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April 21, 2026
The Kansas Sampler Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
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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The Potluck Way
Some of the strongest communities I know don’t start with a strategy. They start with a table. The 2025 World Happiness Report found that sharing meals is one of the strongest indicators of happiness. Not fancy meals or big events. Just people around a table, talking, laughing, being human. Rural communities have always known this. It shows up in fellowship halls, school cafeterias, community centers, and local cafés, wherever people gather and make room for one another. That’s not just food. That’s how we take care of each other. Ideas like Community Plate are simply making space for more of it. Maybe creating the choir doesn’t start with a big plan. Maybe it starts with an extra chair at the table.
-Karly Frederick
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Thank you for 'Creating the Choir'! Thanks for a successful 2026 We Kan! Conference! You showed what’s possible when every voice is part of the choir, from helping people feel like they matter to inviting young people back and bridging PowerUps and PowerOns. Did you attend the conference? Provide feedback here.
We’ll see you at the Big Rural Brainstorm in 2027!
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Emergency Solutions Grant
The 2026 Emergency Solutions Grant offers funding to support homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and outreach across Kansas. Applications are due May 18.
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Kansas Tourism Strikes Gold: We’ve always known Kansas is a destination worth celebrating, and now it’s getting national recognition too. Kansas Tourism earned top honors, highlighting the stories, places, and people that make our state stand out. Way to go, Kansas Tourism! Read more here.
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New Kansas Podcast: Per Aspera is a Kansas history podcast that digs into the stories, people, and moments that have shaped the state. It’s a good reminder that Kansas has always had something to say and a story worth telling.
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Micro Arts Program Grant:
Only a few days left to apply! The Micro Arts Program offers $1,000–$2,000 grants to small Kansas arts organizations to support local arts projects, programs, and community-based creative work.
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Volunteer Shoutout: A big shoutout to the McCoy family for the time, care, and pride they’ve poured into Echo Cliff Park. From small fixes to big improvements, they’re a great example of what it looks like to show up for your community. See more about the Echo Cliff Community here.
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Kansas Tourism 101 Workshops: Kansas Tourism is hosting free Tourism 101 workshops across the state to share resources available through their office and provide a refresher on using the TravelKS.com Extranet. Register to attend a session near you.
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Kansas Micro-Internships Program: Kansas Micro-Internships are a simple way to bring a college student onto a short, paid project— helping you get things done while giving students real, hands-on experience. Thanks to generous funders, your first five projects are free! Learn more here.
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New Walking Trail to explore!
Glen Elder State Park now has a new 3.6-mile hiking and biking loop starting at the main office, winding past a fishing pond, wooded areas, and the Waconda Springs replica. A great new way to get out and explore Mitchell County. See here!
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Kansas Innovation Fund: The fund offers small grants up to $5,000 to support creative, community driven ideas that improve health and well being across Kansas. A simple way to test and launch new ideas locally. Learn more here.
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Rural Entrepreneurship Index:
The Rural Entrepreneurship Index is a tool that shows how entrepreneurship is taking shape locally, using measures like business creation, investment, and job growth to highlight momentum and opportunity. Use the tool here.
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Tomorrow's Water:
Playas, those shallow basins that fill after a Kansas rain, do more than you think. They recharge the Ogallala Aquifer, support wildlife, improve water quality, and can even create revenue opportunities.
With the right management, playas can help protect water resources and support long term solutions for Kansas communities. Learn more here. Contact Bernadette for NWK and Kassidy for SWK.
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Where Everyone Belongs | Donde Todos Pertenecen: Welcoming America is helping communities across the country intentionally create places where everyone belongs, and Kansas is part of that work. In Emporia, that effort is being led by Kansas Spanish Speakers, whose programs connect Spanish and English speakers through language, culture, and community building. Together, they’re showing what it looks like to turn welcoming into action and build stronger, more connected communities across Kansas.
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Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities: The Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference is heading to Courtland June 24–26. A great chance for small business owners, community leaders, and supporters to connect, learn, and get reenergized around local entrepreneurship. Early registration is just $100 through May 31. Register here.
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National Travel and Tourism Week: National Travel and Tourism Week takes place May 3-9 and highlights the impact of travel on local economies, jobs, and community vitality.
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Sunflower Summer is Back for Summer 2026!: This program gives Kansas families with school-aged kids free admission to museums, zoos, and attractions across the state. A simple way to explore Kansas, make memories, and support local places along the way. Applications open April 21 - May 6. All attractions must reapply. Info sessions are April 22 and April 23.
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KSCIENCE Festival: The Kansas Science Festival is coming to Downtown Hays May 2–3, with a full day of hands-on STEM activities on May 3. A free, family-friendly event with interactive booths, live demos, and plenty to explore. More info here.
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Celebrate Kansas Businesses: Nominations are open for the 2026 To The Stars Kansas Business Awards, recognizing businesses and leaders making an impact across the state. Submit nominations by June 15 here.
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Morton County is Creating the Choir: Checkout Morton County Chamber's new Emerging Leaders Board that includes Sparks and PowerUps helping make an impact in Morton County!
| | See previous Tidbits: The March We Kan! Tidbits was full of excellent information. | | |
Sign up for We Kan! Tidbits: If this Tidbits is forwarded to you, sign up here for this monthly blast. Find the KSF Facebook page here.
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Kansas Sampler Foundation Board of Directors: Lea Ann Seiler, Hanston, president; Stacy Barnes, Greensburg; Luke Mahin, Courtland; Dave Procter, Manhattan; and Lissa Sexson, Weskan.
Staff: Simone Elder, Leoti, Director; Karly Frederick, Lyons, We Kan Program Manager; Monica Frye, McPherson, Explore Kansas Program Manager; Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe, Inman, special assignments; Amy Sallee, Hutchinson, Bookkeeper.
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