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May 20, 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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Creating Culture
When we travel, we often seek out the things that make a place feel unique. The local café. The historic building. The public art. The festival. The story behind the place. We admire communities that have character and culture. The interesting thing about living in a rural community is that you do not have to simply consume those experiences. You have the power to create them. Every mural started as an idea. Every festival started with someone willing to organize it. Every beloved gathering place exists because someone decided it was worth building. The cultural elements that make a community memorable do not appear by accident. They are created, supported, and sustained by people who care. Communities of the Future™ are not waiting for culture to happen. They are creating it. And the good news is that anyone can do it! -Karly Frederick
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Send your stickers to Kansas Tourism! The Mobile Visitor Center is working to decorate a vintage suitcase with Kansas stickers. Please send your attraction & community stickers to: Kevin Crockett, 6124 Juno, Wichita, KS 67215
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Harvest to Market Grant
Harvest to Market Grant provides funding for marketing projects that help farm and food businesses reach larger markets, with priority given to collaborative efforts between multiple producers or businesses. Funding made possible by the Patterson Family Foundation.
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Congrats to HEAL grant awardees! "Way to go" to these rural Kansas communities investing in their downtowns. The latest round of HEAL grants through the Kansas Department of Commerce is helping bring new life to historic buildings across the state.
Special shout out to tiny but mighty Baileyville, McDonald, Tipton, and Potwin all towns under 200 people that received funding for projects including a community venue, grocery store, restaurant space, and market. See the full list of awardees here.
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World Cup Events: The Haskell Indigenous World Market on June 17, Powwow on the Pitch on June 21, and three Fridays of Friday Facts exploring Indigenous history and culture are great reminders of how community traditions, gatherings, and shared stories help keep culture alive and give people a place to connect, learn, and celebrate together.
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Got a Brownfield?
Got a building you do not know what to do with? Maybe an old gas station, dry cleaner, or downtown building with asbestos, lead paint, or other environmental concerns? Those kinds of properties are often called brownfields.
K-State’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program (TAB) is a free resource that helps Kansas communities navigate cleanup, funding, and redevelopment possibilities.
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Smoky Valley Chamber Music Festival! The Smoky Valley Chamber Music Festival returns to Lindsborg May 18–23. It's more than great music. It's a chance to experience the arts, heritage, gathering places, and stories that give a community its flavor. One event, plenty of cultural elements on display.
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Childcare Staff Retention Grant: This grant helps eligible childcare providers reward staff for sticking around and helping strengthen and stabilize the local childcare workforce in north and central Kansas. More info here.
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Request a Speaker: Looking for a great speaker for your community, library, museum, or event? The Humanities Kansas Speakers Bureau connects communities with engaging talks on Kansas history, culture, people, and place.
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Kansas Civic Network:
Shout out to Kansas Civic Network for the work they are doing to grow civic leadership across rural Kansas. We love seeing PowerUps and even Sparks stepping up, getting involved, and helping shape the future of their communities. Rural Kansas keeps moving forward because people keep showing up.
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Grant Writing Workshop: Looking to strengthen your grant writing skills? Join K-State Research and Extension in Russell for a practical workshop on finding funding opportunities and writing stronger grant applications. Register today!
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Your Next Great Read... Or Publisher: Check out Meadowlark Press, an independent Kansas publisher dedicated to sharing the stories, voices, and places of the Midwest and Great Plains. Whether you're searching for your next book or exploring publication opportunities, Meadowlark is helping keep regional stories alive and well.
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Conversations Across Generations: Creating the Choir means making room for voices ages 8 to 98. Conversations Across Generations series highlights the power of bringing generations together to listen, learn, and lead.
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AI Innovations for Kansas Educators: Ready to learn more about AI in the classroom? This one day summer institute offers practical sessions for educators, administrators, and counselors at every experience level. Explore AI fundamentals, classroom applications, and the opportunities and challenges of an AI-enhanced future.
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See Kansas With New Eyes: The Kansas Sampler Foundation has 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. Browse more than 5,000 places across all 105 counties, find your next road trip, and uncover hidden gems along the way. 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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Kansas Micro Internships
Sometimes a community's next great idea just needs a little extra help. Kansas Micro-Internships connect Kansas organizations with college students ready to tackle short term projects in marketing, communications, research, technology, and more. It's a win for communities, a win for students, and a great way to build connections while getting things done.
Eligible organizations can access their first five projects at no cost. Employers, be sure to tell them Kansas Sampler Foundation sent you!
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Big Kansas Road Trip Pop Up: SAVE THE DATE! Concordia will be hosting the next Big Kansas Road Trip Pop Up on October 3, 2026. Make plans now with your family and fellow exploring friends to join in this historic BKRT event in October!
| | See previous Tidbits: The April 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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