WICHITA, KANSAS – (April 6, 2016) 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.”
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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 six Farm Credit Associations of Kansas are: Farm Credit of Western Kansas, Farm Credit of Southwest 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 $117 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.