On today’s podcast episode we’re with Luke and Jennifer Mahin of Irrigation Ales in Courtland, Kansas (pop. 294). They’re sharing how they have built this business over time, starting with the Courtland Fermentation Club and the process of learning how to brew good, quality beer, as well as the cool story behind their branding.

In 1988 the train depot was moved from its location in Courtland to create their current storefront one mile north of town on 36 Highway. As time passed, interest in local apples began to wane and habits of canning and preserving changed.

Luke and Jennifer Mahin are the co-owners of Irrigation Ales located in Courtland, Kansas. Irrigation Ales’ mission is to positively influence our rural region and people through fermentation.

What is needed more in a thriving small town than healthcare, especially in rural America? Talk to most people in North Central Kansas and the average drive to seek healthcare services is 30+ miles. With populations aging and pandemics taking center stage, bringing BIG city resources to small towns is just what Pivotal Health & Wellness is doing.

About 20 years ago a resident of McPherson, Kansas by the name of Jim Elliott was a frequent visitor of Gamekeeper’s Marsh seven miles south of Courtland where he hunted ducks each season. Having noticed the ruins of a limestone house sitting on a rise to the east of the marsh, he thought it would be a great place to build a home.

Adri and Chris first visited Formoso, Kansas in 2018 on a road trip, and this is when the seed hit the soil! At the time they were residing just outside of Denver in South Aurora. Adri a city lifer, having never lived anywhere outside a 10-mile radius of where she was born, and myself a former east-coaster.

Heartland Gamebirds was born out of a mutual love for two things, upland birds hunts and Courtland, Kansas. The dream of offering a fully guided, all inclusive hunting experience became a reality in 2019. The following year, they purchased two historic bank buildings on Main Street to restore as their lodge.

With a population of just under 300 residents, Courtland, Kansas stands out from other communities our size in a few ways. Our Main Street is full of small businesses, the school is maintaining its class sizes, and the median age of our residents is getting younger. Part of the cultural fabric of Courtland is coming together to create success.

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Shanna Lindberg of Soul Sister Ceramics in Courtland, Kansas. Shanna and her business partner, knowing nothing about how to make pottery, bought a kiln and became self taught pottery makers using Kansas clay from the Flint Hills.