Kansas Sampler Foundation
04.08.14


Why not?  Empower your young people!  Ask them what they like about living in your town and what they might change.

For rural communities to succeed, we need the energy, the voice, and the commitment from PowerUps (21-39s who are rural by choice).

Commitment comes from those who are valued, empowered, heard, and appreciated.

It goes both ways -- but the wisdom of age can be the source and catalyst for making sure the engagement starts.
WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE!   
Send Patty your examples.



It's of the utmost importance to have affordable broadband for rural sustainability.


If you have broadband and it has allowed your business to flourish in a rural community OR if you aren't able to thrive because of lack of broadband, now is your chance for your story to make a difference.

The Agriculture Broadband Summit will be held April 14 in Home at Blue Valley Communications.

Patty Clark, State Director for USDA Rural Development, will be on a panel.  She is committed to advocating for broadband in rural communities and would like to use firsthand examples to drive home the point.

Please send your example, as soon as possible, to Patty at [email protected].

Don't hesitate to send this request to your business community.
 
TIDBITS


KANSAS PRODUCTS
The Kansas Product tents at the May 3-4 Kansas Sampler Festival will be a super showcase of the diverse products we have in Kansas -- from milk to mustard.  There will be two Kansas products tents, one tent featuring From the Land of Kansas members, and then additional entrepreneurs will be found in many of the travel tents.  If you're looking for products to carry in your retail stores, to give as gifts, or to buy for yourself, the festival is one-stop shopping.

BYWAY PROMOTION
Hats off to the Kansas Scenic and Historic Byways for their new way to share information.  See a few examples here.
Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway



EMPOWER

The best way to create attitude shifts is to recognize best behaviors.  Find ways to recognize people that consistently and genuinely empower others.  It's especially good to recognize PowerOns (40+) that encourage, support, and advocate for PowerUps.  Sometime it's younger people that do the uplifting. 
  • Create Empowerment Nomination cards.  They can simply say "I was empowered by..." and "They empowered me by..........".   Have cards available around town. 
  • Then create certificates or something to give to the empower-er.  It's good modeling.

ANOTHER POWER UP START UP GROUP
Stacy Barnes is initiating a PowerUp group in Greensburg.  Here is the promotion.  The keys are to make it positive, action oriented, and community-minded.  Way to go!
GRASSROOTS EFFORT MADE A DIFFERENCE
Point of Rocks near Dodge City has been saved
Congratulations to Gary Kraisinger and the Great Western Cattle Trail Association, the Dodge City Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association, the landowner, and all others who chipped in with their voice.  You helped KDOT change their minds to preserve this well-known historical landmark!



ROLE MODELS
Patty Clark and Lonnie Stieben have proven themselves to be Empower-ers to PowerUps.  They support individual young people as well as the notion that this is a valued aged group. 
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ERV HAS BEEN HERE!



A top rate kitchen and bath shop in Buhler.


For a tasty, light lunch head to the Mustard Seed in Buhler.


Post office in Council Grove


Antique shop in Ellinwood is the place to start for the underground tunnel tour.


Shop for groceries at the Garden of Eden in Little River.


Braun's Butcher Block is in Scott City.



Dressing up the trash in Larned.


Stay here in Council Grove



Railroad park in White City

POWER UP DAY AT THE CAPITOL
was excellent!

Liz Sosa; Garden City; Abby Amick and Lauren, Alma; Christy Hopkins and Lisa Moritz, Tribune; Allison Thom, Sharon Springs; Chris Harris, Topeka; Simone Cahoj, Leoti; Nick Levendofsky and Luke Mahin, Courtland; Courtney Schmelzle, Seneca; Lauren Long, Larned.

Liz arranged for us to meet with Patty Clark, State Director of USDA Rural Development, Governor Brownback, Appointments Director Kim Borschers, Senator Garrett Love.
We took tours of the capitol, saw our legislators, and sat in on House or Senate sessions.