In 2024, a local foundation was created to assist farmers when in a medical crisis.
The Agri-Med Crisis Foundation is a Bourbon County-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves eligible farmers and ranchers experiencing an unexpected medical crisis.
The third annual fundraiser event-called Hope Grows Here- is August 29 at Memorial Hall, located at 1 East Third Street, Fort Scott. The event starts at 6 p.m. with a cash bar and a professional boot shine station.
The $20 buffet meal follows, along with the raffle, recipient
introductions, and live auction.
Advance buffet meal purchase is encouraged to help with the meal count, according to a press release.
A limited number of meals may also be purchased at the door.
Advance meal purchases are available through the Facebook
event page or the Event page at agrimedcrisis.org.
The event is free to attend and open to all ages.
About the Foundation
Jim Meech Agri-Med Crisis Foundation, Inc. | D/B/A Agri-Med Crisis Foundation is an approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The foundation’s mission statement: We provide immediate gift assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers within the first 30 days of an unexpected medical crisis.
Recipient Eligibility Requirements
● Working Farmer or Rancher
Agri-Med gives aid to working farmers and ranchers. The person experiencing the unexpected medical crisis may be the primary farmer or rancher or a spouse who is actively involved in the
farming or ranching operation.
● Income Requirement — 50% of Income from Agriculture
At least 50% of the applicant’s income must come from farming or ranching. The applicant may be required to provide proof of income.
● Crisis Window — Crisis Within the Last 30 Days
The application or referral must be submitted within the first 30 days of the unexpected medical crisis.
Agri-Med currently serves farmers and ranchers in Bourbon, Linn, Anderson, Allen, Neosho, and Crawford counties in Kansas. Applications are not limited to these counties.
Agri-Med’s board will review all applications submitted.
Board of Directors
● Marita Meech, President
● JW Meech, Vice President
● Elizabeth Meech, Secretary
● Diana Yeager, Treasurer
● Angela Ragland, Board Member
Applications are available at agrimedcrisis.org under Refer a Farmer or Rancher. The application may be completed online or downloaded. Completed applications are reviewed by Agri-Med’s board.
Agri-Med is funded through individual donations, support from area businesses and organizations, and fundraising events such as the annual fundraiser.
A farmer or rancher may apply for themselves, or someone else may refer them. A spouse, family member, friend, neighbor, healthcare provider, agriculture organization, clergy, lender, Extension
agent, or another concerned person may begin the referral process.
Visit agrimedcrisis.org and select Refer a Farmer or Rancher. The application may be completed online or downloaded. Completed applications are reviewed by Agri-Med’s board.
How can someone donate or get involved?
Visit the Ways to Give page at https://agrimedcrisis.org/
Email [email protected]
Call 620.224.3313, or attend the fundraiser.
Agri-Med currently serves Bourbon, Linn, Anderson, Allen, Neosho, and Crawford counties in Kansas, but applications are not limited to those areas.
History
The following is from the organization’s website, written by Marita Meech.
“On November 20, 2018, an unexpected medical crisis changed our family and our farm overnight when it was discovered my husband, Jim Meech, had a massive brain tumor. Crops were still in the field, cattle needed to be brought home for the winter, and both of our children lived more than eight hours away. We needed help.
“After a nearly 12-hour surgery and weeks of waiting for pathology results, Jim was diagnosed with gliosarcoma, a terminal brain cancer. He passed away on September 2, 2019.
“While Jim and I were planning his funeral together, he told me he wanted the memorial donations used to ‘help the guys around here.’ At the time, I thought that meant helping a few local farmers and ranchers. I had no idea where that simple statement would eventually lead.
“I made two promises to Jim. The first was that the farm would continue. The second was to find a way to help farmers and ranchers. The kids and I kept that second promise by creating Agri-Med Crisis Foundation in June 2024.
“Agri-Med was not born in a boardroom. It grew from what our farm family lived through firsthand—the uncertainty, hard decisions, and chaos that can follow an unexpected medical crisis.
“Donors, businesses, volunteers, and communities make that work possible. Agri-Med helps ease immediate needs so farmers and ranchers have time to step back and take a deep breath during those first 30 days.
“What began as a promise to Jim became Agri-Med’s mission. We keep that promise, one farmer or rancher at a time.”
The Agri-Med Crisis Foundation was created in June 2024; in July 2024, the group had its first fundraiser.
“On October 1, 2024, we were able to gift/assist an area farmer,” Meech said. “To date, we have aided nine farmers and ranchers.”