The 20th annual We Kan! awards were presented May 5 at the Kansas Sampler Festival to ten people who help preserve and sustain rural culture. The awards are given by the Kansas Sampler Foundation as appreciation for dedicated work to help preserve and sustain rural culture.

The 2013 winners are:

ABBY AMICK, Wabaunsee County Eco. Devo.
Powering Up Agri-women and Kansas

TAMMY BRITT, Cloud County Tourism
Good Thinker & Bright Spirit

COMMUNITY OF LIBERAL
Bringing Kansas Together 2012-2013

MARC & ALICE FERGUSON, Meade
Preserving the Old West Story

MARIETA HAUSER, Grant County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Doing It All for Grant County

DON LAMPE, Piqua
Always-there-to-help Guy

LIZ SOSA, Garden City
Leading the Way to PowerUp Kansas

BRENDA STAGGENBORG, Chamber of Commerce, Marysville
Making It Happen in Marysville

U.S. HIGHWAY 36 ASSOCIATION
Century of Promoting East to West

SARAH WERNER, Chamber of Commerce, Winfield
Valuable PowerUp Voice Across Kansas

The 2012 winners are:

Myrna Barnes, Elkhart, Commitment to County History

Amy Bickel Hutchinson News, Perfectly Penning about Past Kansas Towns

Vicki Gillett, Larned, Longtime Community Promoter

Connie Grafel, Oberlin, Steady Regional Influence

Keystone Gallery, Logan County, Fabulous Fossil Stewards

Connie Kimsey, Arkansas City, Rock Solid Regional Partner

Dick Mosier, Herington, Valuable Volunteer and Explorer

Fred Peterson, Marquette, Determined Community Booster

Julie Roller, Wamego, Awesome Supporter of her Towns

Ruben Schuckman, Hays, Devoted Promoter of Ellis County Towns

Foundation director Marci Penner said, "In their own way, each of these people has made an impact for the good of rural Kansas. It is our privilege to honor them."

The awards plates are made annually by Steve and Jane Fry of Elk Falls Pottery.

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See past award winners here.