FARM CREDIT OF WESTERN ARKANSAS
FARMING with Family & Friends
Celebrating Farm Credit’s first 100 years of service to rural America
SUMMER 2016
Table of Contents
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Director Nominations
Members may participate in the director nomination process
100-Year Anniversary special section Celebrating Farm Credit’s milestone anniversary on the national, state and local levels
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Director Troy Buck honored with national award
Named one of top ten leaders in ag education
8 Legacy members Marking centennial by identifying long-time
Western Arkansas members
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2016 Referral Rewards Program
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$100 awards plus $1,000 grand prize
Photo Contest
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2016 Scholarship Winners
DEPARTMENTS 1 President’s Letter 19 News Briefs
About the Cover
We proudly mark Farm Credit’s 100 years of service to agriculture and our rural communities. We continue our commitment to the financial needs of western Arkansans today, and tomorrow.
Published for the members and friends of Farm Credit of Western Arkansas Office Locations and Loan Officers Arkadelphia 2858 Walnut 870-246-8061 / 800-598-8413 Rachael Godwin, David Smith Benton 1207 Ferguson Drive 501-860-6391 Kevin Barham Bentonville 1080 SE 14th St., Suite A 479-273-3311/800-953-6803 Darla Larson Danville 302 E. 5th Street 479-495-2711 / 800-953-6802 Lora Briggs De Queen 800 Magnolia 870-584-3113 / 800-421-7714 Connie Jones Fort Smith 12907 Hwy 71 South 479-434-4040 Andrea Leding, James Crabtree, Perry McCourt Glenwood 131 Hwy 70 E. 870-356-2023 / 800-618-2018 Jordan Pearce Greenbrier 89C N. Broadview 501-679-5464 / 800-968-2961 Cecil Oursbourn Harrison 129 W. Industrial Park Road 870-741-2020 / 800-953-6809 Brad Matlock, Dan Benton Hope 1722 E. 3rd Street 870-777-6704 / 800-431-1317 Jerry Nance, Clay Lance Huntsville 142 Hwy 412 479-824-6622 Dilynn Dodd Magnolia 1703 Pittman Street 870-234-8611 / 800-495-1211 Shaun McKamie Mena 1607 Hwy 71 North 479-394-1027 / 800-846-0919 Rex Dollar Morrilton 1329 Hwy 9 501-354-2377 / 800-953-6804 Hank DeSalvo Nashville 302 W. Bishop 870-845-2221 / 800-575-0415 Denise Sweat Ozark 1808 Farm Credit Drive 479-667-3855 / 800-953-6807 Tom White, Perry McCourt Paris 3772 Hwy 22 West 479-963-2841 / 800-953-6805 Donna Cunningham, Prairie Grove 1151 Heritage Parkway 479-824-3418 Daniel Keeton Russellville 2797 East Parkway 479-968-5030 / 800-953-6801 Jim Taylor, Anna Lester Siloam Springs 4970 Hwy 412 East 479-524-6754 / 800-392-6912 Savannah Dickinson Texarkana 2805 E. Broad Street 870-772-1882 / 800-451-6120 Jonathan Shumate, Jennifer Day, Randy Coulson Tontitown 1091 W. Henri de Tonti Blvd. 800-953-6806 / 479-717-6740 Kyle Karr
Board of Directors Randy Arnold (Chairman), Alma Chuck Davis, Jr. (Vice Chairman), Ashdown Bruce Alford, Lewisville Kenny Brixey, Casa Troy W. Buck, Alpine Steve Burke, Washington Scott Carter, Danville Bob Dixon, Havana Dusty Hampton, Russellville Kim Hogan, Ozark Ron Hubbard, London Bill Linton, Dover Gene Pharr, Lincoln Mark Wilcox, Greenbrier L. Duane Wilson, Fayetteville President and CEO Glen Manchester Editor Jill Robertson Jill.Robertson@farmcredit.com
As we celebrate our 100-year milestone, members are attributing Farm Credit’s success to more than simply lending money. Members say they choose Farm Credit because of the relationJill Robertson ships we build Editor and maintain with our borrowers. Our Legacy Member program (page 8) proves that Farm Credit is often a tradition passed down through the generations. That’s an amazing testimony to the way Farm Credit serves rural western Arkansas. Farm Credit’s legacy is more than financing the rural lifestyle. Our long-term success stems from our commitment to know our members and understand their financing needs, today and tomorrow. Farming is published by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas. Please address any comments to Editor, Farming, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, 3115 W. 2nd Court, Russellville, AR 72801. Member Cooperative Communicators Association. © 2016 Farm Credit of Western Arkansas. Printed with farmer-grown soybean ink on recycled paper.
PRESIDENT’s LETTER
Glen Manchester President and CEO
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NE HUNDRED YEARS AGO, a financial cooperative was started and dedicated to agriculture and rural communities. The Farm Credit Centennial is this year. What a great accomplishment for employees, farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and the greater rural community! 100 years of service to agriculture. Yes, your financial cooperative is very proud of its long heritage of continuing service. The facts are that its survival and accomplishments are amazing. Farm Credit has become the preferred source of agricultural credit in the country. At the heart of our successes are the crucial interactions between customer-owners and Farm Credit employees. It has taken untold hours of collaborative efforts to span the century. From the first Farm Credit loan being made in 1916 to present day, billions of dollars have been made available to rural America. Millions of rural customers have profited by customer-ownership of their agricultural lender. Through good times and bad ones, Farm Credit stood by agricultural producers. What about the next 100 years? We look forward to meeting our customers’ needs and fulfilling their dreams. For certain, what brought Farm Credit through 100 years won’t ensure another century because time does bring change. As the percentage of rural residents to total population continues to decline, all of us must be more vocal in supporting the rural community. It has become common place for people to believe that their food simply originates in a grocery store. They really need to know that it starts with you and your neighbors!
In like manner, Farm Credit is increasingly attacked because of its limited mission to rural customers and great successes. In fact, a lobbyist group recently called for Farm Credit’s total elimination. Do they really want to eliminate more than one third of rural funding that brings out-of-state money to Arkansas? In a few years, what kind of government bailout would be needed to replace your customer-owned, nongovernment-funded Farm Credit? What would your interest costs be without Farm Credit? When necessary, we hope that you will speak out for Farm Credit as we build for our next century. Thank you for being by Farm Credit’s side as we move to the next 100 years. In fact, thank each of you for your relationship with Farm Credit! We love to work with those who feed, clothe and shelter the world. Farm Credit only exists because of you. Your Farm Credit is proud of its 100 years of service and looking forward to our next century of assisting rural Arkansas.
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2016 Director Nominations Qualified member nominations are welcome.
As a financial cooperative, Farm Credit is owned by the members it serves. Members have the responsibility of nominating and electing fellow members to serve as Directors. Directors meet monthly and work closely with management to guide association business decisions and practices and are compensated for their time and travel. The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for Director positions that are up for re-election this year. Directors commit to a fouryear term that begins in November. If you would like to be considered as a Director nominee, or would like to nominate a fellow Farm Credit of
Western Arkansas stockholder, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee. Nominees must meet the following requirements: •Be a voting stockholder, at least 18 years of age, and a bona fide farmer (person owning agricultural land or engaged in the production of agricultural products, including aquatic products under control conditions) in the association’s 41-county western Arkansas territory. •Must have an active loan balance and acceptable credit classification rating.
2016 Director Positions up for Election Area 2 Current position held by Bill Linton Area 4 Current position held by Kenny Brixey Area 6 Current position held by Bruce Alford
4-year term 4-year term 4-year term
Nominations accepted now through July 6, 2016. Feel free to contact a Nominating Committee member, directly. 2016 NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS AREA 1
Larry Hacker (Washington County) 479-824-4242
Kevin Harmon (Benton County) 479-220-2901
AREA 2 Charles “Mike” Brown (Pope County) Justin “Taylor” Gattis (Franklin County) 479-223-2069 479-965-3333 AREA 3 Allen L. Johnson (Logan County) Casey T. Cotton (Logan County) 479-938-2207 479-518-1362 AREA 4 James W. Mann (Perry County) Ronnie D. Hall, Sr. (Faulkner County) 501-759-3119 501-679-3114 AREA 5 Randy W. Peck (Hempstead County) Darrell Ford (Hempstead County) 870-887-3635 870-777-3265 AREA 6 Leslie Huddleston (Little River County) Elizabeth F. Walker (Sevier County) 870-898-8306 870-832-4494
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The 15-member Farm Credit of Western Arkansas Board of Directors is comprised of a combination of member-elected directors, inside-appointed directors, and outsideappointed directors as dictated by association by-laws. Each director serves a four-year term. 12 Directors Stockholders directly elected by association members (Bylaws require at least 60% of directors be elected by stockholders) 1 Director D i r e c t o rappointed stockholder director 2 Directors D i r e c t o rappointed outside directors (FCA regulation requires minimum of two non- stockholder directors)
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Farm Credit’s Proud Past and Future
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Supporting rural America with reliable credit and financial services, today and tomorrow.
N JULY 17, FARM CREDIT celebrates 100 years of serving agriculture and our rural communities. We’re celebrating much more than our proud history, though. We’re also looking ahead and are committed to serving our members with the credit and financial services that help make them successful today, and tomorrow. We’ve proudly served generations of farmers, ranchers and rural home owners across western Arkansas. Our members continually tell us they appreciate the fact that we understand their needs and they can count on us. We believe our position as one of the strongest agricultural lenders in the area positions us to continue serving Arkansans through whatever economic adversity lays ahead in the next 100 years, and beyond. From Arkansas FFA and Arkansas 4-H, to youth loans for show animals, to special loan programs for young,
beginning farmers, you can trust that your Farm Credit is committed to strengthening the future of rural western Arkansas and the rural lifestyle. Our History and Purpose 1916 – President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation creating the Federal Land Bank System because our government saw an important need to protect and ensure reliable create for farmers and rural America. 2016–Our charge remains the same today: to provide a competitive member-owned alternative to traditional lenders. As a financial cooperative, we’re owned by the very members we serve. Members who have a vote and a voice in how their cooperative does business. As member-owners, our customers also share in the profits when the association has a good year. Western
Arkansas members have shared more than $93 million in Patronage Cash since 1997. Celebrating 100 Years – Nationally Farm Credit conducted a national Fresh Perspectives contest to identify the top 100 leaders shaping the future of rural America and agriculture. Our own western Arkansas member and director, Troy Buck, was selected as one of the top ten people in the country who are leaders in agriculture education and community involvement. We celebrate Mr. Buck’s accomplishments and are proud to have western Arkansas represented as a part of this national contest. Troy is the only person from Arkansas honored with this designation. Farm Credit is hosting an event in Washington, D.C. on June 16 to celebrate all 100 national honorees. 3
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Living the values of the blue vest
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OU’D BE HARD PRESSED to find anybody associated with Arkansas agriculture who doesn’t know the man in blue jeans, a white pearl snap shirt and blue FFA vest. Troy Buck, a vocational agriculture teacher at Centerpoint High School, is well-known for the outfit he favors. But more importantly, he’s known for his passion for teaching agriculture and molding young people’s lives. That blue vest is the armor of a humble man who lives his strong faith and FFA values daily. Mr. Buck was recently named a national Farm Credit Fresh Perspectives honoree for agricultural education and community impact, an honor that only 10 people in the United States received. However, this award only scrapes the surface of Mr. Buck’s accomplishments. He serves on the board of directors for both Farm Credit of Western Arkansas and Arkansas Farm Bureau, has been inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame, was honored three times as the state Agriculture Teacher of the Year and helped Amity FFA win the national Building our American Communities award for restoring the old school building and turning it into the Alpine Community Center. Yet with all of his accomplishments, Mr. Buck remains extremely humble. “I’m honored by the Farm Credit award, but this thing bothers me,” he said. “I don’t do this for me.” When Mr. Buck started teaching,
Valuable customer-service skills are the cornerstone of the meats lab Mr. Buck supervises.
The meats lab is a hands-on learning environment for Centerpoint High School students.
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he was the youngest agriculture teacher in the state. Today, he’s taught longer than any current agricultural educator in Arkansas. He completes his 55th year of teaching in May and has announced his retirement. Mr. Buck becomes emotional when asked what he will miss most about teaching. “The kids,” he said. “Seeing a kid learn to do something and the lights come on, it’s what I live for.” Mr. Buck’s dedication to his students is evident. Current senior Dustin Spears is a perfect example. Dustin announced he was dropping out of high school last year. But Mr. Buck saw potential in Dustin, and at the same time, his adherent need for motivation. Mr. Buck simply told Dustin he would not be dropping out. In fact, he said he would pick him up for school every morning if he had to. Dustin stayed in school with Mr. Buck’s encouragement and graduates this year. He’ll be just the second person in his family to do so. “I’m a big ol’ tough rascal,” Mr. Buck said. “But when Dustin goes across that stage, I’ll probably cry like a baby.” Mr. Buck’s impact and relationship with his students doesn’t end after graduation. On any given week, as many as three or four former students stop by the school to see him and catch up. Despite his success as a teacher and mentor, Mr. Buck said he never
wanted to teach. “I graduated high school at Amity and when I walked out of that auditorium, I said I would never step foot in a schoolhouse again as long as I live. And since then, I’ve been in school every time the bell rings,” he said as he laughed. Upon graduation, Mr. Buck said he told his dad he wanted to farm instead of going to college. Delighted, his dad bought 160 acres of sweetguminfested pasture and two chopping axes. Mr. Buck began helping his father clear the pasture. “About two weeks later, with my hands bleeding, I took a drink of water out of a fruit jar and said, ‘Dad, I’ve been thinking about going
to college.’ He said ‘Good. Where are you going?’ And I thought about Henderson and Ouachita which were right down the road where I could be home every weekend. Then I looked at him and said, ‘Fayetteville.’” “Less than a week after I left for college, he bought a chainsaw,” he said laughing. 55 years later, Mr. Buck is part of one of the most recognized vocational agriculture programs in the state. One of Centerpoint FFA’s crowning achievements is their meatprocessing lab, a program Mr. Buck developed and the only one of its kind in the state. The meat-processing lab gives students the hands-on opportunity
Above – Meat processing donations are key to the school’s FFA program funding. Below – Mr. Buck’s simplified lesson plan stresses safety, cleanliness and customer service.
to process deer, hogs and cattle from start to finish. Mr. Buck stresses that students learn as many parts of the process as possible. Some of his students have used these valuable skills to pursue meat-cutting careers. Mr. Buck said the meat processing lab generates about $30,000 for the Centerpoint FFA program annually. While there are suggested processing fees, the lab operates entirely on donations. He smiles as he remembers the generous donations of many customers over the years. He tells one story of a customer returning the following day with cookies for the students. When he questioned her, she said she’d been so impressed with how customerservice oriented the students were that she wanted to bake them cookies in appreciation. “Students today aren’t always learning how to answer the phone, address customers, take an order or problem solve,” he continued. “Our goal here is to prepare students to be able to have and keep a job one day. To be productive, contributing citizens.” “If we’ve done that, then we’ve done our job,” he concluded. The Centerpoint FFA program is well-supported by the community. A nod to Mr. Buck’s strong leadership, no doubt. Thanks to financial support, the program is able to supply an FFA jacket for every student who wants one and underwrites trips to leadership camps, FFA conventions and more. “This community supports us like you wouldn’t believe,” Mr. Buck said. “We have a pie auction every year and we take in $12,000 to $15,000 in an hour and a half. The story is that some fried apple pies two or three times brought in $100 apiece. They’re good pies,” he said chuckling. The money raised by the pie auction is testament to much more than how well the Centerpoint FFA Chapter can bake. It represents the faith the community has in the program. A faith that has been developed by Mr. Buck and his agricultural peers at Centerpoint High School. Jerry Fendley has been teaching agriculture with Mr. Buck for the last eight years and says that Mr. Buck
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Mr. Buck’s leadership is synonymous with the success of Arkansas’ only high school meats lab.
is one of the most well-known and respected men in the community. “Everyone grows up knowing
Celebrating 100 Years – Statewide Together, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas (serving western Arkansas), AgHeritage Farm Credit Services (serving central Arkansas) and Farm Credit Midsouth (serving eastern Arkansas) have joined together to promote Farm Credit’s 100-year anniversary. The 100-year logo and 100-year theme are on all statewide advertising. Together, the Farm Credit associations hosted a luncheon for Arkansas state legislators in late April to highlight our history and mission. In addition, we made a statewide $30,000 donation for three cooling trailers for The Foodshed Farmers’ Cooperative with the assistance of matching funds from AgriBank, our Farm Credit funding bank. The trailers make it possible for the fruit and vegetable cooperative to move produce across the state from growers to consumers for efficiently. Look for these Farm Credit logo-wrapped trailers on the interstate.
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who he is, so that expectation is built-in when students enter his classroom,” he said. “The respect level is
through the roof. Most of the students don’t want him to be disappointed, so even when he’s gone two or three days, when he comes back, it looks like he hasn’t been gone.” Although he’s leaving the classroom, Mr. Buck has created a legacy through not just the unique meatprocessing lab, but, more importantly, through the values, principles and morals he’s quietly and humbly instilled in his students. Mr. Buck is more than just a recognizable ag advocate in blue jeans, a white pearl snap shirt and blue FFA vest. Mr. Buck embodies all the best qualities of a teacher and mentor, and while he has been identified as one of the ten top agriculture educators nationally, everybody who knows him knows he’s really number one. Story by Lindsey Triplett
Above –Three cooling trailers are to be wrapped with both the Foodshed Co-op and Farm Credit logos, and will be seen soon criss-crossing the state as they pick up and deliver fresh produce. Below (L to R) – Arkansas Farm Credit CEOs James McJunkins (Farm Credit Midsouth), Greg Cole (AgHeritage Farm Credit Services) and Glen Manchester (Farm Credit of Western Arkansas).
Celebrating 100 years – Locally We are marking this significant milestone with our members, employees and directors, as well. Themed Customer Events Our 100-year celebration has been the theme of customer dinner events and Patronage Open Houses. A photo booth has made the party fun for all ages, and we’ve encouraged members to share their photos with the national Farm Credit hashtag #FARMCREDIT100.
Employee/Director 100-Hours of Community Service Challenge Beginning with our annual all employee/director meeting last October, our 105 employees and 15 directors were challenged to consider volunteering 100 hours of community service to commemorate Farm Credit’s 100-year commitment to rural America. The challenge runs through July. To date, participants have tallied 2,050 hours of volunteer service to everything from local animal shelters, volunteer fire departments, food pantries, Relay for Life, local fair boards, FFA and 4-H groups, agricultural organizations, children’s sports teams, and more. Farm Credit’s service to rural communities is tangible in the personal commitment made daily by our employees and directors.
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Legacy Member Recognition Perhaps the most visible demonstration of our 100-year celebration is the Legacy Member sign promotion. We’re encouraging member families with 25+ or 50+ year associations with Farm Credit to let us know so we can share a Legacy Member sign with them. Signs are springing up at member farms and homes across western Arkansas as members proudly support their Farm Credit ties! What better way to celebrate the history of Farm Credit than to recognize the long-term relationship we’re fortunate to have with so many western Arkansas families.
44 YEARS - Linda and Freddie Anderson of Arkadelphia.
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49 YEARS – Loan Officer Donna Cunningham with Travis K. and Linda Ballard and their son Travis K., II of Charleston.
25+ YEARS - Betty and Len Belanger of Foreman with loan officer Jonathan Shumate.
25+ YEARS – Loan Officer Anna Lester with John and Brenda Breashears of Dardanelle.
25+ YEARS – Director Troy Buck of Alpine.
53 YEARS – Loan Officer Jerry Nance with Bill Byers of Washington.
51 YEARS – Loan Officer Clay Lance with Rita and Don Byers of Washington.
33 YEARS – Loan Officer James Crabtree with parents David and Paula Crabtree of Alma and Loan Officer Andrea Leding.
50+ YEARS – Director Chuck Davis, Ashdown, with Regional Field Services Officer Jennifer Sansom and Loan Officer Jonathan Shumate.
40 YEARS – Loan Officer Donna Cunningham with Janet and John Eubanks of Paris.
56 YEARS – Teresa and Glen Ford of Hope with Loan Officer Jerry Nance. The Fords are multi-generational members.
35 YEARS – Regional Field Services Officer Jennifer Sansom with Johnny and Barbara Frady of Winthrop.
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53 YEARS – Donna Cunningham with Bill and Peggy Mainer and son Billy Ray Jr. and Carmen Mainer of Branch.
61 YEARS – Mabel Moore with Ralph and Reba Moore and children Allen, Denise and Curtis and their families, along with Loan Officer Daniel Keeton, Director Gene Pharr and EVP Tom Peebles. Connected for four generations, granddaughter Denise Sweat, Assistant VP in Nashville, has work for Farm Credit for 16 years.
50+ YEARS – Gene McKnight of Ashdown with Loan Officer Jonathan Shumate.
50+ YEARS – Dale Sansom of Ashdown with Loan Officer Jonathan Shumate. Dale’s daughter, Jennifer Sansom, is Regional Field Services Officer in Texarkana.
39 YEARS – Phillip and Vickie Ward of Casa. Their daughter, Nikki, is FSS at Danville.
37 YEARS – Loan Officer Donna Cunningham with two generations of the Schluterman family of Subiaco – Leon, Robin, Wesley, Doug, Andrea and Addison.
38 YEARS – Loan Officer Donna Cunningham with James and JoAnn Sory and Chad and Deidra Lunsford of Scranton.
71 YEARS – Loan Officer Rex Dollar with Noral and Janelle Stamps and son Brad. Brad is a third generation borrower – grandfather F.W. Stamps first did business with Farm Credit in Texas in 1945.
66 YEARS – Fred Vanzant of Lowell financed his original fruit farm in 1950.
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Future Legacy
2016 Statewide Young & Beginning Farmer Conference ORE THAN 40 YOUNG, BEGINning farmers from across Arkansas gathered in Little Rock in early February for a statewide training conference specifically designed for young, beginning producers. This was the first event of this type to be hosted by Arkansas Farm Credit associations. From row crop farmers in eastern Arkansas to poultry and cattle operators in western Arkansas, participants appreciated the opportunity to share experiences and farming challenges with peers from across the state. Member education is a valued cooperative principle and Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, AgHeritage Farm Credit Services and Farm Credit Midsouth worked together to plan and host the two-day event. 14 participants from each association enjoyed the conference and offered
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Farmers’ Market Promotion Grants Farm Credit sponsored the Arkansas Agriculture Department’s 2016 Farmers’ Market Promotion Grant program. 21 farmers’ markets across the state earned grants that help pay for signage and publicity to increase awareness of the local markets and their offerings. Markets awarded grants in our area: Bentonville Farmers’ Market Benton County Fort Smith Farmers’ Market Sebastian County Gateway Farmers’ Market Miller County Harrison Farmers’ Market Newton County Howard County Farmers’ Market Howard County Pope County Farmers’ Market Pope County Rogers Farmers’ Market Benton County Fayetteville Farmers’ Market Washington County Siloam Springs Farmers’ Market
valuable feedback that will help structure similar training events in the future. The CEO for each association addressed topics of interest to young producers: Glen Manchester, CEO, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas – Farm Credit’s History of Supporting Rural America in Good Economic Times, and Bad Greg Cole, CEO, AgHeritage Farm Credit Services – Why this is a Good Time to be a part of Arkansas Agriculture James McJunkins, CEO, Farm Credit Midsouth – The Advantages of Farm Credit’s Cooperative Business Model
Benton County Springdale Farmer’s Market Washington County The Dirty Farmers Community Market Van Buren County White Street Saturday Market
Keynote speaker, Dr. Thomas Payne, Dean and Professor of Finance, College of Business at Tennessee Tech University, elaborated on agribusiness and finance trends and highlighted the five keys to financially sustainable agriculture. When asked to evaluate the opportunity, participants agreed that access to the three CEOs’ almost 100 years of combined Farm Credit lending expertise made the conference a valuable and memorable experience. CEOs made themselves available for questions throughout the conference. If you are a young (35-years-old, or younger), beginning (farming 10 years, or less) farmer and are interested in possibly participating in a similar conference in the future, please contact Jill Robertson at jill. robertson@farmcredit.com, or 479968-1434, ext. 5106.
Carroll County Farm Credit, along with matching funds from AgriBank, made an $8,000 statewide commitment to the farmers’ market grant program.
Now financing STORM SHELTERS!
Another example of how we’re Enriching rural life.™ Easy, low-interest storm shelter loans are available to *eligible borrowers. We’re saddened by the number of Arkansans who have lost their lives in tornadoes in recent years. We hope these storm shelter loans will enable more rural western Arkansans to protect their families from severe weather and tornadoes. • For the purchase and installation of professionally manufactured storm shelters • Up to $7,500 per storm shelter • 3, 5 and 7-year loan options • Low, fixed rates • Quick credit approval (in a matter of minutes, in most cases) * Eligible borrowers reside on farms or in homes in the country in one of the 41 counties served by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.
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COULD YOU USE OR
TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT FARM CREDIT YOU RECEIVE A $100 REWARD CHECK EACH TIME A PERSON YOU REFER CLOSES A LOAN WITH US* YOUR NAME IS ENTERED INTO OUR $1,000 GRAND PRIZE DRAWING ON NOVEMBER 1* *FEDERAL COMPLIANCE REGULATIONS PROHIBIT US FROM INCLUDING REFERRALS FOR HOME/CONSUMER LOANS
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US GROW WITH YOUR REFERRALS!
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2016 Western Arkansas Photo Contest Cash Prizes in Youth (up to age 18) & Adult Divisions 1st Place - $300 2nd Place - $200 3rd Place - $100
Theme: The things that make rural western Arkansas the best place to live! Time to think about the best photos you’ve been taking around the farm, of the kids or at your favorite community event. Once again, we’re looking for a glimpse at all the things that make rural western Arkansas the best place to live, any season of the year. This year, our contest is open to all amateur photographers in our 41-county western Arkansas territory. Both members and non-members qualify, so tell your friends. Photos must be submitted digitally, online. Complete details at www.myaglender.com. Contest Deadline: Friday, September 16, 2016.
Military Loan Program; current Military and *Prior Service *with honorable discharge Farm Credit respects the commitment made by military personnel and their families and has a new Military Loan Program in appreciation of U.S. military service. This Military Loan Program is designed to assist current military and prior service personnel from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces with the purchase of farms of any size, land, homes in the country, and other needs Farm Credit typically finances. Applicants must meet existing credit and repayment standards. Military Loan Program Benefits: •50 BPS interest rate discount on fixed-rate loans (off of qualified tier) •Discount applies on the first $200,000 of loan amount, *for the life of the loan •If the loan is greater than $200,000 (not including stock and fees) two notes will be prepared and the second note will have market interest rate without the discount. •No origination fees *Discount rate is for the life of the loan. This is a change from what we announced previously Current military personnel with proof of CAC (ID card) and persons honorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. military (with proof of Department of Defense form #214, member copy #4), qualify.
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Macie Adams U of A – Fort Smith Dental Hygiene/Spanish
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Avery Cook Arkansas Tech University Ag Business
Kenley Bramall U of Arkansas Ag Business/Communications
Haley Burden Arkansas Tech University Architecture
Bodie Cotter U of Arkansas Crop Science/Ag Education
Cole Crumpacker U of Arkansas Poultry Science/Pre-Vet
Haley Harriman U of Arkansas Poultry Science/Ag Business
Reid Hellums Henderson State Natural Resource Management
Emily Jobe Arkansas Tech University Ag Education
Carol Ann McAfee National Park College Ag Communications
Nathan Turner Arkansas Tech University Ag Business
Baxter Wallis Arkansas Tech University Ag Business/Animal Science
Brayden Burnett U of Arkansas Ag Business
Aaryn Gray Arkansas Tech University Pre-Vet/Animal Science
Rachel Lawrence U of A – Fort Smith Nursing
Kinsey Watkins Southern Arkansas University Ag Business
$240,000 in Scholarships Awarded Since 1998
20 Area Youth Earn $1,000 Awards
Michaela Caudle Southern Arkansas University Pre-Vet
Farm Credit of Western Arkansas awarded $20,000 in academic scholarships to some of western Arkansas’ most talented young people this spring. A panel of judges looked at academic performance, school and community leadership, extracurricular activities and agricultural interests and pursuits to formulate the list of 2016 recipients. This year’s winners include FFA and 4-H officers, school leaders, athletes, community volunteers and advocates for agriculture. They’ve all proved themselves as leaders among their peers. Some were raised on farms and have future career aspirations that include farming or the rural lifestyle. Others value agriculture, but are following less agricultural career paths. All are making notable contributions in their communities and schools. We proudly support these students, their accomplishments and all they will achieve through education. Thank you for representing Farm Credit on campuses across the state and region.
Jack Gray U of A – Fort Smith Business
2017 Scholarship Opportunities • Youth loan members, dependents of members and grandchildren of current members qualify. (A current member is defined as having an active loan as of January 1, 2017.) • Graduating high school seniors and current college students with at least one year of education remaining, and graduate students with at least one year of education remaining all qualify. Allie Marshall Henderson State Pre-Dental
• High school seniors must have an ACT score of 20, or higher, and college students must have at least a 3.0 GPA to qualify. • Leadership skills and agricultural and extra-curricular achievements must be detailed on the application form. • Complete details and 2017 application form available at myaglender. com in January.
Ali Whisenhunt Henderson State Education F A R M I N G
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MEMBERS SHARE $7.5 MILLION THIS YEAR At Farm Credit, our customers are owners and they share in the profits when we have a good year. That makes us different than other lenders and we think that’s a very good thing. $7.5 million went back into western Arkansas Farm Credit member-owners’ hands this spring. Our members have shared more than $93 million in Patronage Cash since 1997.
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NEWS BRIEFS
New Faces Debi Ketten joined the Farm Credit team in early January as a Financial Services Specialist in the Fort Smith branch. Debi is a Sebastian County native and attended the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. She brings 11 years of title work experience to Farm Credit.
Debi Ketten
Christina Roling
Christina Roling became a roving Financial Services Specialist in northwest Arkansas in mid-April. Raised in Naples, FL, she now resides in Bentonville with husband Taylor. Her family raises cattle, hogs and row crops in Westphalia, MO and she has a degree in ag business from Truman State University. Jacey Jaggers joined Farm Credit as a Financial Services Specialist in Texarkana in March. She, husband Chris and their daughter Chesney (19-months) live in Maud, TX. She grew up on a dairy, hog and poultry farm in Foreman and is studying business administration at Texarkana Community College. She has four years of banking experience.
Jacey Jaggers
Tina Criswell
Tina Criswell was welcomed as Financial Services Specialist in Fort Smith in early April. She has held a variety of positions during her 25year career in banking, all of which will be an asset to her work at Farm Credit. Tina and her husband Steve have two sons, Hayden and Hunter.
Changing Places Joyce Ridenour of the Fort Smith branch, has transitioned to a new position as Loan Document Specialist. Joyce’s 15 years of experience as a Financial Services Specialist are an asset in her new role.
Joyce Ridenour
Madison Cox
Madison Cox accepted the position of Financial Services Specialist at the Hope branch in March. She previously worked as a roving FSS in the southern branch offices and has been with Farm Credit for more than five years.
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NEWS BRIEFS Financial Services Specialist Sarah Myers moved from the Hope branch to the Nashville branch office in early March. Sarah has been a part of the Farm Credit team since 2009. Jennifer Day of the Texarkana branch assumed her new responsibilities as Assistant Vice President in March. Jennifer will focus on the country home market in Little River, Miller and Layfayette Counties. She has been with Farm Credit for almost four years.
Sarah Myers
Jennifer Sansom is the new Regional Field Services Officer for the association’s southern region. Jennifer began her Farm Credit career in 2012.
2016 Century Farm Program Families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years are invited to apply as an Arkansas Agriculture Department Century Farm. www.aad.arkansas. gov, or call 501-683-4851.
Follow us on Social Media
Jennifer Day
Want to stay connected with happenings across western Arkansas? Simple. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We’re listed as “Farm Credit Western Arkansas” on each platform. Share what’s happening in your area, or just a photo wearing your favorite Farm Credit tshirt or hat.
AR Grown School Garden Contest Sponsored by the Arkansas Agriculture Department and Farm Credit, schools can enter to win $3,000 in prize money. Applications due August 31. www.aad.arkansas.gov.
Jennifer Sansom
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The convenience of online banking Want an easy way to check your account or make a payment 24/7? Just go to myaglender.com and sign up for online banking. It’s quick and your payment posts the following day, saving you a check and a stamp!
Open House drawing winner cools it Travis Poole (below) looking cool with the new YETI cooler he won at the Fort Smith/Alma Open House events in February. The new Sebastian and Crawford County locations offered tours of their new buildings as a part of Patronage Open House festivities.
New Branch Locations To better serve our customer needs in northwest Arkansas, we’ve moved from our former Fayetteville location to three new locations across
Washington and Madison Counties. The new office on Hwy 412 West in Tontitown (next to the Sonic) opened in February. New offices are under construction and slated to open in
Prairie Grove and Huntsville early this summer. Same experienced staff, just more locations to more conveniently serve our members.
The Tontitown branch office invites you to their official Open House event on Tuesday, June 7 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Come visit the staff and tour the new office!
Western Arkansas CEO Glen Manchester (left) and Director Ron Hubbard (center), along with fellow Farm Credit Directors from across Arkansas, met with U.S. Senator John Boozman in Washington, D.C. in February. Farm Credit CEOs and directors visited all Arkansas congress members to emphasize Farm Credit’s strong 100-year history and promote our legislative needs as we continue to serve rural America today, and in the future.
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Enriching rural life. TM Let Farm Credit’s industry-leading knowledge, competitive products, and 100 years of agricultural and rural financing experience help you!
OF WESTERN ARKANSAS
3115 W. 2nd Court, Russellville, AR 72801
PRESRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID CAROL STREAM, IL PERMIT NO. 1369
• Real estate, operating, and equipment loans for farms • Timberland • Forest Products/ Processing/ Marketing • Truck and SUV leases • Home Mortgages in the country • Home construction loans • Mortgage, credit, life and disability insurance • Term-Life insurance protection • Farmland appraisals
Left to Right – Vice President Jerry Nance and Financial Services Specialist Jordan Jones of the Hope branch are pictured with Jordan’s mother Jan and Jan’s parents Kathryn and Denney Dickinson of Hope. The Dickinson family has a long and proud Farm Credit affiliation. The Dickinsons’ first Farm Credit loan was 54 years ago with Benny Coleman, a long-time and highly respected loan officer in the Hope area. Jan continues to work on her parents’ farm. Kathryn is Benny Coleman’s daughter, which means that employee Jordan Jones is the fourth generation to have a Farm Credit connection. Jerry Nance briefly worked with Jordan’s great-grandfather Benny Coleman before his retirement in 1986. We’re celebrating long-time ties to Farm Credit as a part of our centennial celebration. (Please see page 8)
PARTING SHOT
