Government

Ag Marketing Assistance Loans Extended

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USDA Announces Loan Maturity for Marketing Assistance Loans

Now Extended to 12 Months

Provides Producers with Marketing Flexibilities Amid COVID-19 Uncertainties

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2020 – Agricultural producers now have more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine, and this flexibility is available for most commodities.

“Spring is the season when most producers have the biggest need for capital, and many may have or are considering putting commodities under loan. Extending the commodity loan maturity affords farmers more time to market their commodity and repay their loan at a later time,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “We are extremely pleased that USDA can offer these marketing flexibilities at this critical time for the agriculture industry and the nation.”

Effective immediately, producers of eligible commodities now have up to 12 months to repay their commodity loans. The maturity extension applies to nonrecourse loans for crop years 2018, 2019 and 2020. Eligible open loans must in good standing with a maturity date of March 31, 2020, or later or new crop year (2019 or 2020) loans requested by September 30, 2020. All new loans requested by September 30, 2020, will have a maturity date 12 months following the date of approval.

The maturity extension for current, active loans will be automatically extended an additional 3 months. Loans that matured March 31 have already been automatically extended by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Producers who prefer a nine-month loan will need to contact their local FSA county office. Loans requested after September 30, 2020, will have a term of nine months.

Eligible commodities include barley, chickpeas (small and large), corn, cotton (upland and extra-long staple), dry peas, grain sorghum, honey, lentils, mohair, oats, peanuts, rice (long and medium grain), soybeans, unshorn pelts, wheat, wool (graded and nongraded); and other oilseeds, including canola, crambe, flaxseed, mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower, sunflower seed, and sesame seed. Seed cotton and sugar are not eligible.

About MALs

Placing commodities under loan provides producers interim financing to meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low and allows producers to store production for more orderly marketing of commodities throughout the year. 

These loans are considered nonrecourse because the commodity is pledged as loan collateral, and producers have the option of delivering the pledged collateral to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for repayment of the outstanding loan at maturity. 

MAL Repayment

Under the new maturity provisions, producers can still repay the loan as they would have before the extension:

  • repay the MAL on or before the maturity date;

 

  • upon maturity by delivering or forfeiting the commodity to CCC as loan repayment; or
  • after maturity and before CCC acquires the farm-stored commodity by repaying the outstanding MAL principle and interest.

Marketing Loan Gains

A Marketing Loan Gain occurs when a MAL is repaid at less than the loan principal. If market gain is applicable during the now-extended loan period, producers can receive a gain on the repayment made before the loan matures.

For more information on MALs, contact the nearest FSA county office. USDA Service Centers, including FSA county offices, are open for business by phone appointment only, and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Opinion

What Are You Doing for Easter? by Pastor Jimmy Tucker

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The Bottom Line by Pastor Jimmy Tucker

 

Celebrating the resurrection of Christ will not be the same as last year. If you’re like me, you’ll be secluded in your home, holed up against the corona virus. The traditional Resurrection Sunday can be observed in a very individual way. You may watch a service online and try to keep the traditions, or you can let all the traditions go and worship the risen Savior individually as the Holy Spirit leads you.

A childhood Easter tradition is the egg hunt which has to do with Easter baskets, candy, chocolate bunny rabbits, and colored eggs. This tradition is great fun, but has little to do with the true message of the Resurrection of Jesus.

What is the true message of the resurrection that we remember this time of year? “Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance” (John 20:1 NLT). Mary Magdalene was honored to be the first to see Jesus after His resurrection. It was announced to her, individually, and then Jesus Himself told her to go and tell the others. “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God’” (John 20:17 NLT). 

This is the true message of the resurrection for all of us. Go, and tell others the good news of Jesus: His Father is your Father and His God is your God — that Jesus is here and alive! This is the story that has changed the world. The wonderful story of Jesus and His love is still changing hearts on an individual basis.

What makes the resurrection of Jesus meaningful to you? Is it the sunrise service or the breakfast that follows? Is it the squeals of delight as your toddler finds another plastic egg filled with candy? Is it the message from your pastor or singing in the church cantata that you’ve rehearsed for weeks? Maybe it’s none of these things. Maybe they all leave your heart dry and unchanged.

I suggest getting alone with your Bible and reading the beautiful story again, meditating on the eternal truth of Jesus’ resurrection and His love for you. Let it soften and change your heart. He will not disappoint you, but will meet you where you are.

The story of Jesus did not end with the crucifixion. Praise God! His story is still being written as He works in the lives of those who believe. He arose from the dead to give us hope for the resurrection unto eternal life. He wants the whole world to know about it. He wants to live in each of us and change us from the inside out.

Bottom line: Don’t let traditions take the place of the individual life-changing message of our risen Lord and Savior.

Pastor Jimmy Tucker

(620) 223-1483

Diamond Community Church

Opinion

Dead or Alive By Pastor James Collins

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“ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Preston asked, “Did you know that sometimes dead bodies will move?” I answered his question with a question when I said, “What are you talking about?” My friend Preston, who is a funeral director, said, “Sometimes bodies will have muscle contractions after they are dead. Sometimes a hand will quiver. Sometimes a face will twitch. Sometimes an eye might even blink.”

Over the years, I have been around a lot of dead bodies. In my ministry, I have been with people as they took their final breaths and I have preached hundreds of funerals. I have seen a lot of dead bodies, but I have never seen one move. So, I looked at Preston with a look of doubt.

Preston said, “Once, I was preparing a body, and I had to reach down under the table to get something. When I bent over, the hand of the dead man fell on my shoulder.” “Be honest with me, what did you do?” I asked. “I screamed my lungs out.” I said, “If that would have happened to me, there would have been two dead bodies!”

Even though a dead body may still twitch and move, dead bodies don’t come back to life. However, I have a personal relationship with a dead body that came back to life. The Lord Jesus Christ came back from the dead. Jesus is not shut up in a hole. He is sitting up in Heaven. Jesus is not rotting in a tomb. He is reigning on a throne. Jesus is not wearing grave clothes. He is robed in King’s Clothes. Jesus is alive.

This Sunday is Easter. I prefer to call it “Resurrection Sunday” because the resurrection is a vital component of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that the Gospel has three parts. First, Jesus Christ died on the cross for sinners. Second, He was buried. Third, He was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures. The true Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and when you rest your faith in the Gospel – in the Person and work of Jesus Christ – you experience a new birth and have a personal relationship with a Holy God.

The point is: The resurrection of Jesus Christ sets Christianity apart from all the world religions. Other religious leaders died, but only One came back from the grave and is alive forevermore. There is no other religious leader in history who was killed, who was buried, who rose from the dead and left behind an empty tomb. Not one. Confucius, Buddha, Muhammad, Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, L. Ron Hubbard, Ellen G. White – none of them ever died, was buried, and rose from the dead. A dead man can save no one. Salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ is the only way.

Jesus is alive.

Do you personally know and boldly proclaim the living Savior?

Do you know my Jesus?

Get to know Him. Your eternal life depends on it.

James Collins is the senior pastor of First Southern Baptist Church where “Drive-In Church” will be held this Sunday. Find out more information at www.fortscottfsbc.com.

Church news, Fort Scott

First Southern Baptist Has Drive-In Church

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Pastor James Collins preaches outdoors on Psalm Sunday at his church.

First Southern Baptist Church turned parking lots into pews last Sunday with “Drive-In” Church.

People were able to maintain social distancing by staying in their cars and listening to the service on 88.7 FM.

“Drive-In” Church will be held again this Sunday at First Southern starting at 11 am.

The church is located at 1818 South Main. Pastor James Collins will be preaching a Resurrection message from the Sixteenth Chapter of Mark.

Church news

Sunday’s Community Service Changes to Easter at Home Experience Due to Weather Forecast

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Due to forecasted weather and the advice from our county officials, the Easter Drive-In Experience is now changing to the Easter at Home Experience. The service will be broadcasted on 103.9 FM and live via all our usual online channels (Church Online, Facebook, & Youtube). The service will begin at 10 am, please stay at home and we encourage you to find something your family can use for communion elements. We look forward to worshipping with you, the community, multiple churches – all with one purpose.

We are saddened to have to make this change, but we want to provide a great Easter Celebration and maintain everyone’s safety. Our disappointments are swallowed up by our excitement to celebrate the resurrection with you and the other churches! We are glad to still be able to do this Sunday service with them all.
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What: Easter ONLINE Experience – Multiple Churches, One Purpose.
Where: Wherever YOU are…your couch, kitchen, big screen TV, or on a walk.
How: Live Stream on Facebook via Community Christian, Faith Church, Fort Scott Nazarene, & Parkway Pages.
When: April 12 (Easter Sunday) at 10 am.
Why: Cause the resurrection changes everything.

He is RISEN! (He is RISEN indeed!!)

-Submitted by Clayton Whitson,  Faith Church.

Area News

American Legion Impact Report

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The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The following monthly reports provide a summary of membership, participation and volunteerism making an impact in the lives of veterans, families and communities.

American Legion Posts can share the many ways Legionnaires are making a difference in their communities.  To view the impact American Legion posts made throughout the year, please read the attached March 2020 membership impact report.

March_Impact_Report

Please keep me posted as to any area Veterans who may be in need during these shut downs and business closures.

Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

Government, Kansas

COVID relief: Speeding CDBG loans

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COVID relief: Speeding Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) loans

Topeka, Kan. – In an effort to speed relief funds in the face of the current public health emergency, the Department of Commerce is providing guidance on how CDBG funds, which are already in Kansas communities, can be loaned to area businesses more quickly.

Under certain circumstances these funds can be made available via local governments in just 24 hours.

“Local communities have a better understanding of the immediate needs in each of their communities,” Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “The state stands ready to support them in making these funds available to communities across Kansas.”

There is currently about $6 million in CDBG funds that resides in communities statewide as local Revolving Loan Funds.  The funds are administered by cities, counties and economic development organizations.  Under normal circumstances when a community wants to issue a business loan, Commerce must conduct an environmental review that takes 30 days.  The communities also must do public notice, which can also take 30 days.

If a revolving loan is for working capital, then environmental review is not applicable, and the public notice can be reduced to 24 hours. This allows communities to issue a loan in two days and not involve the Department of Commerce. This will speed the delivery of these funds to businesses that need it now.

Local communities are also empowered to make decisions on matching funds, collateral and interest rates, as well.

Secretary of Commerce David Toland will hold a conference call with CDBG communities Friday, March 20, 2 p.m., to promote the use of these funds to help ease the burdens of the coronavirus crisis.

For more information on Community Development Block Grants, visit: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/programs-services/community-development/community-development-block-grant-program/.

 

 

Bourbon County, Schools

USD 235 Starts First Week of Off-Campus Learning

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USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard. File photo.

USD 235 has started teaching its students off-campus, following the closure of the county’s schools due to the pandemic.

 

The District Continuous Learning Plan officially started on Monday, April 6 and will run through Tuesday, May 19.

 

“It is not online learning,” Bret Howard, superintendent, said. ” This is a Continuous Learning Plan created as a response to unprecedented times.  I think this is a very important distinction to make.  Uniontown USD 235 is providing continuous learning opportunities for all students regardless of whether they have the internet or not.”

 

“We are all in unknown territory and Uniontown USD 235 wants everyone to know that we need to work together and communicate to have a successful conclusion to this school year,” Howard said.

 

“I am thankful for our teachers who are working extremely hard to meet the needs of our students,” he said.

 

“This is an amazing opportunity for the Eagle family to grow, support one another, and have compassion for all people.”

 

“We know this pandemic has caused stress to students, families, and our communities.  Uniontown USD 235 will do everything in our power to make this a positive time for children and families.”

 

“We thank everyone for working to be true partners in education,” Howard said.

 

Howard answered the following questions via email:

 

 

What preparation did the teachers make?  How did they decide the curriculum?

 

“Professional development for the district’s Continuous Learning Plan began the week of March 30 with an introduction, evaluation, and revision of the proposed plan to be presented to the Board of Education.  Teachers engaged in a series of activities for the communication platforms they will use.  The district’s behavioral health therapist through Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center introduced and provided Social Emotional Learning resources for teachers, students, and families.  As grade level and content area teams, teachers identified untaught essential outcomes and planned meaningful and engaging ways to deliver the material to students.”

 

 

Do they teach from home or their schoolroom?

 

“The large majority of our teachers are teaching from home.  Our teachers are not required or expected to physically be present at West Bourbon Elementary or Uniontown JH/HS.  Some of our teachers have chosen to come to the school and do their Zoom Webinar meetings for their students.  Some do so out of convenience and some out of necessity due to internet service and reliability at their homes.  Right now we only have roughly 4-5 teachers in our buildings on any given day.  We also have some paraprofessionals that work for the Special Education Interlocal coming to our buildings as well.  They do so for the same reasons.”

 

In addition to teaching staff, others are working at the school.

“Several members of our food service staff are working multiple days a week to be able to provide meals for approximately 150 people ages 1 through 18.”

 

“Our custodial staff is working to clean rooms and areas used by our essential staff and employees who are coming into the buildings.”

 

“Our technology staff works from the buildings several days per week as well as our administration and administrative assistants.”

 

“We are very thankful for all of the hard work put in by so many of our employees.”

 

 

What about those who didn’t have computers, smartphones,etc?

 

“Uniontown USD 235 is a 1:1 district for laptops, Chromebooks, and IPads.  All HS (Grades 9-12) students already had a laptop computer that they could take home daily.  All students in grades 4-8 had Chromebooks they used at school and students in grades PK-3 had IPads.  If their parents requested a device through our parent survey, students in grades PK-3 were issued an IPad and students in grades 4-8 were issued a Chromebook.  We asked a parent/guardian to sign a technology usage agreement before picking up the device. ”

 

 

 

How will the students be graded? How will this last bit of teaching affect their final grade?

 

“We have asked our teachers to have patience, flexibility, and grace during these unprecedented times.  However, we do expect all of our students to participate in our Continuous Learning Plan either through the use of technology or through enrichment activities delivered to them via packets through US Mail or if they are participating in our food program they can be delivered to them through that avenue as well.  If students do not participate in the Continuous Learning Plan, it will have a detrimental impact on their final grade.”

Government, Kansas

State Conservation Commission Call Scheduled for April 15

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MANHATTAN, Kan. —    The State Conservation Commission will hold a conference call on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. This conference call is open to the public.

 

The State Conservation Commission consists of five elected commissioners; two ex officio members representing the Kansas State University Agriculture Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service; and two appointed members representing the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 

The KDA Division of Conservation consults with the SCC to protect and enhance Kansas’ natural resources through the development, implementation and maintenance of policies, guidelines and programs designed to assist local governments and individuals in conserving the state’s renewable resources.

 

To request a copy of the agenda or directions on how to participate in the conference call, please contact the KDA Division of Conservation at 785-564-6620  or [email protected].

 
Government, Kansas

KDWPT Suspends Non-resident Turkey Hunting Permits

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Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to Suspend Sales of Nonresident Turkey Permits

 

PRATT – In an effort to protect the health of Kansans and prevent the spread of COVID-19, Governor Laura Kelly, with the support of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), is suspending sales of general nonresident turkey permits effective immediately. The suspension is made possible via Executive Order No. 20-21, signed on April 9, 2020 by Governor Kelly.

 

“During this unprecedented crisis, we must take every measure possible to protect Kansas lives,” Kelly said. “While turkey hunting is largely a solitary activity, the potential for inadvertent spread of COVID-19 due to travel associated with nonresident participation is something we simply cannot risk. Secretary Brad Loveless and his staff have done a tremendous job maintaining safe spaces for us all to enjoy, and I’m confident they’ll continue their good work as we encourage everyone to enjoy recreational activities locally this spring.”

 

“We’ve received a tremendous amount of feedback from concerned individuals and at the end of the day, we want to do what’s right by our fellow Kansans,” Loveless said. “Initially, this issue seemed self-limiting as nonresident permit sales lagged behind last year’s sales year-to-date. However, recently, as opportunities in other states began to diminish, nonresident demand increased at a rate we are no longer comfortable with.”

 

Nonresident hunters who made their spring turkey purchase prior to the order’s effective date may still participate in Kansas’ spring turkey season; however, because Kansas’ regular turkey season has yet to open (April 15, 2020), only a small percentage of the nonresident permits normally purchased have been sold. KDWPT is offering refunds and KDWPT gift cards in an effort to lower participation rates even further. Nonresident hunters may obtain a refund or KDWPT gift card by sending an email request to [email protected].

 

“There’s no doubt this will come as a disappointment to many of our out-of-state hunters and outfitters, and rightfully so. Kansas’ spring turkey season is something a lot of us look forward to,” Loveless said. “But I’m also confident many of these same individuals will understand and join us in ‘recreating locally’ this year until we can once again travel without fear of spreading COVID-19.”

 

For other KDWPT updates, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/COVID-19.

 

Bourbon County Local News