Welcome to High Plains Farm Credit Newsletter | Vol. 26, No. 3, December 2025
Q4 Photo Contest Submission
The Right Choice in Ag Lending.
“Sunset on the Kansas Prairie” Submitted By: Laurie Josefiak Location: Rozel, Kansas
WELCOME TO THE PLAINS
Inside This Issue
Q1 Photo Contest Submission “A Long Cool Drink” Submitted By: Lauren Fischer Location: Ford County, Kansas
Vol. 26, No. 3, December 2025 Insights 3 President’s Fraud Grinches may try to ruin your Christmas and your farm finances... but you don’t have to let it happen! Follow these tips to stay safe.
Rural America 4 Supporting Part of the cooperative mission is giving back to our communities. Learn how HPFC gets involved.
YEAR-END INTEREST CREDIT OPTIONS If you have an installment payment due January 1, 2026, and have funds in either the Installment Fund or Trust Fund, you have the option to apply those funds to the payment early to receive interest credit in 2025. If this applies to you, you will receive a courtesy letter in the mail with more details. Please sign the bottom of the letter indicating your choice to either apply the funds for interest credit in 2025 or allow them to automatically be applied to the payment in 2026. Then return the letter to your local office by December 26, 2025. If you do not receive a letter and believe you should have, please contact your local office to confirm your year-end interest credit options. Another option is to pay year-end accrued interest. If you wish to pay interest through year-end, please give us a call and we will be happy to calculate your accrual to the end of the year. Our final deadline for ALL deposits is 11:00 am CT on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
the Fields of Kansas 6 From HPFC staff and directors headed to
Washington, D.C. for the biennial Farm Credit Fly-In. Discover their priorities and learn about the story our customer shared while on Capitol Hill.
Reminders 8 Important From the nominating committee to our scholarships, catch up on essential deadlines.
the Plains 9 Picture You captured Kansas beauty in
2025 and it didn’t disappoint. See this year’s winning photos and get a peek at the calendar!
Insurance 11 Crop 2026 is almost here! Make sure
your crop insurance policy is ready and your calendar is marked.
on Instagram Follow Us Today For: Industry News| Stockholder Announcements | Community Involvement
@highplainsfarmcredit 2 HighPlainsFarmCredit.com
PRESIDENT’S INSIGHTS
President’s Insights
KEEP THE GRINCH OUT OF YOUR FARM FINANCES
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RAUD IS NOT JUST A BIG-CITY PROBLEM – IT IS HITTING rural America hard, and Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses are not immune. Criminals are targeting mailed checks, stealing them from mailboxes or USPS drop boxes, then “washing” or digitally altering them for thousands more than intended. This is a growing risk for our stockholders because many agriculture businesses still rely heavily on paper checks or operating loan drafts. Why Checks Are Vulnerable Checks contain your name, address, and bank account details—everything a fraudster needs. Once a check leaves your hands, control is gone. Federal rules require banks to make funds available quickly, often before fraud is detected, giving criminals time to disappear with your money. Time To Go Digital Electronic payments—whether through ACH transfers or online banking—are dramatically safer. Digital transactions use encryption, tokenization, and multi-factor authentication, making them far harder to intercept or alter than paper checks. They also offer speed and convenience: funds move faster, and you can monitor accounts in real time. In 2026, High Plains will introduce additional digital tools to help safeguard your finances including disbursement card
access to your operating notes and artificial intelligence monitoring tools that can detect fraudulent checks and ACHs. Practical Steps to Protect Your Operation 1. Reduce Check Usage: Whenever possible, pay vendors electronically or by credit card. Consider disbursement cards for farm expenses. 2. Secure Your Mail: If you must mail checks, drop them at the post office—not in roadside boxes—and never leave outgoing mail overnight. 3. Monitor Accounts Daily: Use online banking and set up transaction alerts. Quick detection is key to stopping fraud. 4. Verify Payment Requests: If a vendor emails new banking instructions, call them using a known number before sending money to verify. Always utilize your contact information, not the contact information in the vendor email. 5. Use Positive Pay: Ask your loan officer about this service, which matches issued checks against those presented for payment. 6. Educate Your Team: Make sure employees know the signs of phishing and social
engineering scams. 7. Immediate Notification: If you suspect fraud, contact your financial institution immediately. Kevin Swayne Quick and President timely communication can increase your chances of recovering funds. Fraudsters are getting smarter, but so can we. Moving away from paper checks and embracing secure digital tools is one of the best ways to protect your hard-earned money—and keep your operation running smoothly. As 2025 comes to a close, we are deeply thankful for the trust you place in High Plains Farm Credit and the privilege of serving our rural communities. From all of us at High Plains Farm Credit, may your Christmas be filled with joy, warmth, and blessings. We look forward to partnering with you in 2026 to help your operation thrive. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Kevin
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Agricultural Organizations All American Beef Battalion American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers
Kansas Grain & Feed Association Kansas Junior Rodeo Association
Dodge City Roundup
Kansas Livestock Association
Ellis County Fair Ellis County Rodeo Pageant
Kansas Sorghum Producers Association
Ellis Junior Free Fair
Kansas Soybean Association
Ford County Fair
Kansas Wheat Commission
Hodgeman County Fair
Kids Ag Day
Hodgeman County Farm Bureau
McCracken Rodeo
Jetmore Saddle Club
Phillips County Fair Association
Kansas Agriculture & Rural Leadership
Photo By: The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce
Pawnee County Fair
Phillips County KLA
Kansas Auctioneers Association
Pratt County Fair Association
Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo
Rooks County KLA
Kansas Cattlemen’s Association
Russell County Kickoff
Kansas Corn Growers Association
Sheridan County Fair
Our Mission Includes...
Rooks County Free Fair
SUPPORT FOR
Russell Livestock Auction Winter Livestock
Future Farmers of America
Education
Bucklin FFA
Kansas FFA Foundation
Pretty Prairie FFA
Ellis High School
Buhler FFA
Kingman FFA
Quinter FFA
Fort Hays State Rodeo
Central Plains FFA
Kiowa County FFA
Russell FFA
Fort Hays State University
Chaparral FFA
La Crosse FFA
Scott City FFA
Hays High School
Cimarron FFA
Lakeside FFA
Skyline FFA
Larned Sports Booster Club
Cunningham FFA
Larned FFA
Smith Center FFA
Macksville Prom
Dighton FFA
Little River FFA
South Barber FFA
Minneola High School
Dodge City FFA
Logan FFA
South Central FFA
NCK Technical College
Ellinwood FFA
Medicine Lodge FFA
Stafford FFA
Ness City High School
Ellis FFA
Natoma FFA
Stockton FFA
Northern Valley School
Fairfield FFA
Ness City FFA
Sylvan-Lucas FFA
Pawnee Heights After-Prom
Great Bend FFA
Northern Valley FFA
TMP-Marian FFA
Phillipsburg High School
Haven FFA
Norton FFA
Thunder Ridge FFA
Pratt After-Prom
Hays FFA
Osborne County FFA
Victoria FFA
Skyline School Project-Prom
Hill City FFA
Palco FFA
WaKeeney/Trego FFA
TMP-Marian High School
Hodgeman County FFA
Phillipsburg FFA
Western Plains FFA
Western Plains Post-Prom
Hoxie FFA
Plainville FFA
Wilson FFA
West Kingman County Education
Pratt FFA 4 HighPlainsFarmCredit.com
Wheatland High School
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Contact Your HPFC Office for consideration of support for your organization.
4-H Barber County 4-H
Ness County 4-H
Barton County 4-H
Norton County 4-H
Comanche County 4-H
Osborne County 4-H
Edwards County 4-H
Pawnee County 4-H
Ellis County 4-H
Phillips County 4-H
Ford County 4-H
Pratt County 4-H
Gove County 4-H
Rooks County 4-H
Graham County 4-H
Rush County 4-H
Harper County 4-H
Russell County 4-H
Hodgeman County 4-H
Sheridan County 4-H
Kingman County 4-H
Smith County 4-H
Kiowa County 4-H
Stafford County 4-H
Lane County 4-H
Trego County 4-H
Meade County 4-H
RURAL AMERICA.
Charitable Organizations Bazine American Legion Post
Manna House
Cancer Council of
Ness County Food Bank
Ellis County
Osborne County Community Foundation
Care Closet Ellis County Big Brothers Big Sisters First Call for Help
Meals on Wheels
Pawnee County Food Pantry Pawnee County Humane Society
Heartland Community Foundation
Pheasants Forever
Kansas American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Ronald McDonald House
Kansas CASA Larned Noon Lion’s Club
Pilot International Rozel Lions Club Saint Joseph’s Food Pantry Sheridan County Community Foundation
Community Organizations Brownell Labor Day Committee
Larned Civic Pride
Butts Up BBQ
Pawnee County Conservation
Grow Hays
Ness County Conservation
Hodgeman County Conservation
Pawnee County Extension
Kansas Cooperative Council
Rozel Volunteer Fire
Kiwanis Club of Hays
Santa Fe Trail Center
Pratt County Extension
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2025 FARM CREDIT FLY-IN
FROM THE FIELDS OF KANSAS TO CAPITOL HILL
The 2025 Farm Credit Fly-In By: Jared Bauck, VP - Marketing
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ARLY IN NOVEMBER, MEMBERS OF THE HIGH PLAINS FARM CREDIT team joined over 800 other Farm Credit representatives at the 2025 Farm Credit Fly-In held in Washington, D.C. This is a biennial event hosted by the Farm Credit Council in which Farm Credit staff, directors, and customers take to Capitol Hill to advocate for farmers, ranchers, and rural America. 6 HighPlainsFarmCredit.com
This year, our primary discussion centered around passing a strong Farm Bill 2.0. for our farmers and ranchers. The farm bill is a package of legislation that has a tremendous impact on the livelihoods of those in agriculture. The bill connects the food on our tables, the farmers and ranchers who produce that food, and the resources needed to grow it. You do not have to be a farmer for the farm bill to affect your life. It is important that our lawmakers
are educated on the key issues farmers and ranchers face across rural America. The conversations this year were even more meaningful with one of our customers, Simon Miller, joining us to share his story. It is always more impactful for our lawmakers to hear directly from our producers. Simon did an outstanding job of discussing the successes and challenges he is seeing in the industry, and how a farm bill and
other legislation could be of benefit. I’m thankful that Simon took time away from his family and operation to be there with us. We enjoyed meeting with our Kansas lawmakers to discuss the farm bill and other key pieces of legislation with them. The Fly-In concluded with an event that everyone looks forward to: The Farm Credit Marketplace Reception. Farm Credit customers display their products, providing lawmakers and staff a firsthand view of the importance of agriculture. We proudly featured well-known Hudson Cream Flour (Stafford County Flour Mills), made in Hudson, Kansas. Simon and his family help provide the wheat that goes into making this flour. If you have a story to share about agriculture and your operation, please do not hesitate to let us know. We frequently meet with our lawmakers to advance legislative efforts that support agriculture and there is nothing more impactful than stories from our producers.
Miller Farm Enterprises is a family-
owned row crop farm, primarily growing wheat, corn, and some soybeans. As the third generation to manage the operation, the family’s focus is on building resilient, efficient, and productive cropland. With wheat production as the cornerstone, Miller Farm Enterprises implements a practical, sustainable approach to preserving the land and producing high-quality wheat to be milled into nationally distributed “Hudson Cream Flour.”
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IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Important Reminders
FOR CUSTOMER-STOCKHOLDERS NOMINATING COMMITTEE
H
IGH PLAINS FARM CREDIT CUSTOMER-STOCKHOLDERS help make our association The Right Choice in Ag Lending. Our cooperative structure with customer-stockholder governance is one of the unique benefits that separates HPFC from other lenders. Central to the cooperative structure is our board of directors and the nominating committee that assists in the candidate selection process. Voting stockholders have a unique role to play each year by electing new members to the board of directors and the nominating committee. Any borrowers owning voting stock can be candidates for the board of directors or the nominating committee.
2026 Nominating Committee
Serving on the Board of Directors Annually, the HPFC Nominating Committee selects director candidates for board elections. During the 2026 election, two director seats will be up for election. All stockholders will receive a letter in the mail that details the election process and open positions. If you’re a customer-stockholder interested in being considered for a seat on the board, scan the QR code below to complete the online application form. Also feel free to contact a current board member or any member of the 2026 nominating committee listed. Serving on the Nominating Committee The 2026 nominating committee also has the responsibility of nominating
Territory 1 John Blackwell, Joss Briggs, Rhonda Goddard, Jared Petersilie, and Chelsea Steffen
candidates for the 2027 committee. If you are a borrower eligible to own voting stock, you may also nominate yourself to be considered for a position on next year’s committee. Scan the QR code below to complete an application or contact a current committee member! Whether it’s running for a position as a director or joining the nominating committee to assist in finding candidates, we need your unique perspective to help High Plains Farm Credit continue serving rural America!
Territory 2
Jerod Horchem, Kirk Larson, Lindy McMillen, Diana Paris, and Brad Werner
Scan to apply online!
2026-2027 SCHOLARSHIPS
Supporting student success and the future of rural communities. Applications due to the Hays office by 5:00 pm on March 13, 2026!
How to Apply: Stop by your local office, email Shannon Schmidt (Shannon.Schmidt@HighPlainsFarmCredit.com), or visit us online to get started!
About the Scholarship
High Plains Farm Credit is proud to offer up to four $1,000 scholarships to college and university students for the 2026-2027 academic year. Scholarships are designated for children and grandchildren of HPFC stockholders planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational trade school. Students should exhibit leadership potential and initiative. Scholarships are renewable for one year if the student maintains a minimum GPA of 2.5 and is properly enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the next term. 8 HighPlainsFarmCredit.com
PICTURE THE PLAINS Q1
Q2
2026 CALENDAR PHOTO CONTEST Q3
Q4
QUARTERLY Q1 WINNER
“Icicles on the Grainery” Submitted By: Grant Pfannenstiel Location: South of Munjor, Kansas
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Q2 WINNER
“Boys of Summer” Submitted By: Holly Mettling Location: Graham County, Kansas
ROM FROSTY WINTER DAYS TO THE HEAT OF SUMMER HARVEST, Kansas is the most beautiful place to call home. And your pictures confirmed it. After another successful year of the HPFC Calendar Photo Contest, we’re excited to announce this year’s quarterly winners! Thank you to all who submitted
WINNERS Q3 WINNER
“Planting Time” Submitted By: Brenda Boese Location: North of Bazine, Kansas
photos and voted in our Facebook contest to decide the favorites. Check out the great work from our customer-photographers in the 2026 calendar… and stay tuned for exciting contest updates for next year. Start snapping away and send your best to Photos@HighPlainsFarmCredit.com!
Q4 WINNER
“Proud Mama” Submitted By: Shayla Blattner Location: Wright, Kansas
Scan for contest and entry details!
HighPlainsFarmCredit.com 9
ASSOCIATION NEWS
HPFC Happenings
ASSOCIATION NEWS NEW ADDITIONS Blakely Fleeta Vierthaler
Leo John Vajnar
Koleman Baker Appleton
Blakely Fleeta Vierthaler joined the HPFC family on July 23rd, weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and measuring 201/4 inches long. Blakely was welcomed by big brother Troyer, big sisters Whitley and Sutton, mom Lydia, and dad Mark! Lydia is a Credit Analyst in our Pratt office. Congratulations to the Vierthaler family!
Leo John Vajnar joined the HPFC family on October 25th, weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring 20 inches long. Leo was welcomed to the world by big sister May (2), and parents Haley and Conrad Vajnar. Conrad is a Staff Accountant in the Hays office. Congratulations to the Vajnar family!
Koleman Baker Appleton was born on November 13th, weighing in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Big brother Kayson, mom Kate, and dad Matt are excited to welcome their newest addition! Kate is the Human Resource Manager in our Larned office. Congratulations to the Appleton family!
Charles Robert Boyd
Vivian Kay Schuckman
EMPLOYEE PROMOTION Chelsea and Chris Boyd announced the birth of their son, Charles Robert Boyd, on November 14th, weighing in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces, and measuring 20.5 inches long. Sisters Charolette (9) and Catherine (5) welcomed their little brother home. Chelsea is the Vice President - Operations working out of our Pratt office. Congratulations to the Boyd family! 10 HighPlainsFarmCredit.com
Vivian Kay Schuckman joined the HPFC family on November 18th, weighing 9 pounds, 6 ounces. Vivian was welcomed by big brothers Sullivan (6) and Brooks (3). Kelton and MacKenzie are thrilled to welcome their third child. Kelton is an Appraiser for our appraisal team and works out of the Hays office. Congratulations to the Schuckman family on their newest addition!
Sarah Linenberger
Vice President - Lending Ness City Office
Thank you for your dedication to the HPFC team and customerstockholders!
CROP INSURANCE
Year-End Reminders
FROM CROP INSURANCE THREE STEPS TO PREPARE FOR 2026
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EW YEAR, NEW CROP INSURANCE POLICY. AS 2025 wraps up, it’s time to make sure your 2026 policy is in order and effective for the year ahead. The HPFC crop insurance team is hard at work booking 2026 wheat acres and you’ll receive your schedule of insurance soon. We appreciate your help in confirming its accuracy by following the steps below. Step 1: Carefully Review Your Schedule of Insurance When you receive your schedule of insurance, please review the forms thoroughly to ensure that all information is accurate. Report any errors or discrepancies as soon as possible to keep the claims process flowing smoothly. Sending in for corrections may slow claim time and some of these corrections
cannot be completed. When checking your schedule of insurance for accuracy, be sure that all wheat acres and shares shown on the forms match what you reported to the FSA Office. In the instance of a loss, the adjuster uses FSA certified acres to work the claim. If the FSA numbers do not match your schedule of insurance, you will be paid based on the acres shown on the certification. Step 2: Determine Short Rate Acreage The decision to short rate specific fields can save money by offering a reduced premium for acres destroyed prior to harvest. You have until March 15th to determine whether you will graze out any of your wheat. Any short rate acres should be included in your revised acres report.
After submitting this document, you will receive an updated schedule of insurance that reflects the reduced premium. However, it is important to note that short rate acres are not eligible for a claim. Please contact our team if you have any questions about this process or the best course of action for your specific operation. Step 3: Mark Your Calendar for March 15th The deadline to submit revised acres reports that include short rate acres is March 15, 2026. If the documents are not signed and received by the deadline, you will receive a zero on your production report for fields not harvested or reported. All production will be averaged with that field and will be considered “destroyed without consent.” This may also prevent a claim on other fields.
IMPORTANT DATES CONTACT THE TEAM! March 2026
March 15th: Short Rate Acres Reporting Due March 15th: Sales Closing for 2026 CORN, GSORG, SBEAN
July 2026
July15th: Acres Reporting for CORN, GSORG, SBEAN
Cory Johnson VP Crop Insurance O: 620-285-6978 C: 785-656-0124
September 2026
September 30th: Sales Closing for WHEAT
December 2026
December 1st: PRF Sales Closing December 15th: Acres Reporting for WHEAT
Paige Hrabe Crop Insurance Agent O: 785-625-2110 C: 785-259-2898
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High Plains Farm Credit P.O. Box 836 1100 E. 43rd St. Hays, Kansas 67601
PRSRTSTD US POSTAGE PAID HAYS, KS PERMITNO. 81
Q1 Photo Contest Submission
“Cold Curiosity” Submitted By: Kortney Lang, Rocking KL Photography Location: Hoisington, Kansas
Important Dates
at High Plains Farm Credit December 25th & 26th
HPFC Offices Closed - Christmas Holiday
January 1st January 10th
HPFC Offices Closed - New Year H Stock Dividends Paid
January 19th
HPFC Offices Closed - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 16
HPFC Offices Closed - Presidents’ Day
March 13
HPFC Scholarship Applications Due
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March 15th
Short Rate Acres Reporting Due
March 15 March 15th
Termination Date for 2025 Spring Crop Insurance Premium Sales Closing for 2026 CORN, GSORG, SBEAN
March 16th
Larned Customer Appreciation Event
March 17
Dodge City Customer Appreciation Event
March 18th
Pratt Customer Appreciation Event
March 23rd
Ness City Customer Appreciation Event
March 24
Phillipsburg Customer Appreciation Event
March 25
Hays Customer Appreciation Event
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Larned Office 605 Main Larned, KS 67550 (620) 285-6978 TOLL FREE 1-800-864-4458 FAX (620) 285-6140
Pratt Office 290 NE State Road 61 Pratt, KS 67214-8751 (620) 672-1265 TOLL FREE 1-866-672-1265 FAX (620) 672-5093
Dodge City Office 408 West Frontview Street Dodge City, KS 67801 (620) 225-4400 TOLL FREE 1-800-289-5370 FAX (620) 225-5867
Hays Office 1100 E. 43rd St. Hays, KS 67601 (785) 625-2110 TOLL FREE 1-800-369-9625 FAX (785) 625-4309
Office Hours: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, M-Thu & 7:30 am - 4 pm, Fri
Phillipsburg Office 477 F Street Phillipsburg, KS 67661 (785) 543-6535 TOLL FREE 1-800-815-8593 FAX (785) 543-5739
Ness City Office 101 Eagle Drive Ness City, KS 67560 (785) 798-2278 TOLL FREE 1-800-950-3522 FAX (785) 798-3557