Leadership at Every Level: What I Learned from Kansas Leadership Training (Thanks to a Transformations Grant)
If you work in food systems or community policy, chances are you're juggling a hundred different things—coalition meetings, grant reporting, last-minute logistics, and trying to move the needle on issues that really matter. I get it. That’s where I was when I heard about the Kansas leadership training program funded through the Transformations Grant.
To be honest, my first reaction was: This probably isn’t for me.
I don’t have “director” in my title. I’m not in a big policy-making role. I figured this kind of leadership training was designed for people higher up the chain. But I took a chance and applied—and I’m so glad I did.
Leadership Isn’t a Title—It’s a Practice
One of the biggest takeaways from the training is that leadership isn’t just for those with official power or a corner office. Leadership happens in how we show up at the community table. It’s in how we connect with producers, advocate for better policy, and build trust across sectors.
Whether you're running a community garden, coordinating a farm-to-school program, organizing at the neighborhood level, or helping shape food access policy—that’s leadership.
What the Training Looked Like
The program, supported by the Transformations Grant, brought together folks from all over Kansas who care deeply about their communities. It focused on:
Adaptive leadership: how to lead through uncertainty and change
Equity and inclusion: ensuring leadership reflects and serves the full community
Collaborative action: working across systems and sectors
Visioning for long-term impact: thinking beyond short-term wins
We shared stories, asked tough questions, and practiced leading from wherever we are—whether that's in a board room, a school cafeteria, a city council meeting, or out in the field.
How It’s Shaping My Work
Since the training, I’ve noticed a shift in how I approach my work. I’m more intentional about building relationships across silos. I’ve started asking more reflective questions when making decisions. And I’ve gained confidence that my voice—and the voices of others like me—matter in shaping how our food systems function.
More than anything, I’ve learned that small shifts in how we lead can create big ripples.
A Word to Fellow Food Systems and Community Leaders
If you’re in the trenches doing the real, day-to-day work of improving food systems and community well-being, I want you to hear this: you are a leader. And programs like this are built for people like you—people who care, who show up, and who want to grow in ways that benefit the entire community.
I’m incredibly grateful to the Transformations Grant program for making this opportunity possible. It reminded me that leadership doesn’t have to look a certain way—it just has to be rooted in care, curiosity, and a commitment to change.
So if you’ve ever thought, “I’m not really a leader,” think again. You already are.
