TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansans are encouraged to attend the upcoming Southwest Kansas “Voting for the Future: Dinner & Dialogue” forum, a free dinner and program organized by the Kansas Rural Center. The forum will take place on Tuesday, September 18th, from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Southwest Research and Extension Center located at 4500 E Mary St. in Garden City, KS.
At the event, a complimentary dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients will be prepared by John Ross Catering, and will be available starting at 5:00 pm with the program following. Registration is required in order to ensure an accurate count for dinner. Please register no later than Saturday, September, 15 at https://kansasruralcenter.org/community-food-solutions-civic-agriculture-for-civic-health/voting-for-the-future-dinner-and-dialogue/.
Bernie Koch, Executive Director of the Kansas Economic Progress Council, will provide information on federal and state legislation and activity within the broader context of the state budget and revenue issues. Joey Hentzler, Director of Advocacy at Kansas Appleseed will present on programs and legislation and activity that affects impoverished and excluded communities particularly around food access.
Local leaders including Krysta Harvey from Kearny County Hospital, Lea Ann Seiler, Hodgeman County Economic Development and Hodgeman County GROW, and Lona DuVall, President/CEO of Finney County Economic Development will provide information about local and regional level efforts to strengthen community access to food, resources for farmers, and other critical efforts in Southwest Kansas. The League of Women Voters will also be on hand to share information about voting this election year.
Time will be provided for dialogue focusing on questions important to ask candidates this summer and fall, resources, ideas, and ways to work together to reach the common vision of a healthy, local food system.
The forum is the final of four in KRC’s “Voting for the Future: Dinner & Dialogue” series across the state. Each forum will be a little different but each will offer the opportunity to learn more about how to amplify your voice during this important election year.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required to ensure a meal. Please register no later than Saturday, September 15. To register, please visit https://kansasruralcenter.org/community-food-solutions-civic-agriculture-for-civic-health/voting-for-the-future-dinner-and-dialogue/, or contact Caryl Hale at chale@kansasruralcenter.org or call 866-579-5469.
These forums are part of KRC’s “Community Food Solutions for a Healthier Kansas” initiative and Integrated Voter Engagement project, which aims to improve economy, community, environment, and health in Kansas by strengthening civic engagement and public policy support that better incorporates Kansas farms and communities into the state’s healthy food supply chain.
The mission of KRC, founded in 1979, is to promote the long-term health of the land and its people through community-based research, education, and advocacy that advances an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just food and farming system in Kansas. For more information, visit kansasruralcenter.org.
— Kansas Rural Center
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