WICHITA, KANSAS - (March 16, 2017) The five Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and CoBank today announced their donation of $160,000 to the Kansas Livestock Foundation to aid rebuilding efforts following the recent wildfires in Central and Western Kansas. The Kansas Livestock Foundation is the charitable arm of the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA), a Topeka-based grassroots organization of livestock producers. All donated funds will be distributed to ranchers affected by the wildfire for use in recovery and rebuilding efforts following the disaster.
Denver-based CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusiness, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit Associations, will match contributions made by the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas-American AgCredit, Farm Credit of Ness City, Farm Credit of Western Kansas, Frontier Farm Credit, and High Plains Farm Credit for a total contribution of $160,000. The five farmer-owned Farm Credit Associations of Kansas provide financing and related services to rural communities and agriculture throughout Kansas, and have a long history of partnering with the KLA on important matters impacting agriculture throughout the state.
The recent fires set the record for the largest wildfire in Kansas history, breaking the record set by the 2016 Anderson Creek fire.
"We are deeply concerned for all who were impacted by the devastating wildfires, including more than 30 American AgCredit customers who lost livestock, homes, grass, fences, equipment, and more," said Greg Reno, senior vice president, American AgCredit. "It is our honor to support the Kansas Livestock Foundation, along with our Farm Credit partners, in this important relief effort, and we are committed to working closely with our affected customers in the days and weeks ahead."
"Support of this fund on behalf of our borrower-owners ties back to the support provided last year after the Anderson Creek fire," said Kevin Swayne, President and CEO, High Plains Farm Credit and Farm Credit of Ness City. "Back-to-back natural disasters in our region are truly devastating and we are thankful to be in a position to provide assistance."
"Farm Credit and CoBank have a history of standing by our customers and the rural communities we serve in good times and in bad," said Travis Ball, regional vice president, CoBank. "The recent wildfires throughout Kansas have created a tremendous need and we are committed to doing our part to support the industry and the people of Kansas in their recovery efforts."
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Contact: Farm Credit Associations of Kansas
Janet Bailey (785) 313-4579
Greg Reno (316) 729-3420
CoBank: Sherry Johnson (303) 740-6518
KLA: Matt Teagarden (785) 273-5115
About Farm Credit Associations of Kansas
The Farm Credit Associations of Kansas are patronage-paying associations, serving more than 15,000 shareholders. Farm Credit has a rich tradition in Kansas for 100 years. The Farm Credit System is comprised of borrower-owned financial institutions serving farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural communities. The five Farm Credit Associations of Kansas are: Farm Credit of Western Kansas, Farm Credit of Ness City, High Plains Farm Credit, American AgCredit, and Frontier Farm Credit. More information is available at www.farmcredit.com.
About CoBank
CoBank is a $126 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.
CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.
For more information about CoBank, visit the bank's web site at www.cobank.com
About KLA
The Kansas Livestock Association is a trade association representing 5600 members on legislative and regulatory issues. KLA was formed in 1894 when a group of more than 100 Flint Hills ranchers met in Emporia to discuss cattle theft problems and unreasonable railroad freight rates. Today, KLA represents the state's multi-billion dollar cattle industry at both the state and federal levels. KLA members are involved in all segments of the livestock industry including cow-calf, feedlot, swine, dairy and sheep. Dues paid by the membership fund legislative, educational and communications activities. The Kansas Livestock Foundation is a charitable arm of KLA. Online contributions to the Kansas Livestock Foundation for the Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund, may be made at the following website, http://www.kla.org/donationform.aspx. More information about KLA is available at www.kla.org.
