaRosh, Sara Bloom and Kelli Hansen as they explain the event.
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Play Space: Learn about Play Space in Phillipsburg. This is the mission statement: "The Play Space is a child-centered third space intended to provide an all-weather inclusive play space while fostering a sense of community and connection among caregivers."
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Sunflower Summer: This popular program connecting young Kansans to attractions and other opportunities for free will take place from July 12-August 3. Go here to read the guidelines and find the participating attractions.
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Apply for Kansas Healthy Food Initiative funding: The Kansas Healthy Food Initiative provides loan funding to help sustain or enhance the availability of healthy food at the retail level across Kansas.
Funding can be used for things like building construction or renovation, purchase of equipment, or one-time startup costs. Learn more.
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STEMM Impact Report: Stemmfire.org partnered with Fort Hays University to educate more students about occupations in science, technology, engineering, math, and medical. Read the impact report here.
| | Rural Grocery Online Resource Library: The Rural Grocery Initiative has launched a very helpful Resource Library. Some of the topics are rural grocery ownership models, grocery operations, local sourcing, business planning, funding, and more. | | |
Shop Kansas Farm Marketplace: The next Market of Farms will take place July 12 in Andover. Learn all about the event.
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Zephyr: Read the March-April issue here of this Kansas Historical Society publication.
If you'd like to receive it in the mail, fill out this form.
| | First Friday e-call and more: Find a calendar of events for all things from K-State's Community Vitality department. This includes First Friday e-call, grant writing workshops, and more. | |
Grow your business and your voice: Shop Kansas Farms offers these workshops.
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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.
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Support the network: The Kansas Sampler Foundation would appreciate your support for our work with rural communities. Make a donation and choose PayPal, Venmo, credit card or just ask Simone (simone.elder@kansassampler.org) to invoice 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. | | | | |
