Pub. 9 2020 Issue 2

March/April 2020 21 l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s Next up was a riveting presentation by Green Beret Commander Mark Nutsch, titled “12 Strong: An Extraordinary Mission of Commitment, Purpose, Heroism and Hope.” Captain Nutsch is a native of Washington County, Kansas and was the subject of the 2018 blockbuster movie, “12 Strong.” The first day wrapped up with an evening reception and tradeshow. This year was a record breaker with 21 sponsors and 17 exhibitor booths. Thanks to the following sponsors: Diamond - Silveus Insurance, Farmer Mac Group; Platinum — Country Banker, Security 1st Title, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas; Gold — Bankers Healthcare Group, Ag Risk Solutions, INTRUST Bank, Schools of Banking, Farmhold, First National Bank of Hutchinson, 502; Silver — Kansas Soybean Commission, Iron Comps by Tractor Zoom, BigIron Auctions, Kansas Corn, Cargill Marketguide, Graduate School of Banking-Colorado, KBA Insurance, Fort Hays State University-Robbins Institute, Purple Wave Auction. Day two started with Darrell Holaday, Advanced Market Concepts and Randy Blach, CattleFax, as they navigated the group through the market maze and provided the cattle market update. The annual meeting was led by KAB President Elsa Havel, Grant County Bank, Ulysses. The Pioneer Awards were presented to Tom McGavran, The Citizens State Bank & Trust, Minneapolis as well as Bill Neier and Frank York, with Stockgrowers State Bank, Ashland. This award was established to highlight the important role of today’s agricultural lender by annually recognizing a banker that exemplifies the best in agricultural lending by continually bringing credit to his/her profession and the entire agricultural banking community. Following the nominating process, Tim Smith, First State Bank in Plainville, was inducted in as the new KBA Kansas Ag Bankers Division President. Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, Professor Emeritis, Kansas State University, closed this year’s conference with his session, “Washington Upate: Looking Ahead.” Dr. Flinchbaugh, with his vast knowledge and experience in agriculture, economics, and politics, provided a straightforward and entertaining discussion on trade, immigration, labor shortages, climate change, the farm bill, food assistance, declining rural communities and more. The next Kansas Ag Bankers Conference will be on March 3-4, 2021, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, Kansas. Dr. David Kohl kicks off this year’s conference with his session,“Managing Expectations.” Students at Fort Hays State University’s Robbins Banking Institute attend day one of the conference. Newly elected KAB President Tim Smith (First State Bank, Plainville) thanks this year’s attendees for a successful conference. Doug Simon (KansasLand Bank, Quinter) talks withWilliam Ohlde (Country Banker, Clyde) about their available products. KAB President Elsa Havel (Grant County Bank, Ulysses) welcomes the group to this year’s annual event. KBA President & CEO DougWareham discusses the guest column in The Kansas Banker Magazine written by US Senator Jerry Moran promoting the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America (ECORA) Act.