The Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership, or KARL, program has named a community development professional and entrepreneur as its new leadership program manager and facilitator.
In her new role with the program, Gretchin Staples is responsible for developing and facilitating the organization's educational sessions and managing class communication and resources. She began her new position on Aug. 21.
"Stepping into this role as program manager and facilitator is an opportunity to be involved in the success stories of rural Kansas, and it's an honor to work with the KARL leadership team," Staples said. "This organization plays a key part in activating leaders across our state, and I'm looking forward to seeing the success stories continue."
"We are excited to welcome Gretchin to KARL," said Jill Zimmerman, president of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership program. "With her background in rural development and curriculum planning plus her knowledge of the state, she brings terrific experience to our team."
A graduate of Kansas State University from Beloit, Staples was involved in the Leadership Mitchell County program in 2019. Involvement in that program's curriculum and development sparked her interest in the KARL program.
After owning and operating Shabby Shed Furniture and Interior Design in Osborne for 10 years, she relocated her family to Beloit to manage Schnell and Pestinger Furniture. With both children now grown, she used her experience and creativity to open bizDISTRICT, a community designed for resources and support of small rural business owners.
Source: k-state.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ron_thomase+
Categories: Kansas, Education