Community Development
Engagement activities that involve community-based efforts to enhance the cohesiveness, attractiveness, safety, leadership, or viability of communities. Engaged projects aimed specifically at cultural training or development should be considered as "Arts and Culture" focus area. Engagement efforts focused primarily on enhancing the economic viability of communities should be considered as "Business and Economic Development" focus area.
The process of community development involves community dialogue, bringing a community together to determine a shared vision and a shared way to proceed resulting in investments in a multitude of aspects that support quality of life. Community development includes planned investments in economic development,cultural and political development, social development as well as addressing human needs, infrastructure and the built and natural environment. Utilizing these resource categories, you will find links to K-State Community Development Resources below.
Featured programs
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Kansas PRIDE Program The Kansas PRIDE program is a partnership between K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Commerce, Community Development. The program offers assistance to volunteer community improvement groups for organization, community assessment, planning, resource identification, and recognition of success. |
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Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development The Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development enhances rural development by helping rural people help themselves. Huck Boyd offers guidance with leadership development programs, the First Impressions Program, and with promotion of rural business development. |
Cultural
The Wilson Chezch Festival in Wilson, Kansas.
Investing in the Cultural element includes investment in ways to preserve or enhance local history, investment in the performing and visual arts, and promotion of cultural foods, traditions, and celebrations.
K-State resources
Arts and culture
Viewing arts and culture as playing a vital role in community development, K-State's
Center for Engagement and Community Development is partnering with numerous K-State
departments, KSRE, Kansas Campus Compact, and the Educational Communications Center
to integrate arts and culture into all aspects of Kansas' community life.
Kansas resources
Kansas Sampler Foundation
The mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture by educating Kansans about Kansas
and by networking and supporting rural communities.
Kansas Humanities Council
The Kansas Humanities Council creates, sponsors, and promotes humanities programs
across Kansas.
Economic
Investment in community economic development includes investment in ways to enhance existing business, supplement incomes, create new businesses, and opportunities to invest in community through foundations, organizations, etc.
CECD projects
Technology Transfer and Development
Putting information and resources in the hands of Kansas industries and entrepreneurs
who might be interested in developing and marketing the vast number of viable and
available technologies.
Rural Grocery Store Sustainability
Confronting issues of business development, public health and community sustainability,
CECD is partnering with the Kansas Sampler Foundation, the Kansas Rural Center, grocery
store owners from across the state and faculty and staff from the departments of agricultural
economics, human nutrition and rural sociology at K-State to identify and develop
models to sustain retail sources of food for rural Kansas citizens.
Expanding Institutional Markets and Local Food Production in the Kansas River Valley
A project to engage K-State faculty, local farmers and ranchers, and local institutional,
school system and restaurant buyers to build a sustainable food system. The project
will be a pilot experiment and demonstration of how local food systems can augment
the current industrial model of food production and supply. An Internet-based brokerage
system will be introduced, developed by K-State and the Kansas Rural Center. The lead
KSU faculty is Rhonda Janke, associate professor of horticulture, forestry, and recreation.
K-State resources
Business Development
Putting information and resources in the hands of Kansas industries and entrepreneurs.
Kansas Saves Campaign
Encourage individual Kansans, youth and adults, to 'Save More and Reduce Debt' to
achieve peace of mind today -- and a more secure financial future.
The Innovation Center
K-State faculty and staff have helped many people in the agricultural industry implement
innovative ideas which are important and critical to the long-run sustainability of
agricultural producers and the viability of rural communities. The Innovation Center
has been working with entrepreneurs and community leaders to transform their ideas
into excellent solutions for their customers and their citizens.
Office of Local Government
The Office of Local Government provides educational outreach, technical assistance,
applied research, and information and referral services to city and county governments,
local organizations, the county Extension network and citizens throughout Kansas.
These services relate to three broad and interconnected program areas: local and regional
economic development practice and policy, local public service organization and finance,
and natural resource management and land use planning.
Kansas resources
Kansas Small Business Development Center
The KSBDC Network provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with knowledge,
tools and resources to enhance their success.
Environment
The PRIDE Park in Melvern, Kansas.
Investing in the Environment includes both the natural environment and the built environment. Investment can include protection and treatment of water quality and quantity, air quality, land use policies, plant and wildlife management, building practices, utilities, streets and community infrastructure, community energy, community cleanliness, and communications systems.
CECD projects
Bio-Fuels Initiative
This multi-departmental collaborative project is under the joint direction of Rural
Sociology and KCARE, and involves Agricultural Economics and the Center for Engagement
and Community Development. This project will examine how investment in the bio-fuels
processing industry impacts aspects on rural community life, including cultural, social,
economic, and environmental changes.
K-State resources
Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops
The Center works in partnership with state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations,
environmental groups and producer organizations to assist family farmers and ranchers
to boost farm profitability, protect natural resources, and enhance rural communities.
The Kansas Urban Water Quality Protection Initiative
As part of this initiative, the Office of Local Government (OLG) at Kansas State University
Research and Extension provides technical assistance and outreach education to cities
and counties working to incorporate water quality objectives issues into local land
use planning efforts, including comprehensive plans and zoning and subdivision ordinances.
Grazing Land Water Quality Education Program
In its first year, the program leaders are cooperating with five grazing land managers
in a three-county area. The area involves Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie Counties.
The overall goal of the multi-year program is to develop an education program so that
producers and professionals can evaluate the water quality status of grazing lands,
and develop potential solutions when necessary. Grazing lands are potential sources
of suspended solids, bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, and biological oxygen demand
(BOD).
The Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment
The Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment was established to
coordinate and enhance research, extension and teaching activities pertaining to environmental
issues related to agriculture.
Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services
The mediation process is designed to assist farmers, agricultural lenders and USDA
agencies resolve disputes in a confidential and non-adversarial setting outside the
traditional legal process.
Assessing the Impact of Maneuver Training on NPS Pollution and Water Quality. Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program
To identify sources of NPS pollution resulting from military activities and assess
the impact of this pollution on surface water quality.
Green Topeka: Vegetated BMPs for Urban Stormwater Control
In November 2000, the City initiated Green Topeka to address water quality and quantity
concerns. Green Topeka is a partnership that includes state agencies, Kansas State
University, local government, nonprofit organizations, private stakeholders, and the
USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC). The partnership is working to develop and
implement a Stormwater Master Plan. Green Topeka views stormwater projects holistically
and is using the experience to develop a set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to
address stormwater concerns and to increase green infrastructure throughout the community.
Civil Infrastructure Systems Laboratory
The laboratory is a destructive testing facility developed to assist highway departments,
contractors, design engineers and public works departments in construction and maintenance
of roads and bridges. Load and weather conditions can be simulated in the laboratory
so as to understand causes of failure or limited endurance of roads and bridges. Testing
is done at full scale.
Office of Local Government
The Office of Local Government provides educational outreach, technical assistance,
applied research, and information and referral services to city and county governments,
local organizations, the county Extension network and citizens throughout Kansas.
These services relate to three broad and interconnected program areas: local and regional
economic development practice and policy, local public service organization and finance,
and natural resource management and land use planning.
WaterLink
WaterLINK is a service-learning project available to college and university faculty
and community watersheds in Kansas. WaterLINK is funded by the Kansas Department of
Health & Environment through EPA 319 funds. WaterLINK aims to infuse service learning
into the college classroom, with the main goal of improving water quality through
community/campus partnerships.
Kansas Environmental Leadership Program
The Kansas Environmental Leadership Program (KELP) is a new approach to community
leadership training. KELP offers an exciting combination of activities about leadership
studies and research on water quality. The result is an experience in leadership that
will prepare graduates to be catalysts for water quality protection.
Kansas resources
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is a cabinet-level agency with a Secretary
appointed by the Governor. A seven-member, bipartisan commission, also appointed by
the Governor, advises the Secretary and approves regulations governing outdoor recreation
and fish and wildlife resources in Kansas.
Kansas Department of Health and the Environment
Their vision is healthy Kansans living in safe and sustainable environments.
Human
Investing in the Human Element is an investment in People. This can include investment in education, physical
fitness and recreation opportunities, community level availability of healthy foods.
Everything relating to mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.
CECD projects
Development of a Pilot Learning Project at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community
This is an integrated internship program, using student interns from as many as 20
K-State programs who will work at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan,
Kansas one day a week focusing on leadership development, team building and problem-solving
activities; coordinated research and its applied implications for the retirement community;
and addressing lifelong learning needs of Meadowlark Hills residents, as well as developing
high quality staff education
Community-based Participatory Research for Obesity Prevention and Management in Rural Kansas Latinos
Working with the Southwest Area Extension office, Melissa Bopp and Elizabeth Fallon
on the kinesiology department will determine community-based solutions for enhancing
physical exercise and promoting healthy behaviors in Latino populations. In addition
to the community assessment, students and community members will develop a community
resource guide for physical activity.
Partnerships for Healthier Kansas
A collaborative project among K-State's Carol Ann Holcomb, Mike Bradshaw and Elaine
Johannes, this project links the knowledge of the master's in public health degree
program with K-State Research and Extension trainers and local public audiences. This
project promotes healthy eating and healthy behaviors. The project will include community-based
implementation teams to help communities take active approaches to improving the health
of citizens in Kansas.
K-State resources
Center on Aging
K-State's Center on Aging coordinates and develops educational and training programs
in aging, stimulates aging research, coordinates outreach activities, and serves as
a referral center for information on aging resources in Kansas.
4-H and Youth Development
Though developed to serve rural youth, Kansas 4-H annually serves urban and rural
youth through clubs, school enrichment, and after-school and camping programs.
School-Based 4-H Clubs
Research shows that 4-H provides opportunities for children to learn, practice and
master a variety of social and leadership skills.
Russian-American Association for the Integration and Development of Educational Systems
ARIOS was formed in the summer of 1991 and incorporated officially as a non-profit
organization by the Ministry of Justice of Russia on May 14, 1992. This leadership
worked closely with the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation to spearhead
and support the educational reform process currently taking place throughout the Russian
Federation.
Community Health Institute
CHI's mission is to understand and promote healthy behavior through innovative and
sustainable community partnerships and capacity building; behavioral science prevention
and intervention research; and, outcomes-based cooperative extension programming.
Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance
The Great Plains IDEA is an award-winning multi-state alliance lead by Human Sciences
Colleges, founded in 1994, as a means to create a marketplace for sharing distance
education courses and programs at the graduate level via Internet-based courses.
Center for Rural Education and Small Schools
The center focuses its efforts upon the improvement of the education of the children
and youth of the rural and small schools of Kansas and the regional area served by
Kansas State University.
Kansas resources
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is a cabinet-level agency with a Secretary
appointed by the Governor. A seven-member, bipartisan commission, also appointed by
the Governor, advises the Secretary and approves regulations governing outdoor recreation
and fish and wildlife resources in Kansas.
Kansas Health Institute
The Kansas Health Institute is an independent, nonprofit health policy and research
organization based in Topeka, Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multi-year grant
from the Kansas Health Foundation, the Kansas Health Institute conducts research and
policy analysis on issues that affect the health of Kansans.
Social and Political
The Kansas PRIDE sign in Rossville, Kansas.
Investing in the Social and Political elements of community includes involving the entire community in opportunities for involvement and participation in groups, organizations, or clubs. It involves cultivating and sharing leadership and decision-making. Investing in the social element also means helping community organizations or groups to work together on shared community goals.
CECD projects
Public Issues Facilitation Workshop
Our communities are confronted by many important and, at times, controversial public
issues. Issues such as shrinking water tables, risk and disaster preparedness, immigration,
energy, public education, and issues of economic development all confront our cities
and towns. For communities to move forward in a positive and productive way, it is
essential to hear citizens' voices and understand how they feel on these important
issues. The Public Issues Facilitation Workshop trains citizen leaders to organize,
facilitate, and assess community forums.
Technical Assistance to Urban Core Communities
Sheri Smith, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture / Regional and Community
Planning, is working with the Local Initiative Support Corporation of Kansas City,
project participants to assist neighborhood groups with efforts related to planning,
resource development, nonprofit organization, community connections and program delivery.
Success will be measured by the neighborhood groups meeting the threshold requirements
to qualify as a candidate for the NeighborhoodsNow community project in Kansas City.
K-State resources
Political Science
Political science study focuses on the function of government in society. Topics studied
by political scientists range from public opinion, elections, and interest groups
to comparative government, international relations, political philosophy, constitutional
law, and public administration.
Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy
The Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy (ICDD) was formed in 2004 in response
to the crisis in our public discourse. The ever-decaying quality of political talk
has resulted in incivility, citizen alienation, and community fragmentation. ICDD
promotes citizen deliberation on tough political and social issues, resulting in increased
citizen participation, reflection, communication, and respect.
Office of Local Government
The Office of Local Government provides educational outreach, technical assistance,
applied research, and information and referral services to city and county governments,
local organizations, the county Extension network and citizens throughout Kansas.
These services relate to three broad and interconnected program areas: local and regional
economic development practice and policy, local public service organization and finance,
and natural resource management and land use planning.
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
The Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development enhances rural development
by helping rural people help themselves.
Kansas resources
Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR)
KIPCOR functions as an institute within Bethel College to strengthen conflict resolution
and peace-building capacities in the communities and institutions it serves.
National Issues Forums
National Issues Forums (NIF) is a nonpartisan, nationwide network of locally sponsored
public forums for the consideration of public policy issues. It is rooted in the simple
notion that people need to come together to reason and talk — to deliberate about
common problems. Indeed, democracy requires an ongoing deliberative public dialogue.