Governor Laura Kelly wants to gain additional relief from the U. S. Department of Agriculture for Kansas farmers and ranchers affected by last month’s wildfires, including the 120,000-plus acre “four county fire” in Russell, Ellis, Osborne and Rooks Counties.
Governor shared her concern with the benefits and eligibility criteria of programs that would help with the relief efforts with AG Secretary, Tom Vilsack and encouraged him to revisit the payment rate of the Livestock Indemnity Program, to better mirror the value and cost to replace cattle killed in the fires and also to look at the Emergency Conservation Program and increase the rate of the Cost Share Agreement to adequately reflect the cost to replace fencing. The Governor suggested the Secretary empower the Regional and local representatives, who have direct knowledge of the cost and availability of fencing materials, to approve modifications for the program.
