What. A. Year. 

 

The celebration of Thanksgiving now triggers a rapidly approaching holiday season of Christmas and a brand new year we can all look forward to! 

 

We cannot say enough for how the KARL family has stepped up to handle uncertain times, personally and professionally. You continue to respond to each challenge with care and compassion for the essential business of feeding the world and keeping communities as safe and healthy as possible. We are grateful for the work you do. It matters and makes an impact. Together, for Kansas, your leadership makes a difference. The KARL family is an amazing network! 

 

Recently we published the 2020 Annual Report. Your support and confidence in the program allow new opportunities for KARL Associates and Fellows. If you have not yet seen the report check it out HERE.  

 

Will you please join us in making a generous year-end gift to KARL? Please know we do not take this request lightly. These are challenging times, and your support is now even more vital to fulfill our mission for agriculture and rural Kansas. Your leadership and giving will strengthen KARL and help meet new challenges.  

 

2020 brought unprecedented uncertainty. If this past year has taught us anything, it is that nothing should be taken for granted, and expressing gratitude for the many blessings in our lives is so very, very important. We are thankful for the KARL family. We are grateful and proud of our purpose.  

 

From the KARL family to each of you, take great care and enjoy every moment with gratitude. #BeLegendary. #BeGrateful. 

You are invited to join the KARL program for our inaugural KARL Reunion on Wednesday, December 9th at 7:15 p.m. Our featured speaker will be Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu who will lead a virtual conversation about emerging management techniques as a result of the pandemic! 

 

SPECIAL to the Reunion will be individual BREAKOUT rooms for all KARL classes, friends, current and former board members. 

 

Register in advance:

 

https://ksu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYod--hrTouH9ON9vHN75bFi6XJMx51Bwvn

 

Past KARL Cafés are available by clicking HERE.  

Thank you for making this past year one to remember, your continued support, engagement, and interest in the program truly is a difference maker! This coupled with a dedicated board, alumni, and donors are allowing KARL to make tremendous strides in being able to grow opportunities for program participants and alumni, all while looking for opportunities to expand the curriculum. 

 

2020 Annual Report is available by clicking HERE. 

 

Thank you for wholeheartedly being a part of the KARL family. We are anxiously looking forward to much more in 2021.

Longtime Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership champion and board member Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh passed away on November 2 at 78.

 

Flinchbaugh, Professor Emeritus at Kansas State University's Agriculture Economics

Department, was a fervent supporter of the KARL Program and a driving force in the

leadership program's conception.

 

"Kansas, and specifically the agriculture industry owes Dr. Flinchbaugh a debt of gratitude,"

said Steve Baccus, KARL board chair.

 

"Landing KARL as a Kansas State hosted entity would not have been possible 30 years ago without Dr. Flinchbaugh," said Jack Lindquist, who served as the Program's first president until his retirement in 2015. "He was instrumental in the program launch and its' early development years. He helped us build a legacy."

 

Lindquist added, "His message to each class of leaders to live up to high expectations and model standards was second to none and always said that KARL was his best crop!"

 

Flinchbaugh helped establish the KARL program by recruiting a group of Kansas agriculture leaders from the state's core ag organizations for the original KARL board of directors. Ray Purdy served as a charter member of that first board of directors and

said Flinchbaugh had a "never-ending support" for the Program he helped shape.

 

"KARL, Kansas State, and the world lost a great man today," said Purdy. "He was a leader, mentor, and friend to me, the board of directors and classes. He will be greatly missed."

 

Upon learning about his passing, charter board member Florence Metcalf reflected on Flinchbaugh's many good memories and the start-up of KARL.

 

"KARL would never have happened without Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh's vision and leadership. Barry was committed to educating agricultural leaders in Kansas. He was instrumental in raising funds, recruiting class members and board members, and developing program goals and objectives. He will be greatly missed by all of us in the KARL family," said Metcalf.

 

Admiration for Flinchbaugh runs deep through the KARL network. Flinchbaugh, a renowned and sought-after speaker, did not mince words, nor did he hold back in providing his keen expertise on the inner workings of agriculture policy. KARL Fellows dating back to the early classes were enamored by his sharp wit and perspective, giving his now-famous "Kings and Kingmakers" presentation.

 

For many of the associates in the room, it was a repeat from his Ag Policy 410 class so many sat through years before in Waters Hall at Kansas State, a course he was still teaching virtually until his untimely passing. To his students, the message was clear:

 

"Keep learning. Keep pushing. Be uncomfortable. Think outside the box, and occasionally you'll make somebody mad, but that's a risk you take, but they'll remember what you said!"

 

"He [Flinchbaugh] was a true kingmaker in the agriculture industry," said Jill Zimmerman, KARL president and Class V Fellow. "He was small in stature, great in character and intellect, his wisdom, wit, and perspective were a gift to those within earshot. KARL will not be the same without him, but what we have gained from his legendary leadership is priceless and will live on for decades through the KARL family," Zimmerman added.

 

All KARL classes since the inception of the Program have heard the kings and kingmakers presentation from the highly regarded Flinchbaugh. It could not have been known at the time in February that Class XV would be his last.

 

Current KARL Associate Kim Baldwin of Inman shared this reflection, "While he kept my attention with his thought-provoking dialogue and jokes, I truly appreciated conversations with Dr. Flinchbaugh because he treated me as if I were his equal. During my interactions with him through KARL, it was evident that he truly valued investing in others regardless of their age, gender, profession, or political status."

 

Baldwin added, "because of our conversations, I have concluded that how Dr. Flinchbaugh treated and spoke to me was the same way he treated and spoke to any politician or dignitary. He was a cerebral-minded straight-talker who presented his thoughts with respect while also inquiring about what I thought."

 

A native of Pennsylvania, Flinchbaugh earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Penn State before earning a doctorate from Purdue. He came to Kansas State in 1971, where he put Kansas State and its agriculture economics program on the map and made it the standard in the development of policy both statewide and nationwide.

 

He brought his expertise to the classroom and the board room. In both places, he preached compromise and common sense. He gave his career to making agriculture better to making Kansas better. He counseled everyday leaders and kings of the industry alike. He was the quintessential kingmaker.

 

He will be missed, but the Flinchbaugh "Kings and Kingmakers" legacy lives on through the KARL Family who serves Kansas, the nation and our world.

 

A gift can be made to KARL, Inc. in memory of Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, who was legendary in bringing KARL to the forefront. He will be missed, but the Flinchbaugh "Kings and Kingmakers" legacy lives on through the KARL Family who serves Kansas, the nation and our world. 

Until next time, be safe and stay connected. #BeLegendary