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GALLERY MOSTAZA– HARPER–Isaac Shue always enjoyed art. In college, he discovered that he especially enjoyed making ceramics. On a special holiday edition, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, tells the story of how Isaac met his wife, Karina, in Ecuador on a church service mission and how they were able to build their own pottery business, serving customers coast to coast and beyond.

SMART RURAL COMMUNITIES –In 2015, the Rainbow Communications Company in Everest was one of ten rural telecommunications companies that won a Smart Rural Community Showcase Award. The designation – “Smart Rural Community” – was created by a national association to recognize rural telecommunications companies that are providing superior broadband service in their areas. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says many of those are found in Kansas.

RAINBOW COMMUNICATIONS –The availability and reliability of broadband connections across the state varies greatly, especially for rural areas. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Rainbow Communications has been working hard to enhance its service to the region and have fiber to the home in every place in Everest, and fiber within its co-op boundaries. He says the company now has 40 employees and can serve 9,700 locations.

THE TIPTON TIMES NEWSPAPER – It’s a natural curiosity for people who have moved away from a community to still want information about what’s going on. With fewer small town newspapers, that can be difficult. However, for those living in Tipton – and abroad – there’s a quarterly newspaper that goes from the town of 193 people to approximately 1700 subscribers. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the Tipton Times grew out of a newsletter Fred Smith designed to keep donors who supported the creation of an independent school informed. 

TIPTON GROCERY– OWNERSHIP TRANSITION–We’ve heard it said that “timing is everything” – and in the case of two ownership transitions of a local grocery store – that’s definitely true. Fred Smith took the opportunity to move back to the community where he’d been born and assume ownership of the Tipton Grocery store, along with an original sausage recipe. After 32 years of serving the community, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Fred and his wife successfully made another ownership transition to a young couple who visited Tipton and fell in love with the community.

FUSION ALLEY AND PRIMETIME GRILLE –Some things just go together. For example, peanut butter and jelly or pie and ice cream. In Ottawa, local investors have come up with the unique combination of a bowling alley and a restaurant that specializes in Kansas cuisine. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, explains how these businesses are serving the community.

MISS ABLE GOES INTO SPACE –Kansas has been home to several astronauts: Ron Evans, Joe Engle and Steven Hawley, for example. When the United States was gearing up to send a human into outer space in the late 1950s, its spaceflight testing included two rhesus monkeys – Miss Able and Miss Baker. On May 28, 1959, the monkeys were successfully launched on a Jupiter rocket from Cape Canaveral. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Miss Able was born at a zoo in Independence, Kansas, making her the first “astromonkey” from Kansas to travel into outer space.

VICKIE VANDEMENT– ALPACAS–Sweater weather has arrived. If you’re looking for a really warm sweater, consider purchasing one made from alpaca fiber that produced in rural Kansas. In 2004, Vickie Vandement and her husband Mitch, who passed away in 2020, decided to try raising alpacas and found they enjoyed it so much they opened up a retail store near Osborne in 2015. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Vickie and a crew continue to run the business and have sold alpaca socks, sweaters, scarves, blankets and headbands as far away as the Virgin Islands and Sweden.

FLICKNER INNOVATION FARM – Ray Flickner is the fifth generation to farm his family’s land. His farm has always believed in conversation and leaving the land in a better condition than how they found it. In 2019, the family launched the Flickner Innovation Farm to test conservation, soil health and weed management practices on a field-scale operation. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the farm also hosts summer field days and winter meetings where peer-reviewed research is shared with other producers and partners.

JACE KAMINSKA– TYRO TORPEDO–As a farm kid from Tyro, Kansas, Jace Kaminska first appeared in his hometown newspaper after earning a purple ribbon for his homemade bread at the 4-H baking championship at the Montgomery County Fair. Years later, he was back in the news as one of the top baseball pitchers in Kansas. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the “Tyro Torpedo” – a nickname given to him by the editor and publisher of the Montgomery County Chronicle, Andy Taylor – is currently working his way up in the baseball world after being drafted by the Colorado Rockies.

WABAUNSEE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM – When the Wabaunsee County Historical Museum expanded into the building next door, contractors uncovered a hidden underground stone cellar under the annex. This man-made “cave” built of laid limestone featured an arched-ceiling design and a long stone staircase downstairs from the annex building. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says these arched cellars were common in the 1860s and it’s another asset the museum staff would like to use to promote the history of Wabaunsee County.

HENDRICKS HARDWARE –Gwen Hendricks’ husband, Marvin, was working at the hardware store in Alma when they bought it in 1951. The family has owned and operated the business ever since. Gwen turns 98 in October. The hardware store continues to operate in its original stone building – the second oldest surviving building in the Alma downtown historic district. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the store offers a variety of hardware, building supplies and toys, plus household items, greeting cards and more.

ANTIQUE EMPORIUM OF ALMA –A community in northeast Kansas is proving you don’t need to be in a big city to attract customers and to operate a thriving business. Alma, with a population of 802 people, has several woman-owned businesses that are helping lead a resurgence of downtown enterprises. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says that includes Morgan Holloman, owner of the Antique Emporium of Alma.

MT. ZION CHURCH REVIVAL –An abandoned old stone church in a rural area of northeast Kansas had always been admired by neighbors Dave Nelson and Jerry Petty. When Dave learned the former church was for sale, he bought it, and convinced Jerry to help in its restoration. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the historic stone church is being saved and repurposed as a center for the community.

KSDS ASSISTANCE DOGS – 4-H families in north central Kansas were raising puppies to be assistance dogs, but when they found that only a few of the puppies were being placed in the Midwest, they founded a service dog training organization of their own. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the organization has placed 630 service dogs in 36 states, providing guide and service dogs free to people needing a canine partner.

MELVINA JONES– POTWIN–Melvina Jones grew up with a garden on her family’s farm and took gardening as a 4-H project. When she became a teacher in Potwin, she not only had her own garden but also helped lead the community garden. This volunteer community garden is small but mighty. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says that since its beginning, the garden has produced more than 106,000 pounds of produce.

ROXIE YONKEY– SECRET KANSAS–Some secrets are just too good not to share. That’s the case with the latest book by author and travel blogger Roxie Yonkey. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure, is packed with little known oddities and attractions around the state, complete with photos, locations and tips for visiting.

McPHERSON COUNTY– MOBILE ROBOTICS–To help increase skills and awareness of the opportunities in  STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – the 4-H staff in McPherson County worked with organizers to buy age-appropriate robotic equipment for students in 1st, 3rd and 6th grade. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the results were overwhelming.

DON AND SHARON MEYER– CHUCKWAGON–Don and Sharon Meyer are the owners of a chuckwagon that Don designed and built to look just like an old fashioned chuckwagon. However, this one comes equipped with a built-in gas grill. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Don and Sharon have taken the chuckwagon all over the United States to cook for guests.

SUMP RESTORATION –From building his own go cart at age 10 to working on his cousin’s 1965 Chevelle the summer of his senior year, Todd Sump has always enjoyed car restoration. In 2010, Todd left the construction business to open Sump Restoration, which specializes in restoring automobiles. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the company does original restorations plus what’s called a resto-mod – where the classic look is restored but the internal operating systems are modernized.

MIKE SMITH– AG 1 SOURCE–Finding the right person to fill a position isn’t easy. In fact, many companies are hiring recruiting companies to do the work for them. During his career in agribusiness, Mike Smith worked with an employment recruiting company and eventually founded a business of his own. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says this company now has recruiters in every major U.S. production region, serving customers across the nation.

THE SHERIDAN SIX LEMA –Alarmed by the rapid drop in the water tables, a northwest Kansas farmer and his neighbors formed a locally enhanced management area, or LEMA, for their region. The result, was a significant reduction water use. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the effort also gained national attention.

KANSAS COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT –In 2022, leaders with the volunteer-led, community-improvement Kansas PRIDE program saw a need to clarify its role and brand. Because of the way the program empowers local people, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the state program is now known as Kansas Community Empowerment.

THE HOFFMAN GRIST MILL –A grist mill, built in the 1860s by Swedish immigrant Christian Hoffman, closed during the depression. Joe Minnick had a fascination with the mill and years ago found old grinding stones and built a working re-creation near the mill’s original site. Today, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the Hoffman Grist Mill offers many types of flour and other local products.

ABILENE & SMOKY VALLEY RAILROAD –The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad operates on track which once belonged to the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad. The A&SV non-profit association was formed in 1993 and operated its first excursion train from Abilene to Enterprise a year later on track donated by the Union Pacific.  The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad offers regular excursion trains, private charters, school field trip excursions and dinner trains, along with seasonal themed excursions. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says riding the train is like immersing oneself in a mobile museum.

TAMPA VISITS TAMPA BAY (Part 3) –An all-expenses paid vacation typically includes sitting through a presentation on purchasing a timeshare. However, about 100 residents of Tampa, Kansas – nearly the entire town – were treated to a 4-day, all-expenses paid trip, to Tampa Bay, Florida. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, explains how this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity happened and the promotional value to the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau and the community of Tampa, Kansas.

TAMPA REVITALIZATION (Part 2)–With support of a locally owned bank, the local PRIDE group, a wind farm, community foundation and more, Tampa is attracting a remarkable influx of young families in the community. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says this is happening at a time when the average age of many smaller communities is creeping up and young people are moving out.

TAMPA TRAIL SHOP –When Dave Mueller’s aunt wanted to retire from the café in his hometown of Tampa, he bought the building so the café could keep operating. As it turns out, that was just the start. Dave bought another downtown building and then another. Today, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the Santa Fe Trail Café and Tampa Trail Shop Store are operating in new and refurbished buildings downtown.

SWEDISH PAINTED DALA HORSES –The rural Kansas community of Olsburg has a rich Swedish heritage. A group of residents recently launched a public art initiative using the Swedish tradition of displaying painted dala horses in front of homes and businesses. Today, 47 individually-painted and creatively named dala horses are displayed across the community and beyond. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says that’s more per capita than anywhere in the nation.

DEB HANES-NELSON– WATERCOLORIST–Upon retiring from the ministry in 2015, Deb Hanes-Nelson took up watercolor as a second career. Her studio, 315 Annex Studio and Gallery, is in Centralia. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says in 2003, Deb went to New Mexico’s Ghost Ranch for art classes in watercolor. She returned in 2005 for a class on Journaling through Watercolor and said she had a “spiritual experience” that launched a passion to paint. In the next six months, she painted every chance she had and produced 54 small paintings.

ROSE GARRISON– VOLUNTEER–It takes commitment and a lot of love to voluntarily plant flowers and weed flower gardens to beautify your community. Ron Wilson, the director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Rose Garrison has done that in Norton for 40 years. Rose’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she received the Norton Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award and there’s also a bronze statue and bench in the Library courtyard recognizing her support of Norton. 

CY MOYER– LIFE CENTER–Just a few weeks before Cy Moyer, a retired banked and co-founder of the Huck Boyd Institute, passed away this spring, he and other Dane G. Hansen Foundation representatives helped break ground for the Logan Intergenerational Family and Education Center. Ron Wilson, a personal friend of Moyer’s and director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the LIFE Center, believed to be the first of its kind anywhere, will include a nursing home, pre-school, grade school, and community center, all in one interconnected facility.

AXTELL COMMUNITY GROCERY –The community of Axtell has a long history of volunteerism – rebuilding the American Legion building after it burned down and fundraising and opening a new restaurant to replace one that had been torn down. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the community also raised nearly $500,000 for a community grocery store after the town’s only grocery store closed.

STAFFORD COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY –While serving as the economic development director for Stafford County, Carolyn Dunn, currently president of the Stafford County Port Authority, discovered that companies interested in building grain shipping railroad facilities in her county couldn’t make the financing work. As she researched alternatives, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Carolyn found that a port authority could help support the infrastructure to make this possible.

CAROLYN DUNN– AFFORDABLE HOUSING–A lack of affordable housing isn’t just an urban problem – it’s also a concern for rural communities. Former Stafford County Economic development director Carolyn Dunn, the current president of the Stafford County Port Authority, was looking for a way to bring more affordable housing to her county when she met someone with a solution. In the second of a three-part series, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Michael Gibson, a K-State College of Architecture, Planning and Design professor and founder of the Net Positive Studio, helped design and build 10 new, affordable, energy-efficient homes. 

STAFFORD COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT– In the first of a three-part series, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, looks at how the loss of the only grocery store in St. John resulted in a $3.8 million economic development project to build a new store near the highway with additional features to better serve customers.

FIRST FINGERPRINTING CONVICTION –In the 1920s, the Fleagle Gang started robbing card games and then banks. After grabbing the loot they would return to Kansas where they had leased a ranch as a hideout. This gang is believed to be responsible for 60% of the bank robberies in California, plus many robberies in Oregon, Kansas and Colorado. During a bank robbery in Lamar, Colorado, there was an exchange of gunfire and a gang member left a single bloody fingerprint on the getaway car’s window. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the FBI used the fingerprint as part of the evidence leading to a conviction of the gang.

RAINBOW MEADOWS –There are people who like horses, people who love horses, and people who really love horses. Karen Everhart has loved horses since she was a kid. As an adult, she bought horses and then started taking in horses that were abused or neglected. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says that led to the creation of a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes horses, while also offering a place where horse owners can send their older equines to live out their days in comfort and safety.

SALT CREEK FARM – What started as a day-dream to sell beef directly to consumers has become a business that sells cuts of home-raised beef, heritage chicken and lamb directly to consumers. Today, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says they have an online presence and sell to consumers across the nation plus two dozen restaurants in the Kansas City area. And, they also offer local honey from what started as a beekeeping hobby.

BLING GLAMOUR –When you love fashion and were successful selling purses from your basement online, the next step would be to open a shop that sells handbags and accessories. Some might consider that a risky move, especially in a smaller community. However, the owner had faith that Bling Glamour would be successful – and she was right. In addition to its online presence, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says Bling Glamour now has 26 stores in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri, with another on the way.

BEACHY’S FLOWERS AND PRODUCE –A love for growing things in the garden has become a business that uses a state-of-the-art polycarbonate truss-style greenhouse to grow flowers and produce in northeast Kansas. The operation is fully hydroponic so the plants are raised in recycled water with the precise nutrients needed. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says their goal is to provide a place where people can buy produce at the same place that it is grown.

AMELIA EARHART HANGAR MUSEUM –Atchison is the childhood home of pioneering aviatrix Amelia Earhart. When the town learned that the only remaining model of the airplane she flew on her last flight was sale, not only did they purchase it, they built a hangar museum to display it. But that’s not all! Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says they’ve created a set of high-tech interactive displays to inspire the public and educate people about Earhart’s life.

BUFFALO SOLDIERS –Fort Leavenworth is the site where the first peacetime African-American Cavalry units formed, referred to by Native Americans as Buffalo Soldiers. The history of Fort Leavenworth is fascinating. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, traces the important role Fort Leavenworth has played in developing leaders for the U.S. military.

RIVERS EAGLE BAR & GRILL –A community celebration of the centennial of the 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run in Arkansas City made such an impression on a young boy that he’s working to commemorate the Land Run’s 130^th anniversary later this year. In addition, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says this sixth generation Ark City resident is also the owner of Rivers Eagle Bar and Grill and the Cherokee Strip Campground near Arkansas City.

PERFORMANCE SPORTS –Two outstanding high school athletes who became teachers and coaches were able to buy a nearby school to train basketball players and track and field athletes. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says this athletic training facility is serving athletes from a three-hour radius.

LEFFLER PRIME PERFORMANCE – In business, being able to overcome adversity is often the key to success. That’s the case for a woman who moved back to her family’s fourth generation beef cattle operation and decided to add value by direct marketing the beef to consumers. Despite the first order being cancelled at the last minute, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says the business is marketing retail and custom beef to states throughout the Midwest.

ROSE CREEK SUDS –It’s often difficult for those with sensitive skin to buy products off-the-shelf that don’t sting or cause irritation. The mom of a three-year-old with sensitive skin decided to try something she remembered her grandmother doing – make soap by hand! It got rave reviews form her daughter and soon friends and family were asking for products so she started a business venture. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says she is producing handmade soaps, candles, wax melts, face mists and sugar scrubs.

CIRCLE P PROCESSING –”Do you know anywhere we can get in to get our beef processed?” was a question a professional farrier kept hearing from his customers. After doing some research and seeing how the retail price of meat had skyrocketed, he decided there might be an opportunity to process beef locally. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, explains how a former locker plant in rural Kansas is now home to this new locker plant.

C&L CRAFTS – After suffering a serious back injury at work, Curtis Swenson was looking for something to do with his hands while making a full recovery. He had seen a man hand-cutting designs into wood and decided to give that a try. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says it went so well that he and his wife now produce thousands of hand-made wood designs that have been sold across the nation and beyond.