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June 17, 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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Rural Magic
Last week, I found myself in Dickinson County just after a round of severe storms rolled through. Trees were down. Trailers were flipped. Tin sheds were twisted and scattered across fields. But what stood out most wasn't the damage. It was the response. Skid steers cleared debris. Kids in work gloves picked up sticks. Utility crews worked long hours to restore power. Neighbors showed up and got to work. Rural communities are often at their best during a crisis. We've seen it after wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and when a family receives a difficult diagnosis. Meals appear. Fundraisers begin. Help shows up. The storm didn't create community. It revealed it. The generosity, grit, and willingness to help were already there. Crisis simply gave them a stage. Rural Kansas is full of these moments that remind us who we are. The challenge isn't building that spirit from scratch. It's remembering that it exists on ordinary Tuesdays just as much as it does after a storm. - Karly Frederick
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Congrats to the Rural Grocer of the Year! Congratulations to Emily and Kaden Roush of Main Street Mercantile in Lebanon, Kansas, recipients of the 2026 Rural Grocer of the Year Award. After purchasing and revitalizing their community's grocery store in 2023, they transformed it into a thriving hub for fresh food, local products, and community connection.
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Childcare Survey:
Kansas childcare providers are encouraged to complete the All In For Kansas Kids Survey. Your input on rates and the true cost of care will help inform Child Care Assistance subsidy rates and support quality child care across the state.
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Rural Assembly Everywhere: Register now for Rural Assembly Everywhere on July 23, a nationwide virtual gathering celebrating rural communities. Connect with rural leaders, hear inspiring stories, explore important issues, and learn alongside people who care deeply about the future of rural America.
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Looking for Housing Inspiration? Check out this story from the Lane County Community Foundation about a young couple who donated a farmhouse to their community. The home was moved into town, placed on a new foundation, and transformed into much-needed housing, a creative, community-minded solution to a rural challenge. Watch the video here.
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New Entrepreneurship Fellows Program:
The Patterson Family Foundation has announced the launch of their new Patterson Fellows program. The Fellowship is designed to help entrepreneurs build viable, scalable businesses that create lasting economic and societal impact in rural communities. Entrepreneurs can be located anywhere, but their business must focus on building a solution within the Patterson Family Foundation catchment area.
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Language Exchange Builds Community: The cultural element of people comes to life through connection. The Colby Public Library recently launched a weekly Language Exchange where English and Spanish speakers can practice together and build relationships. It's a simple idea that strengthens community and one that could inspire similar efforts elsewhere.
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Congrats to Paving the Way Grant Recipients! Congratulations to the recipients of Sunflower Foundation’s Paving the Way Grant. Communities across Kansas will use these funds for trail improvements like signage, benches, lighting, and accessibility upgrades, making outdoor spaces more welcoming and connected for all! See the recipients here.
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Kansas Housing Conference Grant: Want to attend the 2026 Kansas Housing Conference but need a little help getting there? Kansas Housing Resources Corporation's Friend of Affordable Housing Grant covers conference registration and two nights of lodging for selected attendees. Housing advocates, volunteers, nonprofit professionals, students, and others working to address housing challenges in Kansas are encouraged to apply by July 13.
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Youth Community Perceptions Program:
Creating the choir starts with listening to new voices. K-State Research and Extension's Youth Community Perceptions program helps communities engage young people, gather their perspectives, and better understand what they value about where they live. It's a simple way to invite the next generation into the conversation and community-building process.
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Foodpreneur Boot Camp: Thinking about starting a restaurant or food truck? The Kansas Foodpreneur Bootcamp is a six-week online program that helps aspiring and new food business owners learn the essentials through self-paced modules, coaching, and hands-on business planning. Register today!
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Your Next Great Read... Or Publisher: A new independent publisher is bringing Kansas stories to life. Based in Lucas, Rock Paper Feather Press creates beautifully crafted books celebrating the people, places, and history that make Kansas unique. Their debut release, Movable Monument by Kansas author Sarah Green, has already sold out. Read more about the inspiration here.
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New Chapters: Here's a great example of the Reframe Rule in action. Rather than letting a closed school sit empty, the Healy community transformed the building into a new community center. The recent grand opening celebrates more than a building.
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See Kansas With New Eyes: Last month, we launched the new Online Kansas Guidebook, making it easier than ever to discover the people, places, businesses, history, food, and stories that make Kansas unique. Whether you start where you are, what you're interested in, or where you want to go, you'll find attractions in rural communities across the state.
Best of all, it's designed to help more people know and appreciate communities of every size. Explore at kansasguidebook.org
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A Kansas Micro-Internship Success Story: Increased Organizational Capacity
We at the Kansas Sampler Foundation are grateful to the Kansas Micro-Internship Program for playing a key role in getting the online Kansas Guidebook launched this spring. We hired three interns to help us with data entry. Our interns moved our project forward while gaining short-term work experience and got to know Kansas through the process. The interns who worked on our project were from Hutchinson Community College, Pittsburg State University, and the University of Kansas.
The Kansas Micro-Internship program connects Kansas organizations with college students ready to tackle short term projects in marketing, communications, research, technology, and more. Did you know that eligible organizations can access their first five projects at no cost. Employers, be sure to tell them Kansas Sampler Foundation sent you! We've been through the process and are glad to help you too.
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Big Kansas Road Trip Pop Up: The next Big Kansas Road Trip Pop Up is heading to Concordia on October 3, 2026. Make plans now with your family and fellow exploring friends to join in this historic BKRT event in October! Read more here.
| | See previous Tidbits: The May 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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Become a KSF Supporter: Whether it's finding out about a grant, a conference, or a story, we believe that this monthly e-blast helps move individuals and communities in rural Kansas forward. We would love if your organization would consider supporting us annually as a KSF Supporter.
We are working to restructure sponsorship opportunities and packages. Contact Simone Elder, simone.elder@kansassampler.org today if interested in opportunities to support our work!
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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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