Webinar-Food Security, Access, and Health Outcomes in Rural America: Challenges and Policy Pathways
2025-11-19 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
This webinar will focus on the everyday challenges rural communities face in accessing healthy and affordable food, and how these challenges affect health and well-being. We will discuss the impact of policy reforms, unique challenges such as food deserts, and strategies to strengthen rural food systems through partnerships, education, and innovation. Presenters: Bhagyashree Katare, Berdine Martin Food Economics Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University Krystal Hodge, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign NCRCRD webinars are open to all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate or need an interpreter or translator, please contact Mary Breidenbach (mabreide@purdue.edu) no later than 5 days prior to the event. Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access University.

Grant Writing Basics
2025-11-19 13:30 - 16:30 | Online Event
The Grant Writing Basics course is suitable for people who have never written a grant (more than 50% of our students), and those who have a lot of experience and want to take a fresh look at their current practices.
More than 3,400 Kansans have been trained and found confidence and writing skills, resulting in more than $100 million of successful grants written in the first 18 months after they took this class. They wrote grants to support park improvements, walking trails, building restoration, leadership programs, arts, programming, festivals, and other community infrastructure.
Consisting of two (3-hour) online live sessions with many additional resources, this format allows writers to formulate their grant ideas into a grant proposal. Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share. Time for interaction with other participants is an important aspect of the class; even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after consulting with peers.
You will learn:

Sources of data for community needs
Where to find grants
Elements of a great grant proposal
Practicing the grant elements: Problem, Outcome, Activity, Evaluation, Budget

Additional information:

This online course has two synchronous classes. The class resource materials are available the week before and several weeks afterwards.
Enrollment is limited for each class, but we want to meet all needs; if the class is filled, please register on the waiting list.
Classes are recorded for later reference or classes missed.

For more information, please contact:
Nancy Daniels
nkdaniels@ksu.edu

Midwest Growers Collaborative: Farmers & Flyers Marketing Webinar Series
2025-12-11 17:30 - 19:30 | KS
Join us for an online marketing webinar series designed specifically for farmers, ranchers, and growers! Hosted by the Midwest Growers Collaborative and with presenters from Be More Business and The Toolbox KC, “Farmers & Flyers” provides the knowledge you need to establish your brand, promote your products and events, and connect with your customers.
When: 2nd Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.5:30 – 7:00 p.m.: Live Instruction!7:00 – 7:30 p.m.: Q&A and TA (Technical Assistance)
Presenters:
Kimberly Beer, Be More Business
Webinar Topics:

February 13: Canva Features, Account Set-Up, Costs, Trademark, Copyright, etc.
March 13: Email Marketing Tools & Basics
April 10: Branding & Logos, Business Cards, & Banners
May 8: Google Forms & QR Codes
June 12: Marketing & Promotions – Social Media, Events, Flyers
July 10: Website & Google MyBusiness – Google MyBusiness, Website Options

Why Attend?

Expert Guidance: Learn the latest marketing tools and strategies from industry experts.
Hands-On Practice: Interactive sessions that allow you to apply your learning in real time.
Comprehensive Topics: Each month covers a new, vital aspect of marketing to help your business grow.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow growers and marketers to share insights and experiences.

Registration:
Register for one session or the whole series and take your marketing efforts to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or rancher, or just starting out, this webinar series will have helpful information for everyone! This webinar series is FREE and will be recorded for use by our members in the future.

Rural Grocery Specialist
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Event
Supporting rural grocers in business transition planning is essential to keeping the benefits of hometown grocery stores in rural communities. The Rural Grocery Transition Specialist program trains and deploys resource professionals across the country to better serve rural grocers through business transitions.

Who: This course is designed for Extension professionals, economic developers and other resource providers who support rural grocers and rural community vitality across the country.
Participants will gain: Strategies for building relationships with grocery store owners and managers, understanding of transition planning and business valuation concepts, and tools to support grocery store transitions. In addition, participants will join a national network of professionals dedicated to supporting rural communities.
Format: This course contains seven online modules that include homework assignments and interactive discussion boards, paired with guided learning through four required 1.5 to 2-hour synchronous virtual meetings.
Taught by: Composed of 18 professionals from across the country, the teaching team has a wide a range of expertise related to business transition planning and rural grocery.
