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March 4, 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.
Follow us on Facebook.
Share using this link (conta.cc/41Gs5Co)
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TIPS FROM THE KSF PowerUp MANAGER
The power of an on-ramp: Over the years I have heard a few versions of the phrase “on-ramp to community involvement.” In one community it’s participating in the adult summer rec softball league that creates the social bonds for people to invite others to participate in volunteer positions. In another place, it’s the Parent-Teacher Association(PTA) where people first flex their volunteer and involvement muscles before jumping into other roles. When you look around your community, where is it that people are first practicing leadership and community involvement? Email me, PowerUp and Engagement Manager, Simone, and let me know!
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The April 3 sixth annual BRB to be held in McPherson now has a waiting list.
Note to those who have registered: We will soon be sending you a list of eleven brainstorm topics and will ask you to pick your top five choices. Watch for it!
Lodging information here.
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MARCH 3-7 is MATCH WEEK for McPherson County nonprofits, including the Kansas Sampler Foundation. To help create endowments, the lifeblood of sustainability, go here to learn more or make a donation. Even a small donation is appreciated by KSF or any of the nonprofits listed.
Match Weeks, organized and facilitated by community foundations across the state, take place at different times.
Community Foundations, you are the engine that helps capture wealth and provide opportunities within Kansas towns. Thank you. And donors, well, you make the engine run. You're the best!
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LAUNDRY LOVE: Laundry Love is a monthly commitment to the Newton community to build dignity and empower people with clean clothes. It's a project of Peace Connections.
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COME LIVE IN NEODESHA: Through the Make My Move program, the 2,400 residents of Neodesha are excited to welcome your family to their community. Here are some perks if you move there!
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PASSING OF SCHOOL SPIRIT: At the high school basketball Homecoming Pep Rally, a new tradition was started at Greeley County Schools in Tribune. It was the passing of school spirit from the Class of 2025 seniors to the Class of 2038 kindergarteners with a center court exchange of gifts. Plus, a script was read: "This event is all about passing on the vibrant and exciting spirit of our school. School spirit is a feeling of pride and joy that we have for our school. It's the energy we share during pep rallies, the cheers we make at sporting events, and the camaraderie we build during class projects. It's wearing our school colors, participating in events, and supporting one another through thick and thin. School spirit reflects who we are as a community, and it helps us build friendships that last a lifetime." (excerpt from Greeley County Republican)
This is the stuff of cohesion-creating -- a main element in community sustainability. Way to go, Greeley County Schools!
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KIDS CAN WIN A TRIP TO ICONIC PLACES: America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks. Submission deadline is April 16.
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LARK SIGNS: Need an interpretive sign or other kind of signage? Check out Lark Signs.
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WATER PROOF YOUR BUILDING: Over time, unchecked moisture can lead to mold growth, foundation deterioration, and expensive repairs. For property managers, implementing effective waterproofing measures is not just a preventative step, it’s a long-term investment in safety, efficiency, and property value. Learn tips.
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PRESERVATION GRANTS: Look at grant opportunities from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for sacred places, historic interiors, historic preservation and conserving Black Modernism. | |
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS:
This conference is designed to support professionals in their work to promote infant and early childhood mental health.
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HEALTHY FOOD HELP: Kansas Healthy Food Initiative is offering a new grant opportunity to organizations and businesses that are planning projects to expand healthy food access at retail outlets. Project activities include but are not limited to: market or feasibility research, architectural design assistance or site planning, community assessments and engagement, business planning, legal counsel, etc.
The deadline for the first round is April 27.
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NETWORK KANSAS: Network Kansas is growing an entrepreneurial environment in Kansas by cultivating resources to start and grow small businesses. They are a statewide network of non-profit business-building resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners startup and grow successful businesses.
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CAMPAIGN SCHOOL: If you're thinking about running for state legislature, school board, county commission or other public office, Kansas Farm Bureau's Campaign School can teach you the nuts and bolts of campaigning and help you execute a winning campaign. | |
TOURISM ATTRACTION DEVELOPMENT GRANT: Applications for the Attraction Development Grant are being accepted through April 1. View the guidelines and information here. | |
VIDEO INTERNSHIP: Ryan Schuckman, a junior at Fort Hays State University, is looking for a video internship this summer. He is especially interested in taking photos and videos for a business/community to help grow their online presence. He created the Garden of Eden documentary by researching the project, shooting the rough footage, obtaining supplemental historical images, conducting an interview, editing the footage and mixing the final audio/video piece. Contact Ryan. | |
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ZEPHYR: Here is the latest issue of Zephyr, a publication of the Kansas Historical Society.
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MARKET OF FARMS: The next Shop Kansas Farms Market of Farms will take place March 29 in Lawrence at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Be a vendor or come shop for beef, pork, poultry, eggs, honey, jams and jellies and more.
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KANSAS 250: On July 4, 2026, America celebrates its semiquincentennial, the commemoration of the 250-year anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In Kansas, we will celebrate America turning 250 years old by sharing the triumphs and the difficulties Kansans faced when settling in the heartland. Read here about Kansas plans.
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AGRITOURISM CONFERENCE: "The Agritourism Advantage: Mastering Customer Service & Marketing Program" event will take place on Monday, March 10 at Prairie Band Casino & Resort, 12305 150 Rd, Mayetta. Learn more and register here.
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OPEN-AIR MUSEUM CONFERENCE: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm and Shawnee Town 1929 will co-host "From the Ground Up: CUltivating Skills for open-air museums" March 6-8 in Olathe and Shawnee. Learn more and register here.
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MENTAL HEALTH IN RURAL: On April 9 in Kiowa, a mental health summit will take place. "Standing in the Gap: Rural and Frontier Access to Mental Health Care" brings stakeholders from around around Kansas to examine challenges in accessing mental health care in rural areas of the state and discuss possible directions for reducing those challenges through a faith-based lens. Brought to you by NAMI, National Alliance for Mental Illness. Learn more and register here. | |
CHILD CARE HEALTH & SAFETY GRANTS: KDHE is now providing grants for licensed facilities with regulatory or statutory violations, to assist in correcting these violations with minor renovations, repairs, or other safety-related expenses. Application is open until June 30. Check your eligibility and apply for funding at KDHE. | |
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NEW FOOD MAGAZINE: On behalf of K-State Research & Extension Douglas County and the Heartland Regional Food Business Center, we’re excited to introduce Kansas Food First, a new magazine dedicated to highlighting the inspiring success stories of Kansas food and farm businesses. The goal is to elevate the voices of those shaping the future of Kansas food and agriculture.
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LOCAL PRODUCER WORKSHOPS: A Cimarron-Arkansas Rivers Local Food Summit will be held in Liberal on March 11. Let's come together to celebrate and learn about local food from the Cimarron and Arkansas Rivers region. Hosted by Ogallala Commons. More details. | |
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COMMUNITY VITALITY EVENTS: Brought to you by K-State Research & Extension.
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SUBSTANCE USE SURVEY: Your input is needed to inform the completion of the comprehensive needs assessment of the substance use disorder (SUD) systems in Kansas, which will be used to guide the long-term investment of the state’s opioid settlement money through the Kansas Fights Addiction grant program. Sunflower Foundation and KU CPPR request your help with this survey. | |
GRANTS FROM STATE PROGRAMS: Kansas Department of Commerce grants calendar includes grants for tourism, art, Office of Rural Prosperity programs, and more. | |
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SIGN UP FOR THIS NEWSLETTER: If you get this Tidbits through a forward, go here to sign up for We Kan! Tidbits. Find the KSF Facebook page here.
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SUPPORT THE NETWORK. Consider every resource in this Tidbits as part of the rural network. It takes funding to even connect people through an eblast. Support our work with a donation and choose PayPal, Venmo, credit card or just ask Simone to invoice you.
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