Funds To Help With Organic Certification for Producers
USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2021 – Organic producers and handlers can now apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) are due Nov. 1, 2021.
“USDA is here to help all producers, including those who grow our nation’s organic food and fiber. Many farmers have told us that cost was a barrier to their ability to get an organic certification,” said Zach Ducheneaux, administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “By assisting with the costs, this program can help organic farmers get their certification along with the benefits that come with it.”
OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during the 2021 and any subsequent program year. Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.
For 2021, OCCSP will reimburse 50% of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $500 for each of the following categories (or “scopes”):
· crops
· wild crops
· livestock
· processing/handling
· State organic program fees.
Organic farmers and ranchers may apply through an FSA county office or a participating state agency.
This funding will be complemented by an additional $20 million for organic and transitioning producers through the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. More information on that funding will be available in the coming weeks.
More Information
To learn more about organic certification cost share, please visit the OCCSP webpage, visit usda.gov/organic, or contact your local USDA Service Center.
In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit http://www.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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Obituary of Agnes Armstrong
Agnes Laureta Workman Armstrong, age 95, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.
She was born October 23, 1925, in Garland, Kansas, the daughter of Ivan Lee Workman and Elva Palmer Workman.
She was a member of the first Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) graduating class from Fort Scott Junior College. She subsequently passed the State Boards and worked for Mercy Hospital for seventeen years.
She was a member of the Eastern Star at Hepler Chapter #427 for many years, then Hiattville Ideal Chapter #369 and finally Fort Scott Olive Chapter #13.
She was an avid bowler having bowled for forty years as a member of the O’Bryan Ranch team. She attended thirty-two state bowling tournaments and at age eighty, was awarded a trophy at the Salina, Kansas state tournament for being the oldest bowler in the competition.
She was a member of the Fort Scott Garden Club. Cooking was her favorite hobby, especially baking. Her baked pies were enjoyed by many. Noodles and gravy with mashed potatoes was also a favorite dish of family and friends.
Survivors include a son-in-law, Robert Finley of Walnut, Kansas, a daughter, Diana Fletcher and husband, David, of Ft. Scott, Kansas, two sons, Steve Armstrong and wife, Janet, of Fort Scott, Kansas and Stanley Armstrong and wife, Cindy, of Bridgeport, Texas. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Armstrong, a daughter, Virginia Finley, a grandson, Robert Finley II, her parents, a sister, Loleta Tracy, and three brothers, infant, David Leon Workman, William “Bill” Workman and Charles Workman and a daughter-in-law, Roberta Armstrong.
Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 21st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Hiattville Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Judy Renard
Judith Ann Renard, age 80, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, August 16, 2021, at Country Place Living in Ft. Scott. She was born September 20, 1940, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Russell and Edith Post Hammons. She attended Mapleton School as a young child, then graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1958 and later received her BS degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University in 1962. She married John Renard on May 17, 1964, in Mapleton, KS. John preceded her in death on December 20, 2019. After marriage she lived in Ellsworth, KS and was employed as the Ellsworth County Extension Agent. After a short stint in Newton, KS, John and Judy returned to make the family’s home in Fort Scott, KS in 1969. As a child, Judy always dreamed of being a shop keeper. While raising her children, she started her first downtown business, Calico Cottage, with a close friend, Bonnie Irby, in 1979. Following a fire that destroyed the Calico Cottage and John’s Main Street Shoe Repair Shop, Judy opened the Country Cupboard in 1980. For many years, this was a favorite stop for locals and the many tourists visiting Ft. Scott. She was extremely grateful for the many dedicated employees and customers throughout the years. Throughout her life, Judy was very active in 4-H and was recognized with her husband John for their lifetime leadership and volunteer roles. A strong supporter of Tri-Valley Development Services in its early years, she was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, a Founding Member of the Good Ol’ Days committee and participated in various local community organizations. Judy was dedicated to promoting Fort Scott downtown development and was recognized for her efforts by receiving the Lifetime Keystone Award in 2008. Her passion was everything K-State, especially football and basketball. She loved attending her kids, grandkids activities and all the local school sporting events. She also cherished attending family reunions and get-togethers. Judy was an active member of the First Christian Church and later attended the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Jim Renard and wife Melissa, Dallas, TX, Ron Renard and wife Geila, Marshall, MO, and Dave Renard, Mapleton, KS; a daughter DeeAnne Miller and husband Kevin, Ft. Scott, KS; a sister, Janice Camerlinck, Leonardville, KS; 4 grandchildren, Kellen Renard, Kevin Miller, Jr., Sara Todorovic and Patrick Coman; 3 great grandchildren, Vance Salazar, Lyric Coman and Violet Coman; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John, infant sister Sandra Hammons and her parents.
Rev. Dusty Drake and Rev. Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Friday, August 20th, at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to either the Bourbon County Fair or the Good Ol’ Days and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
FS City Starts Class Action Lawsuit Against Hulu and Netflix
The City of Fort Scott recently authorized a class action lawsuit, Fort Scott Versus Hulu and Netflix, for failing to pay a video franchise fee under KSA12-2022, according to a contingency agreement provided by the city. The document had no date on it, but agrees the law firm cover the expenses of the lawsuit and will receive 33% of any amounts recovered as their lawyer fees.
“No case has been filed, only hiring an attorney to move forward,” said Fort Scott City Attorney Bob Farmer.
Michael Fleming, with Kapke Willerth, LLC, a law firm from Lee’s Summit, MO, and former Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier signed the document.
Fleming is the attorney representing Fort Scott, he said in an email interview.
Fleming responded to the following questions:
What is the purpose of this lawsuit?
“To recover money owed by Netflix and Hulu for failing to pay the franchise fee in the past and to ensure that it is paid in the future.”
What benefit will it be to the people of Fort Scott?
“Pay for the use of public right of way and property easements within the city, offset city operating costs, and offset additional personal property taxes.”
Is there a timeline?
“Not yet. At some point, a judge will issue a scheduling order and pick a trial setting. Until then, the timeline remains up in the air.”
To view the document:
Updated FS Commission Agenda
The Fort Scott Commission agenda packet has been updated.
Items changed is the American Wrecking Service (Item C under Consent) amount – $81,675.00.
Added the invoice for Nuss & Farmer (Item G under Consent) amount – $1,825.50.
Added Old Business – Resolution No. 21-2021 – Sale of Lake Fort Scott Property Proceeds
Removed one item under Item B – Skitch’s Hauling – Hauling of Clay – New Business
Added Item G – Below Grade Restoration – Eagle Block Bldg
Removed Fire Department Update – Item J – under New Business
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 17
FSCC COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic Today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Angel Cushing Presents Info on EO 14008
The 30×30 Executive Order 14008 will be a topic of a presentation by Angel Cushing on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2021 at Ft. Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd, Ft Scott, KS, 6:30 p.m.
Ft. Scott Livestock Facebook page and Calf News Magazine have more information.
Submitted by Anne Dare, Sparky Schroeder and Deb Martin.
Obituary of Beverly J. Brind
Beverly Jean Brind age 78, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, August 15, 2021, at her home. She was born May 2, 1943, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of John Eugene Hurd and Flossie Eva Hall Hurd.
In earlier years, Beverly had worked at Mid-Western Distribution, Extrusions and Peerless.
She married Ed Brind on June 14, 1980. Following their marriage, they made their home for a short time in Ohio and later in Springfield, Missouri. While in Springfield, Beverly was employed as a secretary for a lumber yard.
Following Ed’s death on August, 17, 1997, Beverly returned to Ft. Scott where she was employed for a few years at Sekan Printing. She enjoyed fishing and dancing and in her younger years, water skiing. She loved working in her yard and tending her flowers, taking the occasional trip to the casino and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, Sherri Johnson, of Ft. Scott, Steve Johnson, of Salina, Kansas, Twila Russell, of Joplin, Missouri and Kelly Black also of Ft. Scott; a step-son, Eric Brind, of Springfield, Missouri and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren
. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Joseph Johnson, three brothers, Harold “Dutch” Hurd, Johnny Hurd and Willis “Doc” Hurd and a sister, Marilyn Fowler.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, August 19th at the Centerville Cemetery near Devon, Kansas.
Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery on Thursday at 10:15 A.M.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Lavina Giddens
Lavina Mae Giddens, age 91, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, August 13, 2021, at Girard Medical Center, Girard, KS. She was born December 17, 1929, in Hume, MO, the daughter of Joseph and Mabel Castlebury Standeford. She graduated from Ft. Scott High School. Lavina married Clinton Giddens March 7, 1950, in Eureka Springs, AR.
After many years as a housewife and mother Lavina started her second career as a file clerk with Western Insurance in Ft. Scott. She retired 19 years later as an underwriter. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, quilting, and gardening as well as the daily crossword puzzle.
Survivors include her children, April Giddens of Prairie Village KS, Randy Giddens and wife Teresa of Ft. Scott, KS and Peggy Farmer and husband Mark of Littleton, CO: five grandchildren, Michelle Call of Hutchinson, KS, Mandy Giddens of Pittsburg, KS, Laramie Giddens of Ft. Scott, KS, Morgan Farmer of Ogden, UT, and Natalie Farmer of Littleton CO; 6 great-grandchildren, Kenton Piatt Pittsburg, KS, Devin Madison, Pittsburg, KS, Eian, Jennica and Chase Call all of Nickerson, KS, and Langdon Giddens of Ft. Scott, KS; one great-great grandchild Garyk Piatt of Springfield, MO.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Giddens, eldest son, Michael Giddens, father, Joseph Standeford, and mother, Mabel Ricketts.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, August 20th, in the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott, KS. Lavina died of COVID-19.
To guard others from losing a loved one this way, and as a show of respect for Lavina, the family is asking that everyone attending her service wear a mask.
Memorials are suggested to Meals on Wheels and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.