KARL and the graduate program is the learning method of “say-see-do” on steroids.
The KARL program encourages participants to freely share ideas and opinions in an open civil environment, while touring a variety of businesses and agencies throughout the state. I’m sure each class member can recall one seminar that had the greatest impact on their KARL experience. Taking the international tour allows exposure to foreign culture and to increasing global connections.
Prior to my participation in the KARL program, my leadership was focused on single, local issues, i.e. school board, and or the township roads.
I’m now using the skills provided through the KARL training in my role as county commissioner. KARL training has been very beneficial in addressing the broad range of issues facing county governments.
The graduate program offers learning opportunities and networking through ongoing seminars and domestic/ international travel. This allows spouses to become actively involved in the KARL family. The camaraderie on the graduate trips is awesome. Driving yourself around a foreign country does not remotely compare to riding the “KARL bus.”
I encourage all KARL members to expand their community involvement and support future KARL classes.

Fred Diver, Class VII – KARL Ambassador

Pulling off the OWF is a big enough challenge but adding a concert is a new wrinkle. The Western Kansas Broadcasting Center has stepped up to the plate to assist the committee. They are running ads and a contest with ticket give-a-ways on 4 of their stations, KBUF, Q97, KULY, Mix 94 . Lory Williams, Farm Director at the Center says, ” We are the sound of Rural SW Kansas and beyond. People count on us for not just music but good information from all over Kansas.” Listen to the Commercial by clicking the sound bar.

Long time KARL supporter High Plains Journal pitched in a great ad in their June 27 issue. High Plains Journal President Tom Taylor says “High Plains Journal has been a proud, long time supporter of KARL.  It’s mission of developing exceptional leaders for agriculture parallels our own strategy, with several of our employees having professionally benefited from KARL’s leadership development experience.  High Plains Journal applauds KARL’s vision of growing Kansas rural leadership and we look forward to partnering in the future.” The High Plains Journal has been a KARL Supporter since 1994. Al Davis, KARL President said,”They recognized early that the development of leaders in rural communities is a must for sustainability. THE HPJ has been a good friend to KARL and we look forward to growing that relationship into the future.”

For more on the High Plains Journal, please check out their webpage at http://www.hpj.com/.