Durham man helps farmers deal with special situations
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Having trouble making ends meet? Wanting to retire but needing help with the transition? Needing to expand and looking for ideas?
These are just a few of the situations in which Kevin Herbel of Durham can lend a helping hand.
Herbel is a farm analyst working under the auspices of Kansas State University's Cooperative Extension Service.
He works mainly in north central and central Kansas, helping farmers and their families with specific problems or situations.
Herbel has a master's degree in agricultural economics from KSU.
While he was working on his master's, he was given the opportunity to work hands-on with farmers in a Balanced Farming and Family Living program.
"I got a piece of paper for my master's but my education was with farm families," he said.
Prior to becoming an analyst, he worked with farmers enrolled in the Kansas Farm Management Association. He had 130 paying clients.
Some clients he worked with continue to come to him for help with business planning. Others are referred by bankers or extension agents.
Herbel said his role is to guide his clients in understanding their financial situation and making informed decisions.
"It is interesting," he said. "They expect me to tell them what to do to make things work, but I try to help them make their own decisions so they'll know what to do the next time a similar situation arises," he said.
All of Herbel's meetings with farmers are conducted in the family home.
In the case of a debtor/creditor dispute, Herbel analyzes with them how the business currently is structured and helps them devise alternative plans, such as a value-added enterprise or off-the-farm job, to change the situation.
New ideas are explored and thoroughly researched.
In times of weather disasters or other circumstances, Herbel can provide objective and thoughtful ideas without the emotion of events entering into the process.
Issues involved in the process of transferring farms to the next generation or bringing sons or daughters into the business can be addressed objectively.
Herbel works with all sizes of farms. He is not an attorney, but he educates people on estate planning and other business matters. He also informs them about the many resources available to farm families.
Herbel sometimes receives referrals from Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services. These referrals are helped free of charge. Clients who are referred from banks or extension agents pay a small fee.
All information provided by producers is strictly confidential. Fees are reasonable and based upon ability to pay.
Herbel said no farm family will be denied assistance if they are unable to pay.
Herbel grew up at Tampa and is a graduate of Centre High School. He and his wife, Paula, have lived in Durham since 1998. Prior to that, they lived in Hillsboro for five years. They have seven children ranging in age from 17 months to 15 years.
Herbel can be reached at home or at work at 620-732-2033. His cell is 620-382-7230 and e-mail address is kherbel@ksu.edu. He also can be reached through Ricky Roberts, KSU/Marion County extension agent.
