The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #48 9-2-26

Posted September 2, 2026

VOLUME 2026  SEPTEMBER 2   NUMBER 48

President Kelly Karl welcomed everyone, then gave the reflection, followed by the flag salute.

PROGRAM:

Mike Fincham introduced today’s speakers, Elizabeth Wright and Sammy Gleason, with From the Land of Kansas.

Sammy Gleason is Marketing Manager for From the Land of Kansas
Sammy Gleason is Marketing Manager for From the Land of Kansas, the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s state trademark program promoting products grown, raised, and produced in Kansas. Since November 2022, she has led marketing, education, and buyer outreach that supports farmers, food businesses, and farmers’ markets statewide – organizing producer workshops, specialty crop marketing training, and “Meet the Buyers” connections. With deep farm roots, she is passionate about helping Kansas agribusinesses thrive and sharing their stories. Sammy hails from Smith Center, Kansas.

 

 

Elizabeth Wright, Member Coordinator for From the Land of Kansas
Elizabeth Wright is Member Coordinator for From the Land of Kansas. She joined the team in May, 2026 and has supported the work of the program through onboarding new members, connecting with current and potential members on site visits, and planning initiatives and events such as holiday gift boxes and the From the Land of Kansas booth at the Kansas State Fair. Elizabeth deeply values telling the story of agriculture by supporting local Kansas agribusinesses. Elizabeth hails from Manhattan, Kansas.

Elizabeth and Sammy’s topic is “From the Land of Kansas Marketing”.

From the Land of Kansas is the state’s trademark program, designed to promote and celebrate ag experiences and products grown, raised or produced in Kansas. This organization has served Kansas ag businesses since 1977. They are committed to supporting local businesses because they are the foundation upon which the Kansas economy thrives.

It is easy to join their program online, and it’s free!

Who can join: farmers, ranchers, producers, processors, value added agriculture, manufacturing, restaurants, agritourism and retail partners who meet the qualifications below.

Qualifications to become a member:
  • 100% of the product is grown, raised, or produced in Kansas
  • 100% of the product’s processing, manufacturing or craftsmanship is done in Kansas
  • A restaurant that is Kansas owned and serves one or more primary Kansas food ingredients
  • A business that provides an agriculture-based experience in Kansas

They currently have over 500 members.

Benefits:
  • A listing on fromthelandofkansas.com website
  • Online promotion: blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
  • UPC barcodes
  • Use of the “From the Land of Kansas” logo
  • Product listing on e-commerce website
  • Marketing assistance
  • Events and tradeshows (i.e., the Kansas State Fair)
  • Newsletters
  • Discounted rates with Kansas Value Added Foods Lab/Meats Lab

Their goal is to help take Kansas businesses to the next level. They provide custom benefits tailored to the needs of the business.

From The Land of Kansas has an E-commerce website, shop.fromthelandofkansas.com.

Items available online include sunflower oil, honey, snacks, BBQ sauces, seasonings, and rubs, pet treats, lavender products, and holiday gift boxes. The gift boxes go on sale October 1. They also sell items at various events and popup stores at Kansas Agriculture Day at the Capitol, the state fair, member meetups, tradeshows, and the Kansas holiday market.

Sammy and Elizabeth enjoy visiting member’s businesses to learn about their stories.

They also have a Central Farmers’ Market Registration: there are 116 farmers markets registered.

Registration provides limited legal liability protection, marketing resources and templates, and helps Kansans discover farmers markets near them.

Elizabeth Wright, left and Sammy Gleason, right
Contact Information:

Sammy.gleason@ks.gov

 

 

 

 

GUESTS: No guests were present.

CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:

Our fall social will be held on Sept 20 at Optimist Park. The main dish will be catered by R. C. McGraw’s. Please sign up to attend the social, to bring side dishes, and to help get ready for the event.

Next week (noon meeting) there will be an election for next year’s officers.

Doug Jardine announced he is participating in the Great Cycle Challenge again this year, which raises money for children’s cancer research. Doug will take donations at club meetings and will have a link to the donation page sent to members.

Our club will do football parking at Central National Bank for Saturday’s KSU home game.

The Aggieville Chili Crawl will be held on Oct 24, 2026. We are still looking for a few more sponsors.

On November 7th the Optimist will be able to manage the parking at the fire station on Denison and receive the revenue. Volunteers will be needed to park cars for that event.

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.

NEXT WEEKS’S MEETING:

SEPTEMBER 9 – NOON MEETING: Program: Tim Gregory/Tonya Roberts, Dance Studio Owner/Instructor: Topic: “Ballroom Dancing”

SEPTEMBER MEETINGS

SEPTEMBER 16 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Karla Hagemeister, Director – Flint Hills Breadbasket: Topic: “Food Insecurity”

SEPTEMBER 23 – NOON MEETING: Program: Stephanie Peterson, Dir. Manhattan Planning & Development: Topic: “Master Plan Development for Manhattan”