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Ribbon Cutting for Pizza Republic on Friday, Sept. 9.
Gordon Parks Celebration Oct. 6-8
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Organic Certification Program Funds Available
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture has funds available for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP). Through this program, farms, ranches, and businesses that produce, process or package certified organic agricultural products may be reimbursed for eligible expenses.
The purpose of the NOCCSP is to defray the costs of receiving and maintaining organic certification under the National Organic Program. For Federal Fiscal Year 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency set the reimbursement amount at 50% of the certified organic operation’s eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $500 per scope. Scopes include the areas of crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling (i.e., processing). This change is due to a limited amount of funding available and will allow a larger number of certified organic operations to receive assistance.
FSA awards the NOCCSP funds to eligible state agencies that serve as administering entities who work directly with organic operations to reimburse organic certification costs. The current period of qualification for organic operations seeking reimbursements is from Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022. Applications are now being accepted through November 1, 2022, or until all funds are expended, whichever comes first. Applications may be submitted either by mail or email.
It is the mission of KDA to support all facets of agriculture, including lending support to those who wish to market and sell their products as certified organic. For more information, go to the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/
Spyder Inc. Seeking New Name with Contest
Spyder, Inc, Fort Scott, KS has launched a rebranding scholarship program that is open to Kansas Colleges and Universities. The project runs through September with the winning individual or team winning a $1000 scholarship.
Spyder has made the decision to rebrand with a new name going forward says CEO Nedra Barr. “While we love the Spyder name, we are unable to get all of the social media handles needed as well as Spyder is a pretty common name. We need to move to a name that is more unique and representative of who we are and what we provide in the market.”
Letters with project definitions and guidelines went out Tues, Sept 6th. We’d like to have the individuals or teams known to us by the end of this week or at least by Monday, Sept 12th.
The project entails coming up with a new Company name, checking to make sure we are able to secure the domain as well as the social media handles, and creating a graphic logo by Sept 30th. Winners will be announced at the end of October.
This is truly exciting to work with local Kansas Colleges & Universities on our rebranding project, says CTO, Mike Upright. Our solutions will be running in the market for years to come so we want the business leaders of tomorrow to help come up with a cool, fun name for our Company.”
This project provides the students with a real-life Company branding exercise. This experience will be valuable to the students in their future business endeavors. We welcome any and all, college students who wish to participate. Interested participants may respond with their intent to participate to [email protected]
Good luck to all and we can’t wait to see what our new name will be!
Healthy Bo Co Action Team August 2022 Newsletter
Submitted by Jody Hoener,The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc. President and CEO.
Contact: 620-215-2892
104 North National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Uniontown’s Old Settler’s Picnic Results
Uniontown had a cool, cloudy day on Labor Day for their annual Old Settler’s Picnic, which has been going on since 1905.
The weekend was full, with a fishing derby, community church service and games preceding the day of the picnic, along with Uniontown High School all-school reunion.
On Labor Day a parade, picnic, games and the traditional recognition of Old Settlers took place along with a large car show in memory of Dale Jackson, a long-time business owner.
The following results of some of the contests were provided by Becky Shinn, treasurer/secretary of the Old Settler’s Picnic Committee.
On Sunday night, the corn hole contest was won by Tyler Walker and Chase Ermel, with second place going to Corey Chandra and Dillion Weddle.
“The Sunday Family Fun night was well attended,” Shinn said.
“The activities went very well and everyone had a chance to see old friends.”
The children’s parade always preceeds the bigger parade and the following kids won prizes for:
Best Theme: Harper and Holden Bunnell,
Best Costume: Josie Miller and Bennett Miller, and
Best Battery Operated Child’s Vehicle: Jett Troutman with Sadie and Molly Troutman.
The following groups won prizes in the parade:
Best Church Float: Bethel Community Baptist Church
Best Theme Float: The Class of ‘62
Best School Floats:
1. UHS Sophomore Class and UHS Football players.
Second place: Fort Scott Community Cheer and Dance Team.
The traditional recognition for oldest woman at the park – Natalie Comstock, oldest gentleman at the park – Glen Post;
the couple married the longest -Jerry and Betty O’Harah at 62 years and the former Uniontown resident that traveled the farthest- Dean and Shirly Meyers.
Special recognition was given to Suzie Franklin for all the help she has given the Old Settlers Picnic through the years.
The winners of the drawing for cash prizes were:
$100 – Jessica Hagon; $75 – Zach Franklin and
$50 – Michael Ireland.
The Old Settler’s Picnic Committee members were Shayla Knight, Rhonda DeWitt, Nancy Holt and Becky Shinn.
Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show results:
Ft. Scott Lighthouse Encouraging Unity
Fort Scott Lighthouse welcomes Rachel French, the leader of a local interdenominational Christian women’s group, IF: Fort Scott. IF: Fort Scott promotes unity throughout the Body of Christ in Fort Scott and surrounding areas.
They host weekly Bible studies and two large gatherings throughout the year. The studies and events are focused on unity, discipleship, and community.
IF will be hosting their next Gathering on Saturday, October 22. Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday, September 10, and can be purchased at https://iffortscott.wixsite.com.
Rachel is a Jesus Follower, wife to Daniel plus a mom to two teen girls, Grace and Sophie, an advocate for unity within the Body of Christ, a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and a believer in local community stewardship.
Guests are welcome Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. This is an interdenominational ministry opportunity for men, women, and youth. The goal of Aglow International is: Every nation touched, every heart changed.
Fort Scott Aglow Lighthouse meets the second Thursday of each month at the conference room of Fort Scott Inn, 101 State Street.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 7
Last Call to Get A Garage Sale on Chamber Map is Sept. 7
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Fostering A Skilled Workforce
Governor Laura Kelly Establishes Office of Registered Apprenticeship
~~Executive Order Expands Administration’s Workforce Development Efforts~~
TOPEKA – Today, on the heels of Labor Day, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order #22-07 establishing the Office of Registered Apprenticeship within the Kansas Department of Commerce. The Office will dramatically scale up the Kelly Administration’s efforts to meet the talent needs of Kansas businesses, give workers the skills and experience they need to compete in the modern economy, and knock down barriers to employment.
“We have spurred remarkable economic growth here in Kansas, but to continue that success, we have to ensure Kansas workers have the skills and opportunities they need to compete in today’s global economy,” Governor Kelly said. “I created this new Office of Registered Apprenticeship to prioritize fostering a workforce that meets the needs of Kansas businesses and of essential industries like education and healthcare.”
Registered Apprenticeship programs are a key workforce development tool for the Kelly Administration and the Kansas Department of Commerce.
In May, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced appointments to the Kansas Apprenticeship Council (KAC), a significant step in modernizing the Registered Apprenticeship program in Kansas. The 12-member KAC helps establish Registered Apprenticeship programs in traditional and non-traditional occupations and provides approval for submitted program requests.
All Registered Apprenticeship programs must have five core components to be recognized for certification, including on-the-job training, related technical instruction, mentorship, wage progression, and industry-recognized credentials. However, the driving force must be a business or industry willing to support an apprentice to “earn and learn” a career.
“The Office of Registered Apprenticeship is a key part of our strategy to develop the workforce that Kansas companies need,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Engaging and partnering with businesses to provide on-the-job training allows for a more highly skilled and qualified workforce, which in turn reduces turnover rates and recruitment costs while increasing productivity.”
The Office of Registered Apprenticeship will be housed in the Kansas Department of Commerce and led by Shonda Atwater, current Director of Internships and Apprenticeships. Kansas currently has 212 recognized Apprenticeships programs with 3,396 Kansas residents participating.
“Robust partnerships are essential to growing Registered Apprenticeship opportunities across Kansas,” said Director of Internships and Apprenticeships Shonda Atwater. “The new Office of Apprenticeship will serve as the primary resource to connect industry partners and training providers, in order to prepare Kansans for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
The Office of Registered Apprenticeship will:
- Evaluate, and report annually on, the extent, quality and impact of registered apprenticeships in Kansas.
- Develop strategies to modernize the registered apprenticeship program to include additional industries such as healthcare, IT, agricultural manufacturing, and distribution and logistics – all critical segments in the Kansas economy.
- Develop and advocate for registered apprenticeship program policies that place a special focus on veterans, women, people of color, those formerly incarcerated and others with barriers to successful employment.
Governor Kelly made the announcement at a state-of-the-art auto body repair shop at Washburn University Institute of Technology alongside leaders in organized labor and higher education.
“Registered apprenticeships give workers the tools they need to learn a trade and help build a stronger, more resilient Kansas economy. In fact, an apprenticeship program is how I first entered the construction industry,” said Alise Martiny, Business Manager of the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council. “Thank you Governor Kelly for creating this new office to expand apprenticeships and economic opportunities for working Kansans.”
“We have to do college differently, work differently, and train differently to continue to produce and recruit highly technical and skilled employees to our Kansas communities,” said Washburn University Institute of Technology Dean Michael Strohschein, Ed.D. “That’s what we’re doing here at Washburn Tech, and what we believe this new Office of Registered Apprenticeship will help achieve throughout the state.”
More information on Kansas Registered Apprenticeships can be found on the Kansas Department of Commerce website. In addition, regular “Dinner Bell Calls” are held to help build and promote registered apprenticeship programs, share resources, connect with others, and hear and share success stories.
FS Streets Advisory Board Meets Sept. 8
The Streets Advisory Board will meet Thursday, September 8th, 2022, at 4:00 PM at City Hall, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.
This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will also be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Bo Co Coalition Meets Sept. 7
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
September 7, 2022
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Destry Brown, USD 234 Superintendent. October program: Dacia Clark, Small Business Development Center.
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be October 5, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.