The six Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and CoBank today announced their intent to donate $138,000 to the Kansas Livestock Foundation, to aid rebuilding efforts following the recent wildfires in South Central 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 used to provide assistance to ranchers affected by the wildfire, through the purchase of fencing supplies, feed and other critical items needed to recover, and rebuild 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 Southwest Kansas, Farm Credit of Western Kansas, Frontier Farm Credit, and High Plains Farm Credit for a total contribution of $138,000. The six 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 Anderson Creek fire is the largest wildfire in Kansas history. The fire started in Northern Oklahoma and quickly spread into South Central Kansas, burning nearly 400,000 acres, or roughly 620 square miles, along with hay reserves, fences, outbuildings and other personal property. At the same time, other fires burning in Reno and Harvey Counties caused considerable damage to fencing and grasslands as well.
“On behalf of the more than 15,000 customer-owners of Farm Credit throughout Kansas, we are pleased to join our friends and neighbors to support the rebuilding efforts after these devastating fires, said Greg Reno, senior vice president for American AgCredit. Farm Credit has been a part of rural Kansas for the past 100 years, and we hope our contribution will help families impacted by the wildfire preserve their legacy for the generations to come.”
“The recent wildfires throughout Kansas have had a devastating impact on the state’s agricultural industry,” said Alan Woodard, regional vice president, CoBank. “CoBank is proud to stand with our Farm Credit partners, in the best cooperative tradition, to support the industry and the people of Kansas and to aid in the recovery efforts.”
