2018 Ag Agency Dashboard

Farm Credit Bank of Texas 2018: Q1 & Q2 AG AGENC Y DASHBOARD

1

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

WIESBTSRIITCETS A

2017 8 D DVERTISING

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COMPLETED PROJECTS

Find Farm Credit:

Legacy Ag Credit:

Launched the redesigned district marketing portal website, which is designed to refer users to association websites with its Find-a-Lender functionality.

Launched the redesigned website

FINDFARMCREDIT.COM

35,317visits 418

from social media

IN PROGRESS

WEBSITE MAINTENANCE

• Rebuilding AgTexas to use the new CMS software • Central Texas Farm Credit redesign • Alabama Ag Credit redesign

824 410

total maintenance events by associations using CMS 1

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

st 21nd Q QU U AA RR TT EE RR

A PO S I 2 0 1 87 DN I SNTUA R I CLTRAE D V ERRT T SING

800

COPIES

FARM CREDIT BANK OF TEXAS ANNUAL REPORT

formatting through distribution

2 0 1 7

A N N U A L

R E P O R T

Farm Credit Bank of Texas 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 annual report Part of the Farm Credit System

2 017

2 0 17

A N N U A L

R E P O R T

Together we’re better.

A NN U A L

R E P O R T

2017 A N N UA L R E P O R T D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 17

2017 Annual Report

2017

ANNUAL REPORT

Finan cing the

Part of the Farm Credit System

Part of the Farm Credit System

Wide-Open Space

s

2017 Annual Report-v2.indd 2

Part of the Farm Credit System

3/15/18 4:08 PM

2017 annual report

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

December 31, 2017

2 0 1 7

A N N U A L

R E P O R T

We Understand the Lay of the Land

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Part of the Farm Credit System

Begin.

Grow.

Improve.

Hunt.

62,205

December 31, 2017

Unwind.

Part of the Farm Credit System

2017AnnualReportCover1.indd 1

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Part of the Farm Credit System

3/2/18 3:18 PM

COPIES

total copies distributed for 13 associations

ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORTS

format/edit/proofread/print/distribute/Web post

13 7

ASSOCIATION REPORTS

CUSTOM REPORTS

2

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

SDOI SCTI A 2 0 1 87 R ILCM T EADDIVAE RTISING

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TOPICS SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA LinkedIn

3,562 FOLLOWERS

Q4: 3,426 

JANUARY Bank/District/System News: • Veterans in Farm Bill discussion • FSA loan guarantee video with Capital Farm Credit customer • FCBT service awards Nationally Declared Special Days/Weeks/Months: • Happy New Year • MLK Day FCBT Job Postings: 7

HRM takes the lead in recruitment on the LinkedIn platform.

FEBRUARY Bank/District News: • Jimmy Dodson re-elected vice chairman of the Farm Credit Council • 2017 FCBT financial results • Tim McDonald Farm Credit testimonial video • Nisha Rocap hired

Facebook

• Rodeo Austin Cowboy Breakfast promo Nationally Declared Special Days/Weeks/Months: • National FFA Week

892 LIKES

Q4: 854 

FCBT Job Postings: 2 MARCH Bank/District/System News: • Thomas Ringler hired • FCBT annual report posted Bank/District/System Sponsorships:• Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Youth Contest winners • National Ag Day/National Ag Week • International Women’s Day • Rodeo Austin Cowboy Breakfast • Farm Credit Mission video Nationally Declared Special Days/Months: • Plant a Flower Day • National Puppy Day

Twitter

(FCBT employee event) FCBT Job Postings: 2

676 FOLLOWERS

Q4: 659

Instagram

274

POPULAR POSTS:

National Ag Day; link to FCBT jobs; Kristin Stanley interview with KVUE at Cowboy Breakfast

Pinterest

116

FOLLOWERS

FOLLOWERS

Q4: 253

Q4: 113

3

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

MIESETTRIINCGTSA|DSVPEORNTSI SOIRNSGH I P S | CO M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E 2 0 1 8 D 7

st 21nd Q QU U AA RR TT EE RR

DISTRICT SPONSORSHIPS

HOSTED

• Rodeo Austin Cowboy Breakfast • Rodeo Austin Tie Down Roping

• IT System Symposium, Austin • Director Advancement Program, Hilton Head, S.C. • Director Advancement Program, Plano, Texas

AWA R D S

NAMA

(National Agri-Marketing Association) 2017 Regional Best of NAMA Awards • First place: Landscapes magazine • Second place: Common Ground Newsletter

NCFC

(National Council of Farmer Cooperatives): 2017 Cooperative Information Fair • First place: Landscapes magazine • Third place: 2016 Farm Credit Bank of Texas Annual Report • Third place: Brenham Hay and Wildflowers photo by Kanokwalee Pusitanun • Third place: Texas Farm Credit website redesign • Honorable mention: Common Ground newsletter

1 1 st

st

commonground OCT. 2017

A PUBLICATION FOR AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF

THE TEXAS FARM CREDIT DISTRICT

®

F A R M

C R E D I T

B A N K

O F

T E X A S

CONTENTS click on article to jump to story

Coming Together in Crisis

Coming Together 1 CEO Letter 5 Financials 6 Farm Credit Week 7 One Mission. Many Voices. 9

Personnel News 10 2 0 1 6

A N N U A L

R E P O R T

Associations on the Move 13 Meeting/Training Calender 14

3

rd

3

rd

2

Capital Farm Credit and Southern AgCredit employees teamed together to feed thousands of hurricane victims, first responders and others in Silsbee, Texas, north of Beaumont. t 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Sept. 5, Lylla Joe’s alarm clock went off, signaling the start of what would be a long and unforgettable day. The Southern AgCredit marketing specialist sprang from her bed, quickly dressed and hurried to join a dozen of her co-workers at their office in Ridgeland, Miss.

Six hours and almost 400 miles later, the group arrived in Silsbee, Texas, with 10,000 pounds of chicken in tow — ready to partner with a Capital Farm Credit team to serve hot meals to locals who were impacted by Hurricane Harvey in southeast Texas.

In years past, other associations had rushed to help Mississippi when hurricanes struck that state. This time, Mississippi was spared, but Southern AgCredit employees didn’t just sit back and count their blessings.

nd

“We knew it was our time to help,” Joe said.

In the weeks after Hurricane Harvey slammed into Texas’s Gulf Coast, images of people helping people flooded our televisions, newspapers and social media. The generous spirit and caring nature was no different within the Farm Credit family.

“There has been an outpouring of calls, texts and e-mails sent our way in the wake

HM

Lending support to rural America

NEX T

1

3

rd 4

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

T RI SATDRIITCI TO N D AA D LV EMRETDI SI A I NHGI G H L I G H T S 2 0 1 8 7

CIRCULATION

st 21nd Q QU U AA RR TT EE RR

60,000

TEXAS LAND MAGAZINE Spring 2018 FEATURE ADVERTORIAL (3 pages) written

by Ag Agency staff on behalf of the district.

Article Title: Peace of Mind on the Ranch: Livestock insurance helps protect against weather and market risks.

CIRCULATION

25,000

BRANGUS JOURNAL/FRONTLINE BEEF PRODUCER Spring 2018 (nationwide publication) Reprinted ONE LANDSCAPES WINTER 2017 FEATURE ARTICLE Article Title: Building a Brand

132

about FCBT and district associations were picked up. Media coverage included community involvement, MEDIA ARTICLES Young Leaders, sponsorships, scholFCBT/District arships, Dodson/Little re-election, Kurt Thomas retirement, Sloan new CCO, Nisha Rocap new FCBT audit executive, Thomas Ringler new FCBT vice president of SOX compliance, new hires, employee profile, year-end financials and association patronage.

16

PRESS RELEASES

12 for associations new hires, Young Leaders, patronage, office openings, promotions and community involvement

4 for FCBT Dodson and Little re-elected, year-end financials, Nisha Rocap hired as chief audit executive, Thomas Ringler hired as vice president of SOX compliance

PAT R O N AG E P R O M OT I O N S The Ag Agency served 13 associations mainly during the 3-month patronage distribution season (February through early April).

13 associations

56,200

statement stuffers

distributed with checks to borrower-members.

Look who’s in your corner.

We’re sending

money back to you.

Central Texas Farm Credit is sending you a patronage refund.

Your patronage check is enclosed.

The lender that pays you back

Panhandle-Plains 2018 Patronage stuffer -mailbox - white bg.indd 1

2/20/2018 9:59:13 AM

5

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

DISTRICT ADVERTISING 2017 8

st 21nd Q QU U AA RR TT EE RR

FIND FARM CREDIT District Ad Campaign

3

Are we there yet?

2018 PUBLICATIONS Texas Land magazine

Financing for: Farms and Ranches Ag Production|Agribusiness Rural Real Estate|Country Homes

FindFarmCredit.com FARM CREDIT

®

Supporting Rural Communities and Agriculture for Over100 Years

7,656

FULL-PAGE PLACEMENTS

16,736

CLICKS

10,505

WEB BANNERS LANDS OF AMERICA LEADS SENT DIRECTLY TO ASSOCIATIONS

Texas Land magazine and website Lands of America Land and Farm

CLICKS

(to FindFarmCredit.com)

A S S O C I AT I O N A D V E R T I S I N G

112

TOTAL PLACEMENTS

CONTINUING THE TRADITION OF

FAMILY VALUES

Its not “land,” it’s potential.

FINANCING FOR:

Loans custom-tailored to fit your financing needs.

R ECR EA TI ON A L PR OPER TY

At Capital Farm Credit, we believe in the

R U R A L H OM ES

Texas rancher. We work hard to earn your trust and keep your business. Whether you’re

R U R A L R EA L ESTA TE

looking to finance ranchland or improve your

EQU I PM EN T

operation, our team of experts is here to help

ON DEMAND

FA R M OR R A N CH OPER A TI ON S

you grow. We even have special programs for beginning farmers, ranchers and veterans.

And as a cooperative, our patronage dividend program has returned more than

Together we’re better.

half a billion dollars over the last decade.

Partnership that really pays.

A GR I B U SI N ESSES

Association ads requested on short notice, not part of a campaign

Print/Web Alabama Ag Credit............................................6 Alabama Farm Credit.......................................9 Capital Farm Credit........................................28 Legacy Ag Credit................................................2 Lone Star Ag Credit........................................15 Louisiana Land Bank........................................1

LoneStarAgCredit.com

capitalfarmcredit.com | 877.944.5500 NMLS493828

FINANCING YOUR PIECE OF TEXAS

Looking for rural real estate financing?

Call Alabama Farm Credit We are specialists in financing:

Billboard Capital Farm Credit...........................................1

• • • • • • •

Timberland Farmland Recreational property Country homes and homesites Farm operating expenses Equipment Agribusiness operations

SCHEDULED CAMPAIGNS Alabama Associations.....................................7 Lone Star Ag Credit........................................43

Loan Officers: Jim Tollison

Andrew Pinyan

Jim.Tollison@AlabamaFarmCredit.com

Andrew.Pinyan@AlabamaFarmCredit.com

Talladega Branch Part of the Farm Credit System

(256) 362-0507 • AlabamaFarmCredit.com

6

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

AG UE 8 D I S AG T R IECNTCAYDJVOEBR R TE I SQI N GS T S V I A H U B O N L I N E U T I L I T Y 2 0 1 7

147

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111 36

ASSOCIATION JOB REQUESTS

TOTAL JOB REQUESTS

BANK JOB REQUESTS

BANK/DISTRICT PROJECTS

Sierra Brava Lodge Dove Hunt with 5-Star Expeditions in Argentina

Farm Credit Bank of Texas

Annual Stockholders Meeting donated by

Washington, D.C.

Tenth District Farm Credit Council

Date

4801 Plaza on the Lake Dr. Austin, Texas 78746

4/6/2018

New York City

Farm Credit

Here’s what past young leaders say:

Farm Credit Bank of Texas

Annual Stockholders Meeting

Pay To The Order Of

Sweepstakes Contest Winner

April 4-6, 2018 San Antonio, Texas

Memo:

Congratulations!

$ 1,000.00“

The trip was a wonderful opportunity for my wife and me to gain an understanding of how the Farm Credit System works. We were very new borrowers, and went on this trip with minimal knowledge of where our money comes from and how it gets to us. Thanks to this trip, all of those questions have been answered.

” I really enjoyed touring the nation’s capital and being “able to see our government in action. It was a real honor to meet and visit with our congressman. ” had such a wonderful time participating in the Young Tenth District Farm Credit Council “WeLeaders Program. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience

YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM Sponsored by the

Tenth District Farm Credit Council

where we learned so much about Farm Credit, saw amazing sights and developed some new friendships.

”

We’re looking for a few young leaders. #FarmCreditYLP

Part of the Farm Credit System

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

- Presiding Officer’s Guide/script

- Sweepstakes flyer

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

- Save-the-date postcard

- Sweepstakes entry form

• Capitol Hill visit handouts (13)

- Signage

• Board phone card

• Young Leaders Program brochure mailing

- Slideshow presentations (3)

• Editorial work (2)

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

PAC-related items

• Intranet articles (6)

• Ag Agency dashboard report

- Auction item display posters

• Photography, FCBT events (3)

• Annual meeting collateral

- Auction item photography

• Report envelope

- Academy of Honor scroll

- Auction rules sheet

• Staff business cards (13)

- Invitation mailed to directors/staff

- Auction announcement flyer

CREDIT DIVISION

- Meeting program

- Gift certificates

• Proofreading of documents (2)

- Meeting survey card

- Live auction brochure

FINANCE DIVISION

- Name badge

- Live auction slideshow

• Slideshow presentation template

- Name badge information card

- Live auction plan meeting

• Proofreading of documents (2)

- Online meeting survey

- Reception invitation

- Online registration site

- Silent auction flyer 7

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

AS I ODNV EPRRTI N CO D I SSTORCI ICAT T A I STI N G L L AT E R A L & OT H E R P R O J E C T S 2 0 1 8 7

The inside scoop

st 21nd Q QU U AA RR TT EE RR

YOU’RE

FOR ALABAMA AG CREDIT EMPLOYEES | FEBRUARY 2018 Make Tomorrow Better Than Today

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS

INVITED!

Healthy For Good is a revolutionary movement to inspire you to create lasting change in your health and your life, one small step at a time. The approach is simple: Eat smart. Add color.

Move more. Be well.

Passion Forward

ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING!

Click on the link below for a “Healthy For Good” video from the American Heart Association.

April 12, 2018

https://youtu.be/EfER2L74pd0

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Your Partner for

You are cordially invited to our

Annual Customer Appreciation Dinnner

Land Financing fredericksburg

Thursday, April 26, 2018 6:30 p.m.

Complimentary Dinner & Cocktails Live Music - Casual Dress - Adults only RSVP:

866.992.2110

capitalfarmcredit.com | NMLS493828

(318) 442-8896 Sonya.King@LouisianaLandBank.com Please respond by April 18, 2018

Together we’re better.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Partnership that really pays.

Los Pinos Wedding and Events Center 770 Fish Hatchery Road Forest Hill, Louisiana 71430

2017

Louisiana Land Bank Stockholders

$7,000,000

215 West Elm P.O. Box 511 Coleman, Texas 76834 Phone (325) 625.2165 Fax (325) 625.2166 www.ranchmoney.com

Sheri Weldon

Seven Million Dollars and 00/100’s

Credit Analyst Associate sheri.weldon@ranchmoney.com

Cash Patronage

AG NEW MEXICO

CENTRAL TEXAS FARM CREDIT

MISSISSIPPI LAND BANK

• Business card

• Business cards (5)

• Annual Meeting Information Statement

• Landscapes print, member gift

• Landscapes print, member gift

• Stationery

• Radio script

• Landscapes print, member gift

ALABAMA AG CREDIT

LEGACY AG CREDIT

PLAINS LAND BANK

• Employee newsletters (3)

• Annual Meeting Information Statement

• Landscapes print, member gift

• Writing assistance

mailing

mailing

TEXAS FARM CREDIT

ALABAMA FARM CREDIT

LONE STAR AG CREDIT

• Ballot mailing

• Invitation

• Landscapes print, member gift

• Booklet

• Landscapes print, member gift

LOUISIANA LAND BANK

• Landscapes print, member gift

CAPITAL FARM CREDIT

• Big check

• Postcard

• Banner

• Invitation

• Writing assistance

• Landscapes print, member gift

• Landscapes print, member gift

• Misc. file sharing

• Postcard 8

2

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

T RI SATDRIITCI TO N D AA D LV EMRETDI SI A I NHGI G H L I G H T S 2 0 1 8 7

CIRCULATION

60,000

TEXAS LAND MAGAZINE Summer 2018

FEATURE ADVERTORIAL (2 pages) written by Ag Agency staff on behalf of the district.

Article Title: What the New Tax Law Means for Agriculture and Rural Landowners

CIRCULATION

2nd Q U A R T E R

SPEC IAL N OTE: Becau se of i nteres article t in th ’s cont is ent, La record nd.com ed tha t the a gener rticle ated t h e site’s most traffic on on (June e day 6, 201 8) at 5 ,969 v isits.

5,000

ONE LANDSCAPES WINTER 2017 FEATURE ARTICLE titled “A Spirited Venture,” an article featuring Lone Star Ag Credit Director John Sawyer, was reprinted under the title “Farmer Finds New Markets for Generations-Old Crops” in the Hillsboro Reporter on April 5, 2018.

159

about FCBT and district associations were picked MEDIA ARTICLES up. Media covFCBT/District erage included community involvement, patronage, sponsorships including TALL program, scholarships, 1st quarter financials, new hires, Mike Garnett Academy of Honor, Alabama Farm Credit’s CFO Karri Sumrall interviewed regarding diversity and inclusion, former FCBT director B.L.

Smith’s obituary, Heritage Land Bank announces possible security breach involving its lockbox payment processing service, Mississippi Land Bank board chair Abbott Myers quoted on trade war and ag land prices, Louisiana Land Bank CEO Stephen Austin quoted on Louisiana Century Farm Award recipients, Alabama Ag Credit VP Ben Elliott writes article on 12 tips for developing a hunting lease agreement)

30

PRESS RELEASES

28 for associations (new hires, patronage, promotions, office groundbreaking, scholarships, director elections and re-elections) and 2 for FCBT (Mike Garnett Academy of Honor, FCBT 1st quarter financials) 1

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

nd 2nd QUARTER

LDAI SNTDRSI C A 2 0 1 87 T PAEDSV ERTISING

LANDSCAPES MAGAZINE – SUMMER 2018, 20TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

commonground

VOL. 20, NO. 1

68,286

COMMON GROUND NEWSLETTER

A PUBLICATION FOR AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF

COPIES distributed to

customers, prospects and employees

Navigating the Compliance Web New Bank Department Will Help Support Associations

14

CUSTOM VERSIONS (including 13 custom association versions)

159

PAGES CREATED – shell features, center supplements and covers

Each association magazine includes either a 4- or 8-page custom center supplement.

he word compliance can have different meanings for different folks.

“When people hear the word compliance, they often associate it with consumer laws and regulations,” said Susan Wallar, recently retired Farm Credit Bank of Texas chief audit executive. “But that’s not what the bank’s new compliance department is about.”

Rather, the new department, which was established in December, will focus on helping association and bank staff navigate the requirements and responsibilities around internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) and the System ICFR Framework.

“There’s a lot that associations have to deal with, and we want to be a resource for them,” said Thomas Ringler, FCBT vice president of SOX compliance, who heads the department. “I see our role as providing guidance and coaching.”

The new compliance department’s three main functions are to:

• •

support the bank’s ICFR efforts

•

partner with the bank’s IT division on the bank’s Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 efforts

support associations’ ICFR work and assess the ICFR programs as defined by the general financing agreement (GFA)

THE TEXAS FARM CREDIT DISTRICT

“Controls is an area of specialized knowledge, so by dedicating a team to that work, the bank will be able to stay abreast of the regulatory environment and all the changes coming along, and share that knowledge with our associations.”

The new bank department will be staffed

by Ringler and three compliance professionals — Risk Assurance Director Sameer Khan, Senior SOX Compliance Analyst Scott Weingarten and another analyst, yet to be hired. As part of their effort to ensure each association is prepared to meet the GFA covenant on ICFR, the team is visiting each association this spring.

As of Jan. 1, 2018, all associations are required to comply with the ICFR framework — a measure that is comparable to commercial banks’ compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The bank, in turn, must ensure that associations are complying with their general financing agreement.

“Compliance requirements — whether due to ICFR, operational risk or other requirements — are only going to increase over time,” said Ringler. “One of my goals is to make sure that we’re doing things effectively and efficiently, such as automating processes and iden– Thomas Ringler tifying areas where associations may rely on controls the bank is performing.”

There’s a lot that associations have to deal with, and we want to be a resource for them.”

“The bank recognized a need for a dedicated compliance team, separate from the audit staff, after the Farm Credit System adopted an ICFR framework,” said Wallar.

Prior to joining the bank, Ringler, who jokingly refers to himself as a recovering auditor, worked with the bank as a member of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) team that conducted SOC reviews and the audit of IT controls for the district.

Lending support to rural America

APRIL 2018

APRIL ISSUE

2,825

copies distributed to all district employees, directors and retirees 2

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

FDIINSA NICCITA LA D RE R ITSSI 2 0 1 87 TR VPE O RT NG

2nd Q U A R T E R

DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT

BANK AND DISTRICT QUARTERLY REPORTS

conception through distribution

formatted, web-posted, printed and distributed

Texas Farm Credit District 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

FarTex m Cre asdit Ban Farm k of Cre Tex dit as District 2018 FIRST

QUAR TER REPO

MARC H 31,

1,500

dit Cre s Farmk of Texa Ban 20 18

FIR ST

QU AR

MA RC

TE R

H 31,

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20 18

2018

RT

310

FCBT 56-page quarterly report

700

TEXAS DISTRICT 48-page quarterly report

copies

AWA R D S

2018 COOPERATIVE COMMUNICATORS ASSOCIATION (CCA) COMMUNICATIONS CONTEST

COOPERATIVE COMMUNICATORS ASSOCIATION LOGO CONTEST 2017

• 1st Place, Best Use of Photos in a Publication: Landscapes Magazine

1st Place: Lynette Alcorn

1

• 3rd Place, Scenic/Pictorial: Bluebonnet Sunset photo

by Kanokwalee Pusitanun

st

• 3rd Place, Member Publication: Landscapes Magazine

3

rd

1 3 st

rd

3

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

SDOI SCTI A 2 0 1 87 R ILCM T EADDIVAE RTISING

2nd Q U A R T E R

TOPICS SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA LinkedIn

3,676 FOLLOWERS

Q1: 3,562  HRM takes the lead in recruitment on the LinkedIn platform.

APRIL Bank/District/System News: Anniversary of FLB of Houston receives charter; Mike Garnett inducted into FCBT Academy of Honor; B.L. Smith passes away Brand Awareness: Farm Credit supports producers of all sizes and types video; Farm Credit supports Farm Bill Community Involvement/Sponsorships/Scholarships: FCBT employees speak at Prospanica Project Management event; FCBT employees volunteer at Sustainable Food Center Industry News: Young beginning farmers leaving the cities (Fox News video) Customer Profiles/Landscapes Articles: Livestock insurance (Landscapes article)

Facebook

Nationally Declared Special Days/Weeks/Months: Earth Day FCBT Job Postings: 3

938 LIKES

Q1: 892 

MAY Bank/District/System News: FCBT first quarter report and financials Brand Awareness: Breadth of Farm Credit mission video; Farm Credit supports Farm Bill Customer Profiles/Landscapes Articles: One Mission, Many Voices profile video on Reus Grain (Texas Farm Credit customer); Agvocate Jeremy Brown (Landscapes article) Community Involvement/Sponsorships/Scholarships: Sustainable Food Center Farm to Plate event

Twitter

Industry News: More women in ag taking lead in farming operations Nationally Declared Special Days/Weeks/Months: National Beef Month; Memorial Day

699 FOLLOWERS

Q1: 676

Instagram

293 FOLLOWERS

Q1: 274

FCBT Job Postings: 3 JUNE Bank/District/System News: YLP participants visit Texas Sen. John Cornyn Brand Awareness: Farm Credit Difference patronage video; Farm Credit Mission; Farm Credit supports Farm Bill; Farmers Feed the World mural photo; Farm Credit’s cooperative difference; link to Find a Local Lender function on Find Farm Credit website Customer Profiles/Landscapes Articles: DTN feature on TFC customer Trey Denny Community Involvement/Sponsorships/Scholarships: HBCU Battle of the Brains; 4-H Roundup and Farm Credit scholarships Industry News: More women in ag taking lead in farming operations Nationally Declared Special Days/Weeks/Months: National Dairy Month; National Fruit and Vegetable Month FCBT Job Postings: 2

4

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

MIESETTRIINCGTSA|DSVPEORNTSI SOIRNSGH I P S | CO M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E 2 0 1 8 D 7

2nd Q U A R T E R

HOSTED • • • •

Annual Stockholders Meeting, San Antonio, Texas Texas District Lenders Conference, Point Clear, Alabama District Audit Conference, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Young Leaders Program, New York and Washington, D.C.

DISTRICT SPONSORSHIPS • 4-H Round Up – Platinum Clover Sponsor

Annual Stockholders Meeting

Young Leaders Program

5

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

DISTRICT ADVERTISING 2017 8

3

FIND FARM CREDIT District Ad Campaign Find your piece of Texas Financing for:

2nd Q U A R T E R

FULL-PAGE PLACEMENTS

Farms and Ranches Ag Production|Agribusiness Rural Real Estate|Country Homes

FindFarmCredit.com

FARM CREDIT

8,376

®

CLICKS

Supporting Rural Communities and Agriculture for Over100 Years

WEB BANNERS

5,927

Texas Land magazine and website Lands of America Land and Farm

LANDS OF AMERICA LEADS SENT DIRECTLY TO ASSOCIATIONS

12,100

CLICKS

(to FindFarmCredit.com)

A S S O C I AT I O N A D V E R T I S I N G

160

Looking for rural real estate financing?

You call the shots, we close the deal.

Call Alabama Farm Credit We are specialists in financing: • • • • • • •

Timberland Farmland Recreational property Country homes and homesites Farm operating expenses Equipment Agribusiness operations

Fixed and variable interest rates available You finally found it, that perfect piece of land.

Let our team of experts guide you through the process of making your dream a reality.

Whether you are buying a farm, refinancing a current mortgage, expanding your operation

TOTAL PLACEMENTS

or making long-term improvements, we offer a wide range of products and competitive rates.

And as a cooperative, our patronage dividend program has returned more than half a billion

Together we’re better.

dollars over the last decade.

Partnership that really pays.

ON DEMAND Association ads requested on short notice, not part of a campaign

Loan Officers: Jim Tollison

Andrew Pinyan

Jim.Tollison@AlabamaFarmCredit.com

Andrew.Pinyan@AlabamaFarmCredit.com

crockett 936.544.7582 1042 S. 4th Street Sharon Hutcherson | Loan Officer

Talladega Branch Part of the Farm Credit System

NMLS612359

capitalfarmcredit.com |

(256) 362-0507 • AlabamaFarmCredit.com

NMLS493828

Print/Web ALABAMA FARM CREDIT.....................1 CAPITAL FARM CREDIT......................26 LONE STAR AG CREDIT..........................8

CONTINUING THE TRADITION OF

FAMILY VALUES

V E N T U R I N G

I N T O

A

N E W

PASTIME

FINANCING FOR: RE CRE ATION AL PROPE RTY RURAL HOME S

FINANCING FOR:

RURAL RE AL E S TATE E QUIPME N T

R ECR EA T ION A L PR OPER T Y

FARM OR RAN CH OPE RATION S

SCHEDULED CAMPAIGNS

R UR A L R EA L EST A T E R UR A L HOMES

AGRIBUS IN E S S E S

EQUIPMEN T FA R M OR R A N CH OPER A T ION S A GR IB USIN ESSES

Alabama Associations..........................12 Lone Star Ag Credit.............................113 LoneStarAgCredit.com

LoneStarAgCredit.com FINANCING YOUR PIECE OF TEXAS

FINANCING YOUR PIECE OF TEXAS

6

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

WIESBTSRIITCETS A

2017 8 D DVERTISING

2nd Q U A R T E R

First Two Association Websites Deployed to the Cloud COMPLETED PROJECTS CLOUD MIGRATION The Web team migrated the AgTexas FCS and Alabama Farm Credit websites to the Microsoft Azure cloud. Hosting them on the cloud rather than on the bank’s servers increases their stability, responsiveness and delivery speed. Eventually all of our websites will be relocated to the cloud.

CMS: Content Management System Converted AgTexas.com to the new Umbraco CMS FORM: Developed a new electronic scholarship application form for Texas Farm Credit TRAINING: Created training documentation for the new CMS

FINDFARMCREDIT.COM

IN PROGRESS

33,703visits

• Central Texas Farm Credit redesign

345

from social media

• Alabama Ag Credit redesign • Mississippi Land Bank enhancements • FCBT Website redesign

WEBSITE MAINTENANCE

598

214

total maintenance events

by associations using CMS

7

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

AG UE 8 D I S AG T R IECNTCAYDJVOEBR R TE I SQI N GS T S V I A H U B O N L I N E U T I L I T Y 2 0 1 7

133

TOTAL JOB REQUESTS

96 37

2nd Q U A R T E R

ASSOCIATION JOB REQUESTS

BANK JOB REQUESTS

BANK/DISTRICT PROJECTS

m

.net/sites/farmview/Pages/Home.aspx iew Website, please visit the intranet site brown box on the right-hand side.

Doing Business the Cooperative Way: Tools for Your Success

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For WALK-IN TECH SUPPORT, please visit the TIER II TEAM, this way:

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Brochure 2018

Services booklet Posters

Stock photography

Event photography

Program plaques

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

• Stock photography: AL, LA, TX

• FarmView calendar template

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

• Social media graphics work

• Proofread documents (4)

• Young Leaders Program plaques (14)

• Staff business cards (4)

EXECUTIVE DIVISION

• Young Leaders Program profiles pamphlet

• Website updates

• Proofread document

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

CREDIT DIVISION

FINANCE DIVISION

• Ag Agency dashboard report

• Appraisal roundtable editorial work

• AP check graphics for assns. (2)

• Bank services booklet

• Audit meeting editorial work

• Proofread document

• Intranet articles (6)

• Director orientation flyer

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• Event photography: FCBT

• FarmView brochure

• Posters (3) 8

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

AS I ODNV EPRRTI N CO D I SSTORCI ICAT T A I STI N G L L AT E R A L & OT H E R P R O J E C T S 2 0 1 8 7

2nd Q U A R T E R

Growing Grapes on the

Here's The Scoop ice cream

Great Plains

Two row-crop producers pool their farming talent and establish a new source of grapes for 22 wineries.

Legacy will be handing out

at the Sulphur Springs office and the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade!

M

att Adams and Jerry Weaver never planned to own one of the largest vineyards in Texas.

Instead, the two longtime friends simply wanted to plant something in addition to cotton, corn and peanuts on their farms south of Lubbock on the Texas High Plains.

Sulphur Springs, TX 75482

“Commodity prices for row crops have remained flat over the years,” explains Adams. “What’s more, we’re making better crop varieties with new technologies. But we can’t stay ahead of production costs, which have tripled since the 1980s.

“When you look back and see that you’re getting the same price for cotton that you did 35 years ago, then something’s wrong.”

Financing Your Legacy

Diversifying into wine grapes just made plain sense to the pair, who have farmed for more than 30 years in Terry County, the official Grape Capital of Texas.

Although labor-intensive, wine grapes

(866) 885-3522 • www.LegacyACA.com

have high market value, and they’ve been grown successfully in the area for over a quarter-century.

In 2012, Adams and Weaver started to research the grape industry — and one thing led to another.

Now, five years later, the two seasoned farmers together grow 38 grape varieties on 880 acres near Brownfield.

“We decided that once you get all set up, it’s just as easy to plant 400 acres as it is 50 acres,” Adams quips.

Do’s and Don’ts of Grape Farming Before launching their joint vineyard venture, Lahey Vineyards — named for the community where the Adams family has farmed for decades — the pair did their homework: They met with local grape growers and then flew to Washington state to learn from northwestern producers

about the do’s and don’ts of running a vineyard; talked to wineries about which varieties to plant; and networked with others in the industry.

Finally, they developed a plan to turn a large piece of their cropland into vineyards — but not before teaming up with Capital Farm Credit for their financing needs.

“I’d always heard good things about them,” Adams says. “We needed someone big to handle this operation, and they weren’t scared of an operation of this magnitude.”

In 2013, farm crews worked two-and-ahalf months to plant the first 400 acres of vines at Lahey Vineyards.

“The whole process took a lot of planning,” Weaver says. “We had to prepare the land first. Then we put in drip irrigation tape and drip stations because we wanted the ground to be moist before we planted.”

28

Postcard

LANDSCAPES

Make Tomorrow Better Than Today

WINTER 2017

29

why do we need diversity?

Every day we should b e asking ourselves have we set goals for ourselves to accomplish? Are we working towards the company goals as well?

Some of the immediate benefits of diversity are:

Do we have the WILL, or drive, to accomplish these things?

Generally, new vines require three years of growth and pruning before they will produce a viable harvest. In 2016, a hail storm ruined what would have been Lahey Vineyards’ first full crop. Thankfully, their 2017 crop finished well overall, yielding 3 to 5 tons per acre.

2 017 A NNUA L RE P OR T

Making a good first impression counts!

Are we embracing opportunities for both personal and professional growth? Are we embracing opportunities to teach or help others with a joyful heart?

“Every acre we grow is under contract with a customer,” Adams says. The operation sells grapes to about 22 wineries. Most of these are located in the Texas Hill Country, but some are in the Lubbock area, Fort Stockton, Texas, and even in Oregon.

JUNE 2018

Goals Responsibility Opportunities Will

Are we taking responsibility for our actions?

In 2014, Adams and Weaver, who had partnered in other businesses previously, planted another 400 acres of grapes. The following year, they added 80 more acres.

Contracts With Over 20 Wineries

Display print

grow alabama current topics >>>

Using GPS-guided tractors, drivers laid out rows for poles, rebar and line posts.

They also marked where each of 348,800 vines — 872 plants per acre — would be planted. To speed up that daunting task, workers used a tree-planting implement bought in Washington. Later, they wrapped grow tubes around each vine and installed trellis wires.

Artie Limmer

Sulphur Springs Office Hopkins County June 8, 2018 | 1 - 4 p.m. Dairy Festival parade 303 Connally Street June 9, 2018 | 10 a.m.

A diverse workforce combines workers from different backgrounds and experiences that together breed a more creative, innovative, and productive workforce. And businesses have learned that they can draw upon our nation’s diversity to strengthen their bottom line. In this way, diversity is a key ingredient to growing a strong and inclusive economy that’s built to last. Employees reap tangible and intangible benefits from workplace benefits, not the least of which include respect from co-workers and business gains.

• Fosters mutual respect among employees.

• Manifests itself in building a great reputation for the company,

leading to increased profitability and opportunities for workers.

• Opens doors for employees with diverse language skills and multi-

cultural understanding to become more valuable, therefore leading to promotions and internal openings within the organization.

A diverse workplace offers more than exposure to employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Employees learn from co-workers whose work styles vary and whose attitudes about work varies from their own.

How Can You Help?

• Refer your friends and family for job openings!

• Tell someone you meet about Ala-

EARN MONEY THROUGH THE EMPLOYEE REFERRAL BONUS PROGRAM!

bama Ag Credit!

• Embrace other cultures!

Newsletter redesign and template AG NEW MEXICO

2018 Annual Meeting Notice

Annual report

Annual Meeting Information Statement

CAPITAL FARM CREDIT

LEGACY AG CREDIT

• Business card

• Handouts (2)

• Editorial assistance

• Annual Meeting Information Statement

• Landscapes display print

• Invitation

• Business cards (3)

• Web article post

• Letter

• Certificates (7)

CENTRAL TEXAS FARM CREDIT

• Postcard

• Envelope

• Annual Meeting Information Statement

LONE STAR AG CREDIT

ALABAMA AG CREDIT

• Ballot mailing

• Annual report

• Editorial assistance

• Business cards (9)

• Editorial assistance

• Newsletter redesign and template

• Letter

TEXAS FARM CREDIT

ALABAMA FARM CREDIT

• Annual Meeting Information Statement

• Banner

• Editorial assistance (2)

• Invitations (3) 9

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

W

2017 8 D IESBTSRIITCETS A DVERTISING

rd 23nd QUARTER

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Interactive locations map for MS Land Bank website The map was created in SVG format, which enables a user to zoom in on it on mobile devices without loss of resolution.

Scholarship application form for Texas Farm Credit The form enables students to upload resumes, transcripts and photos. An email is sent to the association with download links. Entry information is stored in a database accessible to the association. In addition, as a time-saving feature for Texas Farm Credit, the system combines all files into one pdf for each entry.

Robust technical updates to our new Umbraco CMS, which include: social media sharing options, image processing options, and structured data handling to provide enriched search engine results

FINDFARMCREDIT.COM

IN PROGRESS

36,879 visits

• Central Texas Farm Credit redesign • Alabama Ag Credit redesign • FCBT website redesign

2,696

from social media

WEBSITE MAINTENANCE

1,015

total maintenance events

297

by associations using CMS

1

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

SDOI SCTI A 2 0 1 87 R ILCM T EADDIVAE RTISING

LinkedIn

3,850 FOLLOWERS

Q2: 3,676  HRM takes the lead in recruitment on the LinkedIn platform.

Facebook

1,093 LIKES

Q2: 938 

Twitter

740 FOLLOWERS

Q2: 699

Instagram

420 FOLLOWERS

Q2: 293

rd 23nd Q QU U AA RR TT EE RR

TOPICS SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA JULY Company Culture: 4th of July; Farm Credit 102nd anniversary; images from 2017 employee appreciation event Events: Texas FFA Convention; Farmer veterans on Capitol Hill; Farm Credit employees on Capitol Hill Landscapes: National Blueberry Month; John Sawyer Farms/TX Straight Bourbon; solar power Informational: Farm Credit’s commitment to rural America; Young Leaders Program; Farm Credit partnership with Farmer Veteran Coalition; tips for avoiding a wildfire; Farm Credit patronage program Promotional: Links to “Find a Local Lender” and “Subscribe to Landscapes” on FindFarmCredit.com Rural Life: Sorghum harvest; NM boy sells steer for $56K, finishing project started with late father; Farm Bill update Individual FCBT Job Postings: 5 Ad Campaigns: Subscribe to Landscapes AUGUST Company Culture: National Coloring Book Day/National Ice Cream Sandwich Day employee event; honoring directors past and present Events: American Farm Bureau/Farm Credit Ag Innovation Challenge Landscapes: Spirit Pioneering Farm; National Oyster Day/New Reef Oyster Co.; What the New Tax Law Means for Agriculture and Rural Landowners Informational: Second-quarter financials; National Farmers Market Week; agribusiness services; Farm Credit partnership with Farmer Veteran Coalition; soybeans; Hatch chile season; National Watermelon Day; Land O’Lakes “Old MacDonald” rewrite video; USDA rural photography contest Promotional: Links to “Find Rural Real Estate” and “Subscribe to Landscapes” on FFC.com Rural Life: Jeremy Brown, agvocate; modern pig farmers reducing carbon footprint; egg producers feed 72% more people than in 1960 Individual FCBT Job Postings: 5 Ad Campaigns: Subscribe to Landscapes; Farm Credit animated video (content from Farm Credit Council communications team) SEPTEMBER Company Culture: Link to FCBT recruiting video; Labor Day Events: State Fair of Texas; American Farm Bureau/Farm Credit Ag Innovation Challenge; Academy of Honor scholarship luncheon; Prospanica Austin event Landscapes: One Lender, Many Options: tips for buying rural property; National Chicken Month; Valley Shredding; Texas Specialty Cut Flowers; greenhouse mums (Winter 2018 issue); Alligator Alley (Winter 2018 issue) Informational: National Hispanic Heritage Month; 97% of U.S. farms are family-owned; Co-op Month 2018; Texas District 2017 YBS lending Promotional: “We’re Hiring” link to FCBT jobs; links to “Find a Local Lender” and “Subscribe to Landscapes” on FFC.com Rural Life: National Chicken Month Individual FCBT Job Postings: 5 Ad Campaigns: Subscribe to Landscapes; Find a Local Lender

2

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

T RI SATDRIITCI TO N D AA D LV EMRETDI SI A I NHGI G H L I G H T S 2 0 1 8 7

rd 23nd QUARTER

Editorial design by Texas Land Magazine CIRCULATION

60,000 TEXAS LAND MAGAZINE Fall 2018

FEATURE ADVERTORIAL (2 pages) written by Ag Agency staff on behalf of the district.

Article Title: Tracking the Trend in Land Values: Decades of Data From Farm Credit and Texas A&M University Shed Light on Rural Land Markets

139

MEDIA ARTICLES FCBT/District

were picked up. Media coverage included community involvement, director elections and re-elections, new hires, Young Leaders, sponsorships, corporate giving, Lone Star Sherman fraud case and lawsuit, CFC Montana customer misrepresented cattle numbers, Southern AgCredit customer convicted of wire fraud, scholarships, 2nd quarter financials, Mel Koller new Alabama Farm Credit CEO

24

PRESS RELEASES

were written and distributed by the Ag Agency, and included 22 for associations (community service, corporate giving, new hires, FCBT Young Leaders Program, new director appointment, Lone Star 2nd quarter financials, officers earn diplomas from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking, Alabama Farm Credit Mel Koller new CEO) and 2 for FCBT (2nd quarter financials, 2018 Academy of Honor scholarship recipients)

3

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

DISTRICT ADVERTISING 2017 8

3

FIND FARM CREDIT District Ads Meet your neighbors

FindFarmCredit.com

FULL-PAGE PLACEMENTS

8,406

Financing for: Farms and Ranches Ag Production|Agribusiness Rural Real Estate|Country Homes

FARM CREDIT

®

CLICKS

Supporting Rural Communities and Agriculture for Over100 Years

5,722

rd 23nd QUARTER

6,626

WEB BANNERS Texas Land magazine and website Lands of America Land and Farm

LANDS OF AMERICA LEADS SENT DIRECTLY TO ASSOCIATIONS

CLICKS

(to FindFarmCredit.com)

A S S O C I AT I O N A D V E R T I S I N G

129

TOTAL PLACEMENTS

Helping you bag the perfect hunting property.

Mel Koller, new CEO

Dr. Matthew Christjohn, board chairman

A Changing ON DEMAND Association ads requested on short notice, not part of a campaign

Print/Web ALABAMA FARM CREDIT.....................3 CAPITAL FARM CREDIT......................20 LEGACY AG CREDIT.................................1 LONE STAR AG CREDIT.......................22

of the Guard at our Rural Lending Cooperative

Ben Gore, retiring CEO

On behalf of Alabama Ag Credit’s board of directors, employees and member-borrowers, we send a big thank you to Ben Gore, who is retiring as CEO after 42 years with our cooperative!

Financing to fit your needs Owning land is more than an investment.

It means having a private retreat where you can create memories with family and friends. And our patronage dividend program returned more than $750 million Together we’re better.

Partnership that really pays. to borrowers over the last decade.

Our new CEO, Mel Koller, shares our commitment to agriculture and rural communities. Together, we look forward to serving you.

FINANCING FOR: • COUNTRY HOMES • RECREATIONAL PROPERTY • FARMS AND RANCHES • AGRIBUSINESS

877.959.5500 capitalfarmcredit.com NMLS493828

(877) 681-6087 | AlabamaFarmCredit.com

G R O W I N G

S T R O N G E R

CONNECTIONS FINANCING FOR:

Billboards LOUISIANA LAND BANK......................7

buying land?

RECREATIONAL PROPERTY RURAL HOMES RURAL REAL ESTATE EQUIPMENT FARM OR RANCH OPERATIONS AGRIBUSINESSES

(318) 263-BANK

SCHEDULED CAMPAIGNS ALABAMA ASSOCIATIONS..............11 LONE STAR AG CREDIT.......................65 LoneStarAgCredit.com FINANCING YOUR PIECE OF TEXAS

800.530.1252 LS Corp - Cowboys of Color ad 5.5x8.5 horse-color.indd 1

9/19/2018 3:28:23 PM

4

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

MIESETTRIINCGTSA|DSVPEORNTSI SOIRNSGH I P S | CO M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E 2 0 1 8 D 7

Association Leadership Program, DC

Association Leadership Program, NY

Association Leadership Program, DC

rd 23nd QUARTER

Academy of Honor Luncheon, TX

HOSTED • Summer Conference, Perdido Beach, AL • Appraisal Roundtable, Austin, TX • Association Leadership Program, NY/DC • Academy of Honor, Lubbock, TX

DISTRICT SPONSORSHIPS • Texas FFA State Convention – Co-Title Sponsor

Texas FFA State Convention scholarship presentations 5

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

FDIINSA NICCITA LA D RE R ITSSI 2 0 1 87 TR VPE O RT NG

rd 23nd QUARTER

BANK AND DISTRICT QUARTERLY REPORTS formatted, web-posted, printed and distributed

Farm TeCr xaed s it Ba Farm nk of Cr Te ed xa Distric its t 2018 SEC OND

QUA RTE R

JUN E 30, 2018

REP ORT

310

FCBT 40-page quarterly report

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SE CO

R AR TE ND QU 20 18 30 ,

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TEXAS DISTRICT 40-page quarterly report RT

JU NE

P U B L I C AT I O N S

COMMON GROUND NEWSLETTER

Farm Credit Bank of Texas July 2018

More Lending Systems Coming to Associations We continue to see great progress in the long-term initiative to modernize the district’s technology.

For several years now, Farm Credit Bank of Texas (FCBT) has been providing new state-of-the-art tools for use throughout the lending process. This suite of lending software is known as FarmView.

More tools are on the way. FarmView Consumer Origination, used for consumer mortgage loans, will start being delivered to associations later this summer for secondary market loans, and will be integrated with their customer relationship management (CRM) and loan accounting systems in the months that follow.

May 31 was a big day for the district, when the bank received a preliminary release of the loan origination and loan accounting software that will replace ADS II and Cardinal. This software was delivered on schedule, and is now being tested and configured for associations. These last major Jimmy Dodson, Chairman



components of FarmView are expected to be in associations’ hands starting next summer.

also receiving technology and other services at no added cost.

In June, more than 150 association representatives learned how these new FarmView tools will ease the lending process when they attended discussions and product demonstrations at the quarterly Association Advisory Committee (AAC) conference. The AAC formed in 2014 to give bank and association representatives more opportunities to work together to shape the future of our technology.

The stock was oversubscribed, meaning investors placed orders for more than the bank had announced it would sell. This demand is an indication of the bank’s financial strength and high ratings.

We would like to thank your associations for contributing to that strength through the recent increase in spread on direct notes, which was necessary for maintaining the bank’s strong earnings profile and ROA.

As FarmView has continued to develop, so have the communication and learning opportunities.

Information is now available to all district employees through a monthly newsletter, an internal FarmView website, videos, webinars, online product walk-throughs, e-learning and on-site training.

We knew when this initiative started that it would take several years to reach our goal. We appreciate the commitment and collaboration across the district that has made it possible to come so far.

Bank Successfully Issues $100 Million in Preferred Stock In late June, the bank issued preferred stock that provided $100 million in high-quality third-party capital to support growth in its investments and capital markets loans.



Brad Bean



Buddy Cor tese

A PUBLICATION FOR AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF

FarmView streamlines the lending life cycle while providing better security and flexibility.

Bank and District Report Solid Financial Results

n the coming 12 to 18 months, the Texas District’s ag lending system as we know it will start to be transformed.

Succeeding the diverse technology components used in the past is a new suite of products known as FarmView, which is being implemented to streamline the lending process across the associations.

Assets have been on the upswing in the district for more than six years now, a welcome return to growth following the Great Recession.

As of midyear, several FarmView software components had been deployed to some associations, and employee education and training have been underway since 2016. The plan is to begin rolling out the remaining products in 2019.

With $29.99 billion in total assets at the end of the first quarter, it was clear that the district was heading to a new record of $30 billion — an increase of 50 percent in six years, and 20 percent in three years. This addition of $5 billion in assets every three years has been a significant accomplishment.

Developed With Association Feedback Farm Credit Bank of Texas (FCBT) launched the FarmView initiative to move the district into new and innovative processes. In the past few years, the FCBT FarmView team has assembled industry-leading software to develop one common lending experience for associations to improve efficiency and automation.

Linda Floerke



Bet t y Flores



Throughout development, feedback from associations has been integrated into the design of the platform.

Once fully launched, the streamlined suite will reduce data input, minimizing errors and the time required to complete loan applications. For example, a customer’s name needs to be entered only once. After a collateral record is established in FarmView, it will then be linked and reused for that customer across the suite.

Continued on page 3

Basics What Is FarmView?

A suite of powerful customized software products for use through the entire lending life cycle — loan prospecting, loan origination, underwriting, credit analysis, document creation and reporting. Within FarmView, front-end systems tie to multiple back-end systems for document management, loan accounting and reporting.

Who Will Use It? All employees at all associations across the Texas District. With the new FarmView software tools, associations will be able to ensure a more secure and competitive lending environment for their customers.

When Will It Be Implemented?

Several FarmView products have been launched and are in use at many associations. These include credit analysis (Optimist), CRM and DocuSign, with customer origination (Encompass) to follow very soon. The other products will start to roll out in 2019.

Associations share in the bank’s earnings through an annual patronage payment on direct notes and quarterly patronage on their stock investment in the bank, among other patronage programs. Last year the bank declared $103.9 million in total



THE TEXAS FARM CREDIT DISTRICT

New Lending System Well Underway

Although loan growth has slowed somewhat, credit quality remains strong, and net income for the first quarter was $44.6 million for the bank and $130.0 million for the district. Financial results for the second quarter will be published in August.

Preferred stock enables the bank to grow in ways that benefit associations without putting a burden on them to provide more capital. The investment and capital markets portfolios generate earnings that contribute to capital and cover all of the bank’s operating expenses. As a result, associations pay no more for funding than the bank pays, while

Lester Lit tle, Vice Chairman

commonground

VOL. 20, NO. 2

BOARD TO BOARD NEWSLETTER

How Will Training Take Place?

We all learn new technology differently. Therefore three tiers of learning and development are offered — on-demand, walk-through and instructor-led training. Learning opportunities range from self-paced videos to hands-on courses in classrooms.

Phil Guthrie

Lending support to rural America

JULY ISSUE

250

copies distributed to association directors, CEOs and select FCBT staff

SEPTEMBER 2018

SEPTEMBER ISSUE

2,825

copies distributed to district employees, directors and retirees and posted on FCBT intranet 6

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

AG UE 8 D I S AG T R IECNTCAYDJVOEBR R TE I SQI N GS T S V I A H U B O N L I N E U T I L I T Y 2 0 1 7

133

96 37

TOTAL JOB REQUESTS

rd 23nd QUARTER

ASSOCIATION JOB REQUESTS

BANK JOB REQUESTS

BANK/DISTRICT PROJECTS

2018

FARM CREDIT

Social media graphic

ACADEMY HONOR

Jon “Mike” Garnett Jon “Mike” Garnett retired at the end of his

OF

term as a Farm Credit Bank of Texas director on December 31, 2016, following four

The Farm Credit Academy of Honor award, created in

decades of service to the Texas Farm Credit

1968, recognizes individuals who have made valuable

District, including 18 years as a Farm Credit Bank of Texas (FCBT) director. A Panhandle

and significant contributions to agricultural credit.

farmer and rancher who was always diligent

Each year, a deserving individual is inducted into the Academy of Honor. Subsequently, a scholarship bearing

and mindful of the needs of fellow agricultural producers, he helped the

the inductee’s name is awarded through a college or

district manage challenges to become even stronger.

university of his or her choice to students specializing

Farm Credit benefited from his sharp business acumen, diplomacy and

in agriculture, finance or related studies. This year’s

positive attitude, and in 2000 he was elected vice chairman of the FCBT

$10,000 scholarship in the name of Jon “Mike” Garnett

board. During his 18-year tenure, he also served as vice chairman of

was divided between six recipients.

the bank’s compensation committee and was a member of the bank’s audit committee.

The Academy of Honor is awarded by the Farm

A director of the Pampa-High Plains Federal Land Bank Association

Credit Bank of Texas on behalf of its affiliated lending

(now Plains Land Bank) for 23 years, Garnett was the association’s board

associations. The associations are member-owned

chairman from 1995 to 1998. He was elected to the national Farm Credit

financial cooperatives that provide financing and related

Council Board of Directors in 2003, and served as Council chairman from

services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and rural

2011 to 2013.

homeowners in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New

Throughout his 40-year tenure, Garnett proved to be an outstanding

Mexico and Texas.

leader with a deep understanding of the Farm Credit System. He was always willing to consider and support new policies, and with an open mind he welcomed the bank’s current business model, which has served cooperative members and the Farm Credit mission well.

Academy of Honor program

District directory

Intranet articles

Stock photography, Texas

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

• Marketing/communications

EXECUTIVE DIVISION

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

workshop planning

• Academy of Honor program

• Association Leadership

• Social media graphics work

FINANCE DIVISION

• Staff business cards (9)

• Association bank check graphics

• Stock photography: Texas

• PowerPoint assistance

• Ag Agency dashboard report

CREDIT DIVISION

• Proofread documents (3)

• District directory

• Proofread documents (4)

Program handouts (5) MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

• Intranet articles (8) 7

Marketing/Corporate Relations (The Ag Agency)

AS I ODNV EPRRTI N CO D I SSTORCI ICAT T A I STI N G L L AT E R A L & OT H E R P R O J E C T S 2 0 1 8 7

TEXAS FARM CREDIT

rd 23nd QUARTER

JOIN US FOR AN

2019

APPRECIATION

DINNER

With sincere appreciation for making our progress possible, Alabama Farm Credit cordially invites you to join us for dinner.

Thursday

COVER

OCT.

18

6:00 p.m.

majestic

venue

2180 Section Line Rd

Albertville, AL 35950 Please RSVP by

Cash & OCT. 10: door prizes!

TO: Lea Anne Beck at (256) 878-2631 or LeaAnne.Beck@alabamafarmcredit.com

Calendar

L I V I N G

Postcard

G R A N D D A D ’ S

L E G A C Y

Alexandria Branch Office (318) 442-8896 Arcadia Branch Office (318) 263-2265 Crowley Branch Office (337) 783-0466

We Talk

Timber

Hammond Branch Office (985) 542-1142 Monroe Branch Office (318) 387-0636

“

Opelousas Branch Office (337) 942-1461

If there’s a legacy, it’s

Port called work ethic.

YouAllen madeBranch Office (225) 749-3522

sure you kept going because

you didn’t wantShreveport to disappointBranch Office Laurie Tolboom

(318) 524-2900 Granddad.” – Wade Rowden

Tallulah Branch Office (318) 574-5800 Office Four generations of the Rowden familyWinnsboro from Brownfield,Branch Texas (318) 435-5308

On the Texas South Plains, three generations carry on RJ Rowden’s legacy of hard work, trust in each other and love for farming.

magine having 10 kids and trying to eke out a living on a cotton farm in dusty West Texas nearly a century ago. And then getting sick.

That’s what happened to tenant cotton farmer John Rowden in 1927. Weakened by tuberculosis, he walked into a bank in Brownfield, Texas, with his wife, Martha, and their 11-year-old son, RJ. “These two are taking over the farm,” John told the banker. “We want to buy it, but I don’t know if they’ll make it or not. I don’t have a clue because I’ve got to go to the hospital. You can loan them the money or not.”

For whatever reason, the banker gave them a loan. A year later, Martha and young RJ,

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LANDSCAPES

who’d quit sixth grade to keep the farm going, returned to the bank.

“Oh, you’re here to make a payment on the land,” the banker said.

“No, sir, we’re not,” Martha replied politely.

“We’re here to pay it off.”

Generations later, that powerful anecdote still resonates with RJ Rowden’s family, a close-knit circle of descendants who have continued his farming legacy in Terry County, southwest of Lubbock.

RJ — who died at age 96 in 2013 and was a customer of Farm Credit for more than 60 years — went on to have two children and seven grandchildren.

Today, son Lewayne Rowden and his four sons — J, Wade, Scott and Sean — along with J’s son Reese farm independently and as partners. They all maintain offices in a shared building on the Brownfield square, where they’ve gathered on an April afternoon to talk about their ag businesses, farming heritage and AgTexas Farm Credit connections.

Less Physical Work, More Debt “I remember Granddad telling that story clear as day,” says Wade, who’s seated with everyone at a conference table. “The struggles we face today as farmers have changed from his, but they’re still just as hard. Back then, Granddad could get an outside job and pay off his note in a

month. Nowadays, the amount of dollars it takes to farm is ludicrous.”

“I couldn’t physically work as hard as Granddad did,” J adds. “But then he wouldn’t want the debt load that I have.

As a boy, he and his family survived on 160 acres. Altogether, our families farm mostly cotton, peanuts, wheat and some small grains on 42,000 to 45,000 acres.

Yes, we have a different standard of living today, but that gives you an idea of where agriculture has gone in the last 100 years.

That’s why you see fewer and fewer staying on the farm.”

LouisianaLandBank.com 877-648-LAND

RJ eventually inherited the original 160 acres. Through the years, he and his wife, Ruth, bought out his siblings’ farmland.

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SUMMER 2018

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