Hello from Zack

Doesn’t it seem like there’s a whole lotta ‘new’ we’re seeing lately? Surely so – the list could include all of what was/is bundled with the tragic pandemic, an ever-evolving world affected by climate change, historical firsts, political firsts, all-electric Humvees… you name it. Just the other day, I was admiring the emergence of a rainbow when I noticed sets of clouds crisscrossing each other, blowing past each other in opposite directions. That was a first for me.

Then there’s the Kansas Rural Center getting a new Interim Executive Director; yours truly. Yes, let the record show that I offered to serve under my own free will. Also, let the record show that I am deeply honored and excited to offer all I can to help one of my favorite groups of folks in Kansas help ‘promote the long-term health of the land and its people’. As a lifelong Kansan, I can’t imagine a better mission to pursue. Furthermore, I embrace the motivations of both returning the favor to my familial roots and community upbringing in this work, as well as paying it forward to the next generations of Kansans and the natural ecosystems that will support them. And no matter how old or new you might be to living in Kansas, I bet you can relate.

While many organizations often spin their wheels a bit when undergoing transition, I can attest that the Kansas Rural Center simply shifted gears and never slipped. In a way, it seemed like a group of eco-minded farmers were just practicing good crop rotation. Credit our Governing Board and Staff for their wisdom, hard work, and quick ability to adapt; this ain’t your ordinary bunch! Of course, what else might you expect from the leadership of a group who embody values of resiliency, community, inclusivity, and integrity?

You and I – all of us that support the Kansas Rural Center – should acknowledge both the roots and the blossoms that are both the work and the reason(s) behind the accomplishments associated with KRC for over forty years. It is this deep respect for the seeds that have been sown prior that really allow us to savor the flavor of the fruits we have now. Still, we will continue to plant seeds together for a better food and farming system, for sustainable and prosperous rural communities, and for the healthy and enjoyable place we call Kansas.

Please feel free to contact me at zackp@kansasruralcenter.org.