Barton, Ellis, Norton, Phillips and Smith Counties region
Barton County, Ellis County, Norton County, Phillips County and Smith County community visits
K-State spent Nov. 7-9, 2023, visiting several county regions: Barton County, Ellis County, Norton County, Phillips County and Smith County. The visits included several days of activities to engage with, listen to and learn from Kansans in the communities surrounding Great Bend, Hays, Norton, Phillipsburg and Smith Center. Read more about the regional community visit initiative.
Highlighted events
All community members in the region were invited to three major events. See a full schedule of other events below.
Full list of events
The multiday visit included additional activities with community leaders, organizations and partners in Barton County, Ellis County, Norton County, Phillips County and Smith County. There were community conversations, events to highlight university partnerships and K-State Research and Extension relationships, and recruitment activities.
Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 |
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Community open forum — Barton County and Ellis County regions |
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 |
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Safe water management for the health of all |
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Child care partnerships across all industries Affordable and quality child care plays a significant role in shaping our communities. Join a conversation with leaders in the Child Care Task Force of Ellis County, Nex-Tech, the Innovation Center and other organizations as they discuss collaborative child care efforts and the significance of industry partnerships to continue making countywide progress. |
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Community open forum — Norton County, Phillips County and Smith County regions Everyone is invited to attend this community event, where K-State leaders and students will host a dialogue about university and community connections and the student experience. A focus will be on the future of enhancing the successful partnerships and positive relationships with and between communities in the regions surrounding Norton, Phillipsburg and Smith Center. |
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Calling all 'Cats Interested in becoming a Wildcat? We invite all interested students and their families to attend this evening event. Hear from current K-State students and learn about their experiences and how you can begin your Wildcat journey. The event will cover student life, admissions, financial aid and scholarship opportunities and more. |
Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 |
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K-State 105: Advancing Kansas communities and businesses Take part in a facilitated conversation about the newly launched K-State 105 initiative, which is a business and community advancement initiative that works with partners across the state. Learn more and participate in the discussion with the Innovation Center and local business and community leaders. Together, we will brainstorm ways K-State or other key partners can help leverage resources to better serve the region. |
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Cultivating production agriculture partnerships for all Production agriculture plays a significant role in our communities and the entire state of Kansas. Join a conversation with Amber Wave, K-State and other organizations as they discuss ways to improve agriculture in Kansas. |
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How support for child care can lead to community growth Quality, affordable child care is part of a critical, yet challenging, economic infrastructure for many Kansas communities. Join K-State and child care advocates from Smith County and the surrounding region for a conversation on how organizations are working to address child care needs in their communities. |
Images at the top of the page provided by the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Norton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Phillips County Convention and Visitors Bureau/Phillipsburg Chamber of Commerce and the Smith Center Chamber of Commerce.