FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Imagine a life where every minute counts. One moment, you’re out in the field, and the next, your world is turned upside down. As Marita Meech, founder of the Agri-Med Crisis Foundation, puts it: “A farmer or rancher can be fine one day and the next day be facing an unexpected medical crisis, but the farm and ranch still have to keep going.” Cattle still need to be fed, crops won’t wait for a recovery, and the work simply doesn’t stop. To meet this need, the Agri-Med Crisis Foundation gives immediate aid to agricultural producers within the first 30 days of an unexpected medical crisis.
The foundation was created in June 2024 by Marita Meech and her children to keep a promise made to her late husband, Jim. Since its inception, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit has already provided gift assistance to ten recipients, fulfilling Jim’s wish to use his memorial to support the farming community.
The foundation focuses on that critical first month when families are often just “treading water” and trying to figure out their next steps. To help them keep their heads above water, “Agri-Med provides gift assistance to help take a little of that immediate financial pressure off.” It’s about more than just money; it’s about giving a family the room to take a breath and realize that they aren’t facing the storm alone.
To ensure funds remain available for future crises, Agri-Med is hosting its third annual fundraiser, “Hope Grows Here,” this Saturday, August 29th, at Memorial Hall in Fort Scott, Kansas. The event is free to attend and open to all ages.
The evening includes:
- Social Hour & Boot Shine: Doors open at 6:00 p.m. featuring a professional boot shine station.
- Buffet Meal: A $20 meal starting at 7:00 p.m. (pre-purchase by August 25).
- Live Auction & Raffle: Starting around 8:00 p.m., featuring items such as big round bales, breeding bull vouchers, soybean seed, tractor tire repair, and handmade quilts.
- Recipient Stories: An opportunity to hear from the individuals the foundation has helped.
If you know a farmer or rancher facing a medical crisis, you can help by visiting agrimedcrisis.org and clicking the “Refer a Farmer” link. Applications can be submitted online or printed and mailed. The board reviews every nomination to determine eligibility for gift assistance.
For those who wish to support the mission, you can attend the fundraiser, donate through the website, or follow Agri-Med Crisis Foundation on social media for the latest updates on how your contributions are helping keep families on the land.
To hear Marita Meech’s full interview, visit the Podcasts Page at adastraradio.com.
