Pub 10 2021 Issue 2

18 T he 2021 Kansas Ag Bankers Conference was held virtually March 3-4, with over 200 bankers in attendance. KAB President Tim Smith, First State Bank, Plainville, opened the conference with comments and introductions. KBA chairman Jonathon Johnson also made a few remarks to conference attendees. The first presenter, Dr. David Kohl, shared how the sudden impact and lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have created accelerated changes. It also has created economic and financial ripples that will be felt for years to come by many business models in agriculture. The 2020s will be the decade of economic divide that will test agricultural lending’s art and science. He also explained how a management mindset would be a critical element for success for agriculture in the next decade. The pandemic has shaped disruptions in markets, consumer trends and how one navigates everyday life. While some will equate the disruption as negative, others will view it as an opportunity. This pandemic has added rocket fuel to change in business and society. In farm and ranch business management, teamwork with family members is critical for success. The next presenter was Mike Beam, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture. Mike shared howThe Cares Act Funding expanded the capacity of that state’s food supply system. These grants allowed local food and agriculture businesses to expand their capacity to respond to their communities’ food supply needs. “Local businesses are critical to providing food to Kansans, and that need was made clear,” Beam said. Aaron Popelka, Vice President of Legal and Governmental Affairs at Kansas Livestock Association, then gave an overview of HB 2204. This bill is intended to protect consumers from deceptive label practices by requiring disclaimers for plant-based foods. ABA’s Senior Vice President of Agricultural & Rural Banking Policy Ed Elfman and KBA President & CEO Doug Wareham provided a campfire chat on federal ag and rural banking policy. Taking center stage was Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America (ECORA) tax equity legislation. This looks to gain traction this year after 2021 Kansas Ag Bankers Conference Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech Lee Friesen, Special Products Sales Manager, Diversified Crop Insurance Services Shan Hanes, CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President of Agricultural & Rural Banking Policy, ABA Tim Ohlde, CEO, Country Banker Systems LLC Kelsey Olson, Deputy Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture Michael Fielding, Partner, Husch Blackwell Doug Johnson, Ag Strategist, Moody’s Analytics Mike Jackson, VP & Loan Officer, Ford County State Bank John Jilovec, Deputy Regional Director, FDIC Damian Mason, Producer & Author, The Business of Agriculture Randy Blach, CEO, CattleFax Paul Mussman, President, AgWest Eric Snodgrass, Atmospheric Scientist, Nutrien Ag Solutions