What does it take to transform a community when you're barely old enough to drive? Andres Mata was just 13 years old when he was appointed to Salina's Human Relations Commission, and that was only the beginning of his civic journey. Six years ago, at age 21, he founded the Kansas Civic Network with a simple belief: the resources to solve our communities' biggest challenges already exist—we just need to connect the right people with the right ideas. From launching the first food pantry in Lindsborg's history to helping Latino farmers understand organic certification, Andres and his team have learned that the most powerful solutions often come from the simplest actions: picking up the phone, asking questions, and refusing to accept "that's not my role" as an answer. Kansas faces real challenges—by 2050, 76% of the state's population will live in just 19 counties—but Andres has seen firsthand that when young people are invited to the table instead of told to wait their turn, remarkable things happen. The question isn't whether Kansas has what it takes to thrive; it's whether we're willing to work together to make it happen.

Highlights:

• Started civic engagement at age 9 with a Haiti relief fundraiser that raised $3,400

• Appointed to Salina's Human Relations Commission at 13, then Planning Commission at 16

• Founded Kansas Civic Network at age 21 during COVID-19 pandemic

• Helped establish Lindsborg's first food pantry in city history after discovering 1/3 of Bethany College students were food insecure

• Built a remote, all-volunteer team of young professionals from 7+ states using Handshake platform

• Conducted USDA-funded seminars revealing critical gaps in organic farming education for Latino farmers in southwest Kansas

• Operates with radical transparency: "We're basically a club of young doers"

• Core philosophy: "We just do it" - removing barriers and focusing on community benefit over organizational ego

Chapters:

[0:00] Introduction - Meet Semi Quinn the Bison

[1:58] Meet Andres Mata: Early Life and Civic Engagement

[6:56] The Kansas Civic Network: Mission and Impact

[11:17] Challenges and Success Stories in Rural Kansas

[13:54] Building a Team of Young Doers

[26:40] Organizational Structure and Future Goals

[36:20] Founding the Kansas Civic Network

[37:02] Challenges and Hopes for Kansas

[39:16] The Role of Politics in Community Work

[41:29] Engaging Communities and Institutions

[44:49] Organic Farming Project

[47:47] Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

[48:31] Post-Interview Reflections

[54:27] Who's A Kansan: Community Organizer Edition

[63:21] Closing

Resources Mentioned:

• Kansas Civic Network - https://www.kscivicnetwork.org/

• Bethany College (Lindsborg, Kansas) - https://www.bethanylb.edu/

• Kansas 250 - https://www.travelks.com/kansas-250/

This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

What happens when a school administrator discovers TikTok during a pandemic and decides Kansas deserves better representation? Steven Kimmi joins us to share his journey from isolation to becoming one of Kansas' most dedicated content creators. From sleeping in his car at Little Jerusalem to eating three burgers in one day, Steven reveals the adventures, challenges, and philosophy behind his mission to celebrate Kansas' food scene and small-town businesses. Plus, he settles the score on Cozy Inn, shares his most memorable meals, and explains why he'll never post a negative restaurant review.

Highlights:

• How pandemic isolation and TikTok sparked Steven's Kansas content creation journey
• The infamous Little Jerusalem camping fail and reversing a mile down a muddy road in a minivan
• Why Steven focuses on promoting small-town Kansas businesses instead of just Wichita and Kansas City
• The colorblind video that hit 2 million views and temporarily impressed his teenage kids
• Steven's burger philosophy: three in one day was a mistake, and why he won't trash restaurants publicly
• Partnerships with Kansas State Fair and River Festival, plus dreams of World Cup content
• The gap in Kansas' food scene: where's a good bagel shop when you need one?
• Steven's most memorable meals: pasta in Italy, farm-to-table in Fort Wayne, and rare AHI tuna in Wichita
• Why Steven can't schedule content more than a day ahead (and the stressful 4-6 PM scramble)
• Teaching, social media, and staying authentic both on and off camera
• The Volga Germans' legacy: how Catherine the Great, Turkey Red wheat, and bierocks transformed Kansas

Chapters:

• [0:00] Discovering a Supercell Shelf Cloud
• [1:50] Introducing Steven Kimmi
• [2:41] Welcome, Steven Kimmi
• [3:22] Steven's Journey as a Content Creator
• [4:03] Sourdough Cinnamon Roll Taste Test
• [6:08] Adventures and Challenges in Kansas
• [14:52] Focusing on Food and Small Businesses
• [17:46] Collaborations and Future Plans
• [21:02] The Influence of Social Media on Teaching
• [21:57] Handling Negative Experiences at Restaurants
• [22:48] Burger Eating Adventures
• [23:51] Content Scheduling Struggles
• [25:00] Kansas Food Scene and Restaurant Gaps
• [28:45] Memorable Dining Experiences
• [31:45] Thanks for joining us
• [33:48] The Volga Germans and Kansas Wheat
• [39:04] The Legacy of Volga German Cuisine
• [40:55] Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Features

Resources Mentioned:

• Steven Kimmi on TikTok
• Steven Kimmi on Instagram
• Steven Kimmi’s website: https://stevenkimmi.com/
• Cozy Inn (Salina, Kansas)
• Jiffy Burger (Smith Center, Kansas)
• Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
• Kansas Sampler Foundation
• Kansas State Fair
• Salina River Festival

This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

What if your family farm could reach 250 million people worldwide? Greg Peterson of Peterson Farm Brothers fame turned a college project into a viral phenomenon that's been educating the world about agriculture for over 13 years. From nursing home performances as a toddler to appearing on national television just four days after posting his first farming music video, Greg's journey shows how passion, faith, and creativity can transform an entire industry's conversation. But behind the viral success lies a deeper story—one of balancing family farming with content creation, living with Type 1 diabetes, and staying rooted in Kansas values while traveling the globe.

Highlights:

• How a K-State ag communications student created a viral farming music video that got 5 million views in one week—with zero marketing budget

• The moment everything changed: being on Fox & Friends in New York City just four days after posting their first video

• Why "I'm Farming and I Grow It" became a cultural phenomenon and launched a 13-year YouTube career

• Balancing full-time farming with content creation, speaking engagements, and managing multiple social media platforms

• Living with Type 1 diabetes as a farmer and traveler—playing the "video game" of insulin management on expert level

• What Greg learned about agriculture by visiting all 50 states twice and 10 countries

• The current challenges facing American farmers and why community support matters more than ever

• Why the "Tractor Stuck" video resonates with farming families and teaches an important lesson about asking for help

• How faith, family, and farming intertwine in Greg's daily life

• Why traveling the world made Greg love Kansas even more

Chapters:

[0:00] Madeline's Photography Adventures

[1:30] Introducing Greg Peterson

[2:37] Greg's Musical and Farming Background

[5:05] The Viral Success of Peterson Farm Brothers

[14:17] Balancing Farming and Content Creation

[19:23] Living with Type 1 Diabetes

[24:35] Building a Community Around the Channel

[26:35] Kids and Tractors: The Viral Video

[27:26] Challenges in American Agriculture

[29:35] The Importance of Community in Farming

[31:25] Educating the Public About Farming

[35:26] The Role of Faith in Farming

[36:42] Love for Kansas: A Farmer's Perspective

[39:50] TikTok Fun and Kansas Culture

[46:54] Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas Pride

[48:30] A Hobbit-Inspired Pub in Kansas

[50:07] Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Farewell

Resources Mentioned:

• Peterson Farm Brothers YouTube Channel

• Kansas State University

• Pilgrim's Keep Pub in St. Mary's, Kansas

This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net