Rural Kansas Project links over 40 small communities

  The Kansas Sampler Foundation and the Kansas Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Division joined with over 40 partners to tell us where to go, what there is to see, do and learn in rural Kansas. This is a first result of the "Rural Kansas: come and get it!" project -- to promote rural communities in the State.
  Towns are grouped by region or by theme, such as the Amazing 100 miles, the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway, and the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area. In Freedom's Frontier, for example, where the bitter rivalry of the past between Kansans and Missourians is brought to light, seven communities are linked -- such as Lecompton, the political birthplace of the American Civil War, Piqua, Atchison, Fredonia, Garnet, Tonganoxie, and Yates Center.
  Tourists take the communities "as is" and start their journey by first getting off the main highways and slowing down. The Project is to entice tourists to explore, to feel good about spending money in small Kansan towns, and to interact with the locals.

Green Dirt Farm, a value-added sheep farm and agritourism business

 
Tony Glamcevski, from Kansas City, is a tours and events manager with Green Dirt Farm (www.greendirtfarm.com) of Weston, Missouri, who is responsible for cheese-making classes, farm table dinners, and product sales to local farmers markets, supermarkets and chefs, reports Cindy Hoedel of The Kansas City Star. In an interview, Tony wants to develop agritourism -- to have consumers experience farm life and see how the food on their plate gets there. It’s booming. It can also be an additional source of income for the farm he says. 

  Green Dirt Farm is owned and operated by women who raise and milk sheep, offer tours and half-day cheese-making workshops, and prepare barn suppers with unique beverages.