Located in central Kansas, Barton County is an agricultural community anchored by its largest city, Great Bend. Attractions include the Kansas Wetlands Education Center and Cheyenne Bottoms wildlife area. The county has a population around 27,000 people. Barton County offers several museums and historical sites that chronicle the area's heritage. Ellinwood is another community in Barton County known for its architecture.

Seward County in southwest Kansas is home to the county seat of Liberal. Key industries include agriculture and oil production. Points of interest include Dorothy's House and the Land of Oz exhibit. The county has a population of about 22,000 residents. Seward County offers wide open spaces and prairie landscapes along with agricultural production. The economy relies on farming, ranching, and oil and gas extraction.

Rush County offers a rural, agricultural setting in central Kansas. The county seat is La Crosse and the local economy is based on farming and ranching. Outdoor attractions include Otter Creek Lake. Rush County has around 3,000 residents in small farm communities. The history of the county is closely tied to railroad expansion in the area. Nekoma is another small town located in Rush County.

Rice County sits in central Kansas north of Barton County. The county seat is Lyons and the local economy relies on agriculture. Little River and Kanopolis Lake provide recreation. The population is around 10,000 concentrated in small towns. Chase State Fishing Lake is another popular spot for outdoor recreation. Rice County is home to several historic bridges.

Otis County in west-central Kansas has a small population and an agricultural economy. The county seat is Otis. This rural county offers open prairies and scenic vistas. With just over 1,500 residents, Otis County is very sparsely populated. The economy depends on wheat, livestock and dairy production. The county has several century-old churches and buildings.

Stafford County lies in south central Kansas with the county seat in St. John. Agriculture drives the economy. Outdoor attractions include Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Stafford County has a population around 4,500 with a flat prairie landscape. In addition to the refuge, other attractions include antique shops and local museums. St. John was established in 1879 as a railroad town.

Ellsworth County in central Kansas provides an agricultural landscape dotted with small towns. Holyrood is the county seat. The county offers beautiful prairie landscapes. Ellsworth County has about 6,500 residents overall. The county has experienced population declines as family farms consolidate. Bushton is home to an antique tractor collection and historical museum.