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Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Carl Koster – NFL Films

Posted on by Mary Lou Peter

It’s the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Time for the kickoff. The stadium is packed. Millions more are watching on television. Among the ones who are filming this contest is a man from rural Kansas.

Last week we learned about Carl Koster who is active in regional economic development as a city council member in his hometown of Cheney. Carl has had a fascinating career.

carlkosterCarl’s family has farmed near Cheney since 1891, and he still owns and manages that farm ground today. As a young man, he was active in 4-H where he learned public speaking and parliamentary procedure. “I still call on those experiences today,” Carl said.

One of his favorite 4-H projects was photography. He became the state 4-H winner in photography and went to the national 4-H Congress in Chicago.

Continue reading “Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Carl Koster – NFL Films” →

Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Carl Koster – Regional Economic Area Partners

Posted on by Mary Lou Peter

“You reap what you sow.” The truth of that timeless proverb has been demonstrated forever. Today we will learn about an organization serving south central Kansas which is helping to sow regional cooperation and reaping the results.

Carl Koster is the chair of the Regional Economic Area Partnership, or REAP. Carl is a member of the city council in Cheney, which is located near the Sedgwick-Kingman county line west of Wichita.

carlkosterreapCarl’s grandfather immigrated to the U.S. from Germany in 1884. In 1891, his grandfather bought a farm near Cheney. That land has been in the family ever since, and the farm has grown through the years. Carl grew up here, went to K-State, and pursued a career in video journalism but still lives at Cheney and manages his farm ground.

“My family was always public spirited,” Carl said. “My grandfather served on the school board and my dad was a township trustee.” Carl continued this family tradition. He got elected to the city council in Cheney and went on to serve as mayor for 12 years. He still serves on the city council today. Continue reading “Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural: Carl Koster – Regional Economic Area Partners” →