Winter 2011
FarmCreditEast.com
FINANCIALPARTNER Business Insights for Higher Yields
INSIDE: CEO Letter
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Cover Story
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News to Share
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Agrifax Accounting Services
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Washington Update
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Director Candidates
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Community Support
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Rural and urban communities come together to make a difference A creative farm share brings upstate produce to the South Bronx Let us know if you’d prefer to receive Financial Partner magazine electronically. Write to: SpecialOffers@FarmCreditEast.com. Please include your full name, business name and business location.
CEO’s Message
Your Cooperative’s Success Begins with You Bill Lipinski, CEO, Farm Credit East The success of any great cooperative starts with its Board of Directors and that is true for Farm Credit East. Without committed, intelligent and hard-working directors, the organization will fail to make the strategic decisions it needs to make in order to be the best. Over the years, I have been amazed by the talented individuals who have been elected to our Board. Our directors have been insightful leaders with the necessary intellectual curiosity to challenge management and other directors, but also with the ability to work through differences to arrive at a positive outcome. In 2011, Farm Credit East members will elect four directors. We have six current Board members retiring because of term limits or as part of the restructuring plan you approved in the merger. Your participation by voting in the director election process is essential to the success of Farm Credit East. In this issue of Financial Partner, we introduce the director candidates. Directors make tough decisions, and your informed vote will help ensure that the best individuals lead your cooperative. The directors who are retiring from the Board are outstanding people who have given tirelessly of their time to build a stronger Farm Credit East organization, for the current generation of member businesses and for future generations. Your cooperative’s ability to grow, to maintain strong capital levels for the ups and downs of the agricultural economy and to pay significant levels of patronage is a testament to their hard work and commitment. I sincerely appreciate the efforts and commitment of these outstanding Farm Credit East directors:
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“
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“... please participate in electing your Board ...”
• John Dickinson, Hudson Falls, N.Y. (term limit)
• Donald Jensen, II, Stanley, N.Y. (Board restructuring) • Bruce Kidder, Jamestown, N.Y. (Board restructuring) • John Lyman, III, Middlefield, Conn. (term limit) • Gary Mahany, Arkport, N.Y. (Board restructuring) • Lyle Wells, Riverhead, N.Y. (term limit) The Farm Credit East Nominating Committee has been working hard over the past months to develop a slate of candidates for your consideration in upcoming director elections. Our 19 customer service councils helped to identify members with the skills, knowledge and dedication to serve. The committee’s challenge was not easy and they considered a diverse set of highly qualified candidates for the four open seats. More than 30 nominating committee members and alternates participated in this process. As CEO, I was very pleased that 10 outstanding members indicated their desire to serve on the Board. These individuals are leaders and contributors to the industries that we serve. The nominating committee made some tough decisions to agree on the slate of eight. Now it is up to you. When you get your ballot in late March, please participate in electing your Board and be part of making your cooperative an even stronger organization for the future.
Cover Story
Rural and urban communities come together to make a difference A creative farm share brings upstate produce to the South Bronx continued on next page
Financial Partner
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Winter 2011
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Cover Story
The Irony of Hunts Point New York City’s South Bronx residents have limited access to healthy food. Often referred to as a food desert, the South Bronx is where fast food restaurants abound and supermarkets that offer a consistent variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are rare. This scarcity of nutritious food, particularly in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx, has been linked to rampant health problems among its residents, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Hunts Point is a familiar name to many Financial Partner readers, because it is the home of the Hunts Point Market, the world’s largest wholesale produce market, and a destination for fresh produce from throughout the United States, including the Northeast. This produce is distributed throughout the New York City metropolitan area as well as up and down the East Coast. Poverty and social concerns within the Hunts Point area mean that most residents lack the opportunity to purchase that same fresh produce that travels through their community to other neighborhoods.
Troubling statistics • Hunts Point is the poorest zip code east of the Mississippi. • Within New York State’s 62 counties, Hunts Point is the unhealthiest community.
Setting out to improve the nutritional prospects of the Hunts Point community, Dennis Derryck organized a small team of vegetable growers in Schoharie County, N.Y. Dennis, a professor at The New York School of Management and Urban Policy, was driven by his life’s work in social justice. Schoharie County farmers like Richard Ball, of Schoharie Valley Farms, and Jacob Hooper, of Barber’s Farm, needed little convincing to lend a hand toward improving the diets of urban families. According to Richard Ball, “We live and farm three-anda-half hours from the biggest appetite in the world. Just a short distance away, we have people going to bed hungry at night or with high levels of childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes. We needed to connect the dots.” Jacob Hooper agreed. “In Schoharie County,” he said, “we take the availability of fresh produce for granted. Richard and I wanted to share that experience with others. We believe that it is important for people in rural communities to be on the side of urban residents and vice versa.” The following story is about insiders — from farm and urban communities — coming together to make a difference.
A well-planned vision takes shape Upstate New York has been the breadbasket to New York City since colonial times, first from the Hudson Valley and then westward with the advent of the Erie Canal. This continues to this day with large volumes of fresh fruit, vegetables and milk feeding New York City. In recent years, food from upstate farms has been getting into New York City through farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs). In
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fact, some Farm Credit East customers have developed entrepreneurial CSAs throughout the Northeast as a new approach to selling fresh produce. Since the typical CSA model requires households to pay for a share of a farmer’s harvest at the beginning of a growing season in exchange for weekly deliveries throughout the season, Dennis was unsure whether the CSA model could be used to help feed thousands of people in one of the nation’s most malnourished neighborhoods. So he asked people in Hunts Point if they would pay $400 for fresh vegetables and fruit to be delivered weekly. “Where am I going to get $400?” they answered. “Like everything new, you listen, ask and check assumptions,” said Dennis. “I listened to people and asked what they could fund. Most settled on two weeks, at $36 for a full share or $18 for a half share of weekly deliveries.” To address the scale of the problem, Dennis amended the CSA model to create a sustainable program called Corbin Hill Road Farm Share. His vision was to attain 175 shareholders the first year and to grow the project steadily to 3,500 households over the next decade. He also envisioned giving members some ownership in the farm one day, which he believes is essential to its sustainability. Dennis is the first to say that one person can have an idea, but it takes a team of champions to make a difference. That’s why he gathered a group of experts to thrash out the details of bringing his vision to reality. Early champions included Farm Credit East’s Justin Brown, vice president and manager of the Cobleskill, N.Y., office, and vegetable grower Richard Ball. After talking together for four hours, Richard said, “I will help you. Someone needs to do what you are trying to do.”
Cover Story
Justin Brown agreed. “I supported Dennis’s idea because it will improve the health of Hunts Point residents. In addition, Dennis did his homework. He has years of successful planning behind him and he gained the support of Richard Ball, a well-respected, accomplished farmer who backs his idea 100 percent.” These champions know agriculture and Dennis knows the city. “I am the middle person bringing it together,” said Dennis. “I have social capital in the city. People trust me. And Schoharie County farmers know how to deliver quality produce consistently and on a large scale.” To keep the cost of shares low and to make the program sustainable, Dennis raised $562,000 from a number of investors, none of whom are wealthy people. “I call it ordinary people doing extraordinary things because they want to make a difference,” he said. Dennis also qualified for a loan from Farm Credit East. In February 2009, Dennis purchased the 96-acre Corbin Hill Road Farm in Schoharie County and a refrigerated truck to deliver produce to the Bronx. He also started a small vegetable operation with the help of a seasoned farm manager.
able to discuss the business and its challenges with him. I have learned a lot from Justin and I am grateful that he helped me connect with farmers in the Schoharie Valley. I also enjoy his humor, such as when he jokes, ‘You are very good at the numbers, Dennis, but you are not a farmer!’” Before he set this plan in motion, Dennis developed a detailed business plan and built multiple financial models. As the program took off, he continued to refine resources for the farm share to succeed. For example, the program funded a bilingual community organizer at HPAC to educate, organize and bring residents to the table. To stay current with market information, Dennis and his team consistently collected loads of information through weekly member surveys and conference calls with site coordinators.
How Corbin Hill Farm Share grew Dennis appreciated the folks he calls the “hidden heroes” of the project. For example: • Partners, such as Hunts Point Alliance for Children (HPAC), which is a consortium of 11 nonprofit groups, organized community residents for the farm share program. And Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) opened the program to its residents after Dennis proved that he could distribute quality produce weekly. With prospects enrolling from trusted community organizations, Corbin Hill saved years of time getting the program underway. • Some partners heavily subsidized their clients’ shares, and others served as collection and distribution centers. • Many partners volunteered their staff as site coordinators. • The Fulton Fish Market offered free space, a forklift and a forklift driver, which allowed the team to sort produce outside the truck. Sorting in the truck had been limiting the number of pallets they could carry. • Schoharie County farmers consistently delivered a variety of fresh, crisp produce that kept members smiling and returning week after week. • Resources like Farm Credit East’s Justin Brown provided valued strategy and a sounding board. “Justin has become my banker and my friend,” Dennis says. “I appreciate being “I am the middle person bringing it [the farm share] together,” said Dennis. “I have social capital in the city. People trust me. And Schoharie County farmers know how to deliver quality produce consistently and on a large scale.”
Financial Partner
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Cover Story
“This is a win-win situation where a group of people from the South Bronx got together to do something about a food shortage in their community and connected with a community in rural New York. This is also an opportunity to connect with people who have many representatives in our legislature, in order to educate them about what we do and so they can understand our needs a little better.” — Richard Ball Schoharie Valley Farms, Schoharie, N.Y. Within its first year, Corbin Hill Road Farm Share grew rapidly to 280 shareholders. Other indicators of success: • the percentage of members taking full shares rose from 31 to 51 percent • the number of strategic partners climbed to 14, with 12 distribution centers • and 5,200 farm shares were delivered to Hunts Point residents over its first 23-week season.
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Plans for the second year Dennis’s sights are on growth in 2011. Current partners have committed to ramp up membership numbers to 850, and three potential partners promise to bring an additional 555 members on board. “All of a sudden we have additional membership, and we haven’t dealt with growth from our 14 original partners,” said Dennis. “It is clear that we have to determine how to manage and provide quality produce for such a large scale-up.” To do that, he will invite more farmers to the table and hire a produce manager to direct harvest and delivery schedules. In addition, he will adjust operations based on lessons learned, including sorting produce in Schoharie County rather than New York City, increasing the price of farm shares to combat higher fixed expenses and replacing volunteer site coordinators with interns. “We hope that our internship program will help our partners feel comfortable with the expansion and relieve some of their staff ’s time.” According to Dennis, shares in Corbin Hill Road Farm will eventually be turned over to the people who are part of the program, which is why he calls the project a farm share. “I have a vision of an annual meeting where 3,000 people from the community come to the farm and vote what happens to their shares. To me, that is the exciting piece. It is what makes people economic citizens and not just consumers. But that idea is five years in the future,” Dennis cautions. For now, Dennis Derryck and his Corbin Hill Road Farm Share team of champions are happy to offer Hunts Point families quality produce from Schoharie County farmers at a decent price.
Cover Story
Richard Ball is making a difference Richard Ball Owner and manager
Farm: Schoharie Valley Farms Location: Schoharie, N.Y. Operation: 200 acres of mixed vegetable crops and some small fruits. The family runs a greenhouse operation to raise bedding plants, fall mums and poinsettias as well as transplants for their farm and vegetables in the off-season. In addition, they store fall vegetables in their 1,000-ton cold storage facility and developed a very popular 4,000-square-foot retail farm market, called The Carrot Barn. The family also ships vegetables for the wholesale trade supplying restaurants and chefs. About Corbin Hill Road Farm Share: “We sell produce to the Hunts Point Market and supply highend restaurants in Manhattan. The irony is that the South Bronx is just outside the largest terminal market in the eastern United States and yet its residents cannot access that produce because they have no grocery stores or green markets. Buying fresh produce means a subway or taxi ride. “The farm share is great model. Dennis and I talked in January, and by June families and kids in the South Bronx started eating better. It was as simple as connecting the dots, which is a beautiful thing.”
Jacob Hooper is making a difference Jacob Hooper Vice president and manager
Farm: Barber’s Farm, a sixth-generation family operation Location: Middleburgh, N.Y. Operation: 500 acres of mixed vegetables, vegetable plants, perennials and hanging baskets that the family direct markets through their home stand, greenhouses and roadside stand. In addition, they use high tunnels (unheated, mobile greenhouses for cold hardy plants) to provide vegetables to a local market year round, and they developed a line of frozen vegetables, including sweet corn, red peppers, broccoli, butternut squash and tomatoes. About Corbin Hill Road Farm Share: “Partnering an upstate agricultural community with an urban community is a really cool idea. I like giving folks in Hunts Point the opportunity to become partners in a farm with decision-making capabilities. The project is also a terrific way to teach the next generation where their food comes from. If the model works here, it should work anywhere. “Corbin Hill Farm Share has been good for our farm and I hope that it has been good for Hunts Point residents.”
Justin Brown is making a difference Vice president and branch manager Farm Credit East Cobleskill, N.Y.
On Dennis Derryck: “Dennis has embraced local farmers. Recognizing that he is not a farmer, he hired a manager with farming experience to run the Corbin Hill Road Farm. As the program came together, Dennis appreciated that his startup farm could not bring the volume of consistently high-quality products to market that the farm share required, so he turned to the people who are already great farmers and could feed the people of Hunts Point. “In the process, Dennis provided an additional outlet for Schoharie County produce by opening the door for farmers to market in the City, which is a tough market to crack. You have to know insiders, which Dennis does. He has a lot of personal capital in the city, which has helped facilitate the connection for farmers in the valley.”
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NEWS to Share
Protecting Farm Credit East Customers Beware of fraudulent efforts BEWARE! No one is immune to fraudulent cyber-related attempts to access your financial accounts and get to your funds. Over the past six months, Farm Credit East has seen an increase in criminal activity relating to funds-transfer fraud. Our procedures and personal knowledge of customers have ensured that none of these efforts have succeeded. This is not specific to Farm Credit East, but all customers need to be aware that criminals may seek to take over your e-mail account, find your passwords and seek to transfer funds out of your accounts. Farm Credit East is taking extra steps to ensure our customers’ safety. When a customer requests a third-party disbursement (payment to an outside party), our procedures require the customer to submit their request in writing accompanied by their signature. Additionally, Farm Credit East staff may choose to call you to verify your identity by asking a series of questions. While these precautions may cause a slight delay in funds, they are only done in the customer’s best interest. We want to be sure your funds are protected.
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2011 Scholarship Program Apply by April 15 Farm Credit East will award up to twenty-eight $1,500 scholarships to qualified students, including diversity scholarships. We look for students who are committed to having a career in agriculture, commercial fishing or the forest products industry. We make our decisions based on your essay, experience, course of study and extracurricular activities. Eligibility To apply, any individual pursuing a posthigh school education must demonstrate, through career plans, experience, program of study and extracurricular activities, significant progress toward and a clear intention for a career in agriculture, forestry or commercial fishing. An associate’s, bachelor’s or graduate degree qualifies as post-high school education. Candidates for the scholarship must have a permanent home address within the area served by Farm Credit East. Applicants are eligible to win this scholarship only once. Application Go to FarmCreditEast.com for an application. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. Applications must be complete, accurate and received by 5:00 p.m. on April 15, 2011.
Country Living Photo Calendar Contest Upload your best shots to our website by July 31 Help us fill Farm Credit East’s Country Living 2012 Calendar with lots of fresh images that illustrate life in the country today. Use your camera to show the many ways that northeast agriculture and country living enrich our lives. Your photo entry may appear in Farm Credit East’s Country Living 2012 Calendar and earn you a cash prize! Contest entries • Planting, timber, irrigation, livestock or harvest scenes • Industry shots of vineyards, commercial fishing or timber operations, farms, etc. • Action shots, in fields, forests or barns, or on docks • Holiday photos, such as of wreaths or other seasonal images • County fairs, roadside markets and farmer markets • 4-H or FFA events Need creative inspiration? See winning shots from prior calendars (and other great shots, too!) on FarmCreditEast.com.
Agrifax Accounting Services Same Great Services with a “New” Name Farm Credit East records, tax and payroll services have a new name — Agrifax Accounting Services. We’ve added this name to let you know that we offer a convenient package of accounting services all under one roof, including: • Financial record-keeping • Tax preparation and planning • Payroll services • Software sales and service We also offer both On-Farm and At-Farm Credit versions of many of these services to fit the way you do business, whether at your operation or from our office. We work with agricultural businesses of all sizes, too — from small operations looking to establish sound record-keeping practices to multifaceted operations seeking expert assistance with complex tax and payroll issues. No one goes into agriculture for the fun of keeping books or staying current with tax regulations. Still, accurate accounting helps you make more informed business decisions while avoiding tax and payroll penalties. Here’s a look at how you can take advantage of our full range of Agrifax Accounting Services:
From quality records ...
through tax-impacted management decisions ...
Business Management Credit Needs
to achieve your goals. Financial Security Family Tradition Business Profitability
RECORDS
TAX STRATEGIES Retirement
Business Entity Formation Estate Planning
Motivated Employees
“I watch our operation’s numbers so we know how the business is doing at any moment. I also raise a red flag whenever financial problems pop up. The Farm Credit East accounting team is like a partner for us. They provide us with whatever information we need, whenever we call or e-mail them.” — Kimberly Brockett
Business Sale
Bishop’s Orchards, Guildford, Conn.
Call your local Farm Credit East office today for answers to all your accounting and tax questions. Financial Partner
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Winter 2011
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Update
Washington
Robert A. Smith, senior vice president for public affairs
Congressional Outlook and FFARRM Accounts The November 2010 elections clearly changed the political landscape in Washington. While political analysts will debate various factors of the election, concern over weakness of the economy, increased government spending and regulatory overreach were on the minds of many voters. What is the situation for agriculture and farm policy going forward? It is uncertain. There’s no question that we can expect more pressure to reduce the USDA budget, of which about 70 percent goes to nutrition programs. Farm programs are a likely target for significant cuts as a new Farm Bill is developed. The attention that farm programs get on the spending side is somewhat unjustified, with all farm support programs adding up to less than six-tenths of 1 percent of the federal budget. Current Farm Bill programs expire on September 30, 2012. In a normal Farm Bill time frame, the year before the bill expires is a year of extensive farm program hearings, deliberations and development of legislative language. Indications are that Frank Lucas (R-Oklahoma), the new chair of the House Agriculture Committee, might move slowly on Farm Bill development to avoid being an early focal point of budgetary cuts. Congressman Lucas is a rancher who, having been elected in 1990, has participated in the development of three previous farm bills. The new chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), was first elected in 2000 and has indicated that she would like to aggressively move ahead on Farm Bill development this year, although she is just now beginning to appoint key committee staff members. As we head toward a new Farm Bill, some different thinking may be in order. Traditional farm programs are likely to be under fire as cuts are considered to reduce deficit spending. Direct farm payments will certainly be under pressure for elimination.
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Farm, Fish and Ranch Risk Management Accounts A proposal that has been around for a number of years deserves attention. (It was recently endorsed by the USDA Dairy Advisory Committee.) The FFARRM (Farm, Fish and Ranch Risk Management) proposal would allow farmers and commercial fishing businesses to put up to 20 percent of taxable income attributable to farming or commercial fishing into a tax-deferred FFARRM account. The business would be required to withdraw the funds within a five-year window and the funds would be taxable in the year that the funds were withdrawn. The idea is to provide an account that helps farm businesses manage cash reserves efficiently in light of wide fluctuations in prices, input costs and net farm income. Under FFARRM, farm or commercial fishing businesses could put funds into an account during a good net farm income year and withdraw funds in a more challenging year. It would give businesses greater financial flexibility and allow them to build more liquidity with before-tax funds. With the increasing globalization of agricultural markets, many economists expect volatility to continue to be significant and the ability to manage through these cycles will be critical. More Information For a copy of the FFARRM bill or to comment on the FFARRM proposal, please send an e-mail to Robert.Smith@FarmCreditEast.com. Northeast Members of Congress on Agriculture Committees This year, the Northeast has seen a dramatic increase in members of Congress on agriculture committees:
Senate
House
Patrick Leahy (D-VT) • Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
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Bill Owens (D-NY) Chris Gibson (R-NY)* • Joseph Courtney (D-CT)* • James McGovern (D-MA)* • Chellie Pingree (D-ME)* • Peter Welch (D-VT)* •
*New appointment in 2011
Introducing Your 2011 Director Candidates On behalf of the Nominating Committee, Farm Credit East is pleased to announce the 2011 slate of candidates for the association’s Board of Directors. The eight highly qualified candidates are seeking election to four open seats on the Board. The Board Farm Credit East has been fortunate to have a great deal of diversity among its directors in terms of expertise and their insight in running a cooperative that meets the credit and financial needs of their fellow members. Your Board sets a clear strategic and policy direction for the cooperative on behalf of all customer-owners. The Board works closely with CEO Bill Lipinski to set policy, establish long-term business plans, evaluate business results and provide feedback to the management team. It does not make day-to-day management decisions, including individual loans, personnel or finance. The Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee is composed of 21 Farm Credit members and 21 alternate members, representing each branch office. The association membership elects the Nominating Committee at the annual stockholders meeting. This committee works hard to identify qualified candidates in order to ensure that the association continues to attract a highly skilled and diverse Board. In addition, the committee makes every effort to recommend at least two candidates for each open seat. Election process We are committed to provide you with the information you need to make an informed voting choice for the 2011 Farm Credit East Board of Directors, including: • This article’s profile of the eight candidates • An Annual Meeting Information Statement, which voting members will receive in the mail • Information on our website at FarmCreditEast.com • A live webinar at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 21. (You’ll find details on our website.) Ballots will be mailed to all voting members after the annual meeting in March. Members can vote for the four candidates of their choice: one from the western region; one from the central region and two from the eastern region.
Your Vote Counts!
Please vote. By voting, you convey your continued commitment to Farm Credit East and your thanks to fellow members who are seeking election to the Board.
Financial Partner
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Winter 2011
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3Western Region: Select 1 candidate (4-year term) Batavia, Cortland, Geneva, Hornell and Mayville office areas
Candidate: Charles C. Bares
Candidate: Robert R. Brown, II
Business name: Mallards Dairy LLC/Marshacres, LLC
Business name: Orchard Dale Fruit Company and Brown’s Berry Patch
Location: Cuba, N.Y. Description: Mallards Dairy is a 2,100-cow dairy farm and we farm 5,000 acres under the name of Marshacres, LLC. Personnel: I own and manage Mallards Dairy LLC/Marshacres, LLC in partnership with Joseph Strzelec. I am married and have two children. Farm Credit member since: 1996 Leadership positions: Despite my absence of affiliations, I have many years of experience operating large agricultural businesses. For example, in 1988, I started my first dairy farm in Ohio taking it to 200 cows by 1997. Then in 1996, I started Marilla Dairy in New York on an 80/20 split with my partner, taking it to 500 cows by 2004. Throughout my farming career, I have been motivated to get better, to figure out the next business move and to go for continuing business success. Why I am seeking election to the Board: Being recognized as somebody who might be able to help lead Farm Credit East is a great honor. This recognition ignites my desire to learn and to see if my talents can help members’ businesses as well as Farm Credit East. Why vote for me: I would bring my experience of being able to consistently increase the equity in our business through some trying years to the Board. I am interested in ensuring that Farm Credit East policies and regulations have a positive impact on all member-farmers and on the communities in which they live and work. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with other farmers and agricultural business owners on the Board, to understand their endeavors and to all work together to set policy.
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Location: Waterport, N.Y. Description: Orchard Dale Fruit Company grows wholesale apples, berries, cherries and peaches. Brown’s Berry Patch is our retail farm market and pick-your-own farm market. Website: www.brownsberrypatch.com Personnel: My brother, Eric; wife, Deborah; and son, Robert. My role is marketing, sales and business management. I am also a partner in Lake Ridge Fruit Company and Lake Ontario Fruit, Inc., which pack and market fresh apples from western New York growers. Farm Credit member since: 1985 Leadership positions: Director, Farm Credit East; member, Farm Credit East Board Advisory Committee; past director, Farm Credit of Western New York; Advisory Board, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva; vice chair, Town of Carlton Planning Board Why I am seeking election to the Board: I am seeking reelection in order to contribute to the future development and growth of our cooperative. I am very interested in ensuring that Farm Credit East safely and efficiently continues to provide capital and financial services to farms and rural borrowers. From past banking and business experience, I believe that I am well qualified to help keep Farm Credit East progressive and effective. Why vote for me: I understand and take very seriously the fiduciary responsibilities required by the Board of Directors of a bank. In addition, I am interested in learning more about agribusiness and finance and am willing to take the time to serve. Reasonably priced credit and effective financial services are important components to the growth and operation of our farm. I am interested in helping to bring that value to other types of farms.
3Central Region: Select 1 candidate (4-year term)
Burrville, Claverack, Cobleskill, Greenwich, Middletown, Potsdam and Sangerfield offices
Candidate: Laurie K. Griffen
Candidate: Charles L. Lain, Jr. (“Chip”)
Business name: Saratoga Sod Farm, Inc.
Business name: Pine Island Turf Nursery, Inc.
Location: Stillwater, N.Y.
Location: Pine Island, N.Y.
Description: A 600-acre turfgrass sod farm. In addition to producing and selling high-quality sod, Saratoga Sod Farm also provides installation services as well as sales of seed, fertilizer and garden soil to customers across the Northeast. We also grow roughly 300 acres of soybeans and corn.
Description: An 850-acre turfgrass farm. We grow and deliver turfgrass sod to wholesale and retail customers. In addition, we grow 100 to 200 acres of Roundup-ready soybeans and rent acreage to local onion farmers. We also offer “Big Yellow Bag” black garden soil to the retail market.
Website: www.saratogasod.com
Website: www.pineturf.com
Personnel: My husband, Steve, and I own and operate Saratoga Sod Farm. In addition, we rely on two full-time, year-round people as well as four full-time and two part-time seasonal people in addition to four H2A workers.
Personnel: I am president and working manager of Pine Island Turf Nursery. My wife, Shari, is vice president and our daughter, Kelsey, is our office manager.
Farm Credit member since: 1989 Leadership positions: Member, Town of Saratoga Planning Board; cochair, Schuyler Park Committee; LEAD NY Board; director, Northeast Golf Course Superintendents Association Board; cochair, New York State Turfgrass Association Adirondack Conference and Trade Show; NYS Ag Experiment Station Advisory Committee/Council; Farm Credit East Customer Service Council, Greenwich; past member and chair, Farm Credit East Nominating Committee Why I am seeking election to the Board: I am a strong believer in giving back to what is important to me, and Farm Credit is high on that list. From my early days of listening to my grandfather when he worked for Production Credit to the early stages of beginning and growing our new business, Farm Credit has been a big part of our growth and success. It is time to try to give back. Why vote for me: While I represent the turf/horticultural industry, I also understand other agricultural enterprises and the legislative arena. I was raised on a registered Holstein farm and have family members involved in dairy, beef, poultry, ag lending, Extension, veterinary medicine, biofuels and ag education. I have worked for the Order 1 Federal Milk Marketing Administrator in Boston and the NYS Legislative Dairy Commission in Albany. My experiences and associations across the northeast agricultural spectrum make me a strong candidate. Financial Partner
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Winter 2011
Farm Credit member since: 1980 Leadership positions: Trustee, secretary-treasurer, vice president, president and currently past president, Turfgrass Producers International, also chaired its finance committee, public relations working group, membership committee and artificial turf working group; member and chair of Website/ Facebook Committee, Minisink Valley Kiwanis Club; Farm Credit East Customer Service Council, Middletown Why I am seeking election to the Board: Farm Credit East knows my business and understands the intricate details that I face when making financial decisions. I want to ensure that this service remains as a resource for members in the future. As a director, you can be part of change that affects the group for the better, which can be a very satisfying experience. Why vote for me: I am a concerned and experienced Farm Credit East customer. My experience of running my business and my participation in our local customer service council have prepared me for this opportunity. Also, in serving on the International Industry Board for seven years, I gained insight into the role of director/trustee. In my term as president of the Turfgrass Producers International, I was the spokesperson for the industry. I also gave presentations at industry events and represented turfgrass producers in Washington on issues affecting our industry.
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3Eastern Region: Select 1 candidate (4-year term)
Bedford, Bridgeton, Dayville, Enfield, Flemington, Middleboro and Riverhead offices
Candidate: Henry L. Huntington
Candidate: Jeffrey J. Mayer
Business name: Pleasant View Gardens, Inc.
Business name: Mayflo, Inc., d.b.a. Mayer’s Flower Cottage and Greenhouses
Location: Loudon, N.H. Description: A 12-acre wholesale greenhouse operation specializing in young plant propagation and finished annuals and perennials Website: www.pvg.com Personnel: I am president and CEO of our family business, which I own in partnership with my brother, Jeffrey. We are also partners in Proven Winners, LLC, a plant brand marketing company; Plant 21, LLC, a plant breeding company; and Ticoplant of Costa Rica, an offshore unrooted cutting production company.
Description: A cut-flower production range and four acres of outdoor open field production of cut flowers. We supply local wholesale and retail floral operations. We also have a full-service retail flower shop. Website: www.mayersflowercottage.com Personnel: I am the owner and operator of Mayflo, Inc., in partnership with my wife, Lynda Mayer. My dad, Richard Mayer, is a trusted adviser and holiday helper.
Farm Credit member since: 1983
Farm Credit member since: 1980
Leadership positions: Cochair, New Hampshire Ornamental Horticulture Endowment; director, Phoenix Mutual Insurance Company; past president of Bedding Plants International; member, Leadership Advisory Board for the Thompson School, University of New Hampshire; member, Town of Loudon Planning Board; Farm Credit East Customer Service Council, Bedford
Leadership positions: Director, treasurer and chair of Performance Improvement Committee, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center; Farm Credit East Customer Service Council, Riverhead, and served as a past member and chair of the Nominating Committee
Why I am seeking election to the Board: Strong cooperatives depend on committed membership involvement. It is the responsibility of each member to contribute to its success. My experience in my business and involvement in the nursery industry and my community have given me the tools to be a solid contributor to the continued success of Farm Credit East. Why vote for me: I have a broad range of experience from which to draw. With my family, I have built a business from a small greenhouse operation to one of the leading operations in the United States. In the community, I have been a member of our planning board for 12 years, six years as its vice chair. I served as president of Bedding Plants International, an industry trade association. In addition, I have also served on numerous community, business, church and national farm and greenhouse committees and boards. With this kind of experience, I believe I bring a well-rounded approach to the Board in order to represent all members of Farm Credit East.
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Location: Patchogue, N.Y.
Why I am seeking election to the Board: As a third-generation flower grower, I have learned that I must stay current, adapt to change and not lose my core values. Growing up, I saw the satisfaction and pride that my father, a past Farm Credit director, obtained from his input on the Board and I hope to do the same. Why vote for me: As a national director of the FTD association, I was responsible for a region that encompassed Maine to Virginia. I have the ability to relate to the specific needs of a large geographical area. My position as a trustee of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center has taught me the role of a governing director, working with administration to manage a multifaceted organization. In addition, chairing Brookhaven’s performance improvement committee gives me the experience to interpret data and analyze the challenges of a large organization. The current economic times have given small and part-time farmers an increasing percentage of our loan numbers. My experience gives me the tools to face the challenges of Farm Credit East, enabling me to lead our newly merged organization to the next level.
3Eastern Region: Select 1 candidate (3-year term)
Bedford, Bridgeton, Dayville, Enfield, Flemington, Middleboro and Riverhead offices
Candidate: Samuel G. Conard
Candidate: John F. Nunes, Jr.
Business name: S.R. Conard & Sons
Business name: Newport Vineyards
Location: Hillsborough, N.J.
Location: Middletown, R.I.
Description: A 1,300-acre hay and grain farm. We retail the bulk of our hay and long straw to horse farms in central New Jersey, and supply garden centers and landscapers. We also have a transportation business to deliver our products as well as livestock and equipment for customers.
Business description: 60-acre vineyard, 15,000-case winery and a retail sales and tasting room that appeals to the Newport, R.I., tourist traffic. We also sell wholesale.
Personnel: I am in partnership with my brother, John Warmke. I manage the office, marketing and sales. My nephew, Matthew Warmke, and my son, Jesse Conard, are our key employees. Farm Credit member since: 1981 Leadership positions: Secretary, Belle Mead Farmers Cooperative Board; director, New Jersey Farm Bureau of Somerset County; director, Somerset County Board of Agriculture; director, Princeton Agricultural Society; chair, Hillsborough Township Agricultural Advisory Board; director, Hillsborough Township Planning Board; Farm Credit East customer service council, Flemington Why I am seeking election to the Board: I have had nothing but great experiences working with Farm Credit. I know I would not have been successful without this fine organization. In addition, I have always been impressed with the caliber of its management. I would like the opportunity to serve this organization that has helped my business and the agricultural industry for so many years. I feel that contributing my time and energy is my way of giving back for all that Farm Credit East has done for me. Why vote for me: I enjoy working with people for a common goal. I will devote myself to doing the best job of representing the membership.
Financial Partner
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Winter 2011
Website: www.newportvineyards.com Personnel: I own Newport Vineyards and Nunes Properties. I manage the vineyard and winery. My brother, Paul, is vineyard manager. Farm Credit member since: 2000 Leadership positions: Director, treasurer and chair of retail committee, Newport County Chamber of Commerce; corporator, BankNewport; executive committee, Rhode Island Agriculture Partnership; Newport County Attractions Council Steering Committee; Farm Credit East Customer Service Council, Dayville; previously served on the Nominating Committee Why I am seeking election to the Board: I have always been impressed with the achievements of the Farm Credit East organization. I like the membership structure of the institution. I would like to contribute my experiences to the Board and help keep the organization sound for the future. Why vote for me: I come from a vineyard operation that is different than most types of farming in the Northeast. I will add experience and diversity to the Board. I think this will translate into fresh ideas for our cooperative. Prior to returning to the farm, I worked as a financial and credit analyst. I also have extensive experience in real estate and appraising. I will package these experiences for the benefit of Farm Credit East. In addition, I understand how important it is for northeast farming to have a strong financial cooperative and lender. We need to keep the cooperative healthy and keep farmers farming!
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FINANCIAL PARTNER is for the customers, employees and friends of Farm Credit East. Farm Credit is a farmer-owned lending cooperative serving the farm, commercial fishing and forest products businesses in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. Part of the national Farm Credit System, Farm Credit East is a full-service lender dedicated to the growth and prosperity of agriculture.
Farm Credit East 240 South Road Enfield, CT 06082-4451 Address Service Requested
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Permit No. 690 Springfield, MA
HOW TO REACH US: Whether you want to praise us, complain, ask our advice or just let us know what’s on your mind, we’d like to hear from you. WRITE: Karen Murphy, Editor, Farm Credit, 240 South Road, Enfield, CT 06082-4451. CALL: 860.741.4380. E-MAIL: karen.murphy@farmcrediteast.com. Copyright © 2011 by Farm Credit East, ACA. All rights reserved. Farm Credit is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
FINANCIAL PARTNER is printed on recycled paper.
Community
Support 26 Women Sharpen Their Business Skills Annie’s Project got underway in mid-January in New York’s Schoharie and Oneida counties. “Annie’s Project is a six-week program designed to help women become strong business partners in their farm operations,” David Cox said. David is Annie’s Project coordinator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie County. “This year’s class represents a diverse group from both established and startup operations and from a variety of industries like dairy, small animal livestock, poultry, fruits and vegetables.” The course offers an in-depth view of a variety of topics, such as information systems that agricultural managers rely on to make business decisions, as well as financial statements, farm business planning and insurance issues. The program is put on by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Oneida counties and includes a number of presenters and discussion leaders from Farm Credit East, including Paul VanDenburgh, senior farm business adviser and tax specialist; Clarissa Kniskern, credit representative; Julie Pasek, farm accounting representative; Jeremy Forrett, senior agent for Crop Growers; and Betsey Howland, loan officer. According to senior farm business adviser Paul VanDenburgh, “This is a great program that gives women the skills and confidence to become more actively involved in their business’s decision-making process.”
Farm Credit East is proud to sponsor Annie’s Project and the members of this year’s class as they work toward becoming stronger partners in their family businesses.
Farm Credit East’s Julie Pasek and Clarissa Kniskern enjoyed helping the class master financial documents, such as balance sheets and income statements.