Laura and Kaydee Riggs-Johnson, Winfield, were presented with a We Kan! award November 29 during fourth anniversary festivities at Ladybird Brewing
The presentation was made by Marci Penner of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The Inman-based non-profit has been choosing recipients every year since 1993 to show appreciation for dedicated work in helping preserve and sustain rural culture. Recipients are chosen from the rural network of community leaders, doers, entrepreneurs, volunteers and rural advocates who help rural communities be the best they can be at being themselves.
The Riggs-Johnson award had the words, "Making Kansas Cool as Heck" engraved on a plate made by artist Stacy Barnes of Greensburg.
Penner said, “Laura and Kaydee have helped change the shape of Winfield into a city that really likes itself. Their brewery is a third place where locals and visitors alike can find good vibes and good company. But it's also the way they offer support to all sorts of local causes through their business, individual creativity and desire to make a difference. Simply, they are pretty cool."
In addition to co-owning Ladybird Brewing, Laura is an attorney with Herlocker, Roberts & Herlocker LLC of Winfield and Kaydee is Vice President for Advancement, Marketing & Communications at Southwestern College.
KSF board member Sarah Werner, Winfield, helped coordinate the ceremony where dozens of friends and fans of Ladybird Brewing gathered for the anniversary festivities and to be part of the surprise.
Laura and Kaydee are the eighth of ten to receive the We Kan! award in 2025. The first seven were Cheryl Adelhardt, Harper; Kylee Bergstrom, Seneca; Caryl Hale, Norton; Shelly Hansel, Harper County; Sarah Kessinger, Marysville; Nick Levendofsky, Courtland and Susan McKenzie, White City. To see a list of all previous We Kan! award winners go to kansassampler.org.
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