WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

We believe in RURAL CULTURE.

We believe in COMMUNITY.

We believe in KANSAS.

We believe to our core that each town in Kansas has an un-tapped gift, elements that make them special. 

Helping communities shine a light on those gifts and be the best they can be at being themselves is what we do. 

The Kansas Sampler Foundation is a public non-profit 501(C)(3) organization.

BIG KANSAS ROAD TRIP

Three counties are showcased annually and the public is invited to come eat, shop, tour, and drive the back roads to meet these communities as they are.

Learn more on the BKRT website or by clicking on the Facebook link below.

THE KANSAS EXPLORERS CLUB

The Kansas Explorers Club inspires, educates and encourages the exploration and appreciation of Kansas...and to have fun doing it. 

WE KAN!

We Kan! is a phrase that believes in the power of the network. The "We" signifies that we're all in this work of strengthening our communities together. The "Kan" is a Kansas-style affirmation and indicates the power of the reframe. The "!" means that it takes enthusiasm to glue all the efforts together and keep moving things forward. KSF connects community leaders, doers, and advocates through the We Kan! Conference,, a Big Rural Brainstorm, Do-Alogues, an e-blast, and awards. 

RURAL BY CHOICE & THE POWERUP MOVEMENT

To be Rural by Choice is a conscious decision.  Communities who give you "power" to be your self, to find happiness, and to help move the community forward, will thrive.  

What is a PowerUp? It's someone who is 21-39ish and Rural by Choice.

More powerful than finding young people in your own community who are enthusiastic about the future is a network of those that share that one thing in common--that they are  rural by choice.  

KANSAS GUIDEBOOK 2 FOR EXPLORERS

Published in 2017, co-authors Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe went to every one of the 626 incorporated cities in Kansas to research. The result is a 480-page guide to 4,500 places (including 800+ local restaurants) in 520 towns. UPDATE!  We are currently working on a mobile site for the guidebook and hope to go live in 2025. Underwriters for this project is the Dean Coughenour Trust and Gene and Linda Merry in memorial to Barbara J. Merry Entrepreneurs supporting entrepreneurs.

RURAL CULTURE ELEMENTS

Marci and her father, Milferd Penner, came up with the eight elements of rural culture to help communities identify what they have and who they are. Those elements are: architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history and people. 

KSF did a one-time contest for each element and published an 8 Wonders of Kansas Guidebook in 2011. (Note: As of June 2023, there are limited copies available to purchase online

216

ENTRIES IN THE 8 WONDERS OF KANSAS CONTEST

626

CITIES VISITED FOR THE KANSAS GUIDEBOOK 2

10

WE KAN! AWARDS GIVEN EACH YEAR

100's

ADVENTURERS JOIN US ANNUALLY FOR THE BIG KANSAS ROAD TRIP