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
• 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
(FCBT employee event) FCBT Job Postings: 2
676 FOLLOWERS
Q4: 659
274
POPULAR POSTS:
National Ag Day; link to FCBT jobs; Kristin Stanley interview with KVUE at Cowboy Breakfast
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
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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)
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
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
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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Bank-Provided Association Products and Services
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mCreditBank.com
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The Hub, ECM)
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Social media graphics
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farmcreditbank.com @farmcreditbank.com k@farmcreditbank.com @farmcreditbank.com
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
3,850 FOLLOWERS
Q2: 3,676 HRM takes the lead in recruitment on the LinkedIn platform.
1,093 LIKES
Q2: 938
740 FOLLOWERS
Q2: 699
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
700 it red as mC Far k of Tex Ban 20 18
SE CO
R AR TE ND QU 20 18 30 ,
RE PO
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,
16
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.”
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RJ eventually inherited the original 160 acres. Through the years, he and his wife, Ruth, bought out his siblings’ farmland.
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