18 minute read
The Right Partner Helps Family Farm Thrive
The Right Partner HELPS THE
STEPHENS’ FAMILY FARM THRIVE
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Story and photos by Susan Walker
The short version of how Josh and Amber Stephens met is that livestock brought them together. And today, livestock remains a big part of their story.
Josh, who was studying agricultural science at Virginia Tech, went to the National Block & Bridle Convention in Kansas City. Amber, who was earning her degree in agricultural education at North Carolina State University, also happened to be at the convention. During a lunch event, Josh and Amber began talking and realized they knew a lot of the same people and had a great deal in common. The spark was lit and a few days after Josh got back to school in Blacksburg, he drove to Raleigh, North Carolina to see Amber. They married in 2010 and welcomed their daughter Clara in 2015, who will be joined by a new sibling this spring. Livestock continues to be part of their story. They bought their eight acre farm, Double S Farm, in Quicksburg, Virginia, in 2010 and kept their first cows at Amber’s father’s farm in North Carolina as they added fences and made other improvements needed for cattle. In 2017, they expanded the size of their operation, buying the 35 acre property across the road. When North Carolina was hit by drought one year later, they moved their herd to Quicksburg. Today, they have 50 head of cattle and calves on the farm, with a focus on replacement females and pure bred Red Angus bulls. Josh and Amber also raise and sell market products, as well as ABGAregistered Boer goats to young people involved with 4-H and FFA. They currently have 15 breeding does and average 20 kids a year, which they consign through the Massanutten Boer Goat Bonanza and at the open barn sale they host on the farm. “What’s great about the barn sale is that the youth have the chance to see where and how the goats are raised so they know they’re getting quality animals,” says Josh. The Stephens’ most recent expansion of their operation is into poultry. They purchased a neighbor’s complete 13 acre poultry farm in 2018 and raise 400,000 small broiler chickens a year for integrator George’s Family Farms.
It was a decision they thought about carefully. Amber was teaching high school agricultural science and Josh managed an equipment company, a position he still holds. Family was one of the motivating factors behind their decision to purchase the poultry operation.
“After having Clara, each year it got
harder going back to work,” says Amber. “If she was sick, I’d have to leave work to pick her up from daycare or preschool. We were looking for a way that I could be working on the farm full time when the neighbor came by to see if we were interested in buying his poultry farm.” Josh adds, “We weren’t in the market to buy another operation, but we ran the numbers and felt it would be cash flow positive. We made a pros and cons list, and the pros side was much longer, so we talked with Farm Credit about getting financing.”
Josh and Amber had first worked with Farm Credit when they took out a loan to finish their shop, build a barn, and add a deck to their house, and knew the advantages the association offered. Matt Ritenour, regional lending manager with Farm Credit, says, “The loan officer came to me and explained that these were the right people and the right opportunity, so we worked with the Stephens’ to make it work. We have confidence in them because of how carefully and thoughtfully they approach their business.”
Josh and Amber agree that Farm Credit is the right partner for them. “Farm Credit knows the business,” says Josh. “Having worked for an agricultural cooperative for eight years, I know the benefits a co-op like Farm Credit offers its members, like patronage and the fact that we have a voice in decision making.” “Their values are also in line with ours,” says Amber. “They support youth programs and give back to the community, which is important to us. It’s a good fit.”
Looking to the future, Josh and Amber don’t foresee big changes for their operation. “We may be small compared to other farms in the area, but we focus on quality over quantity in everything we do and we plan to keep doing that,” Amber adds.
Check out their Facebook page @DoubleSFarm
Send in your photo submissions to our 2021 Calendar Photo Contest. GIVE US YOUR best shot!
Enter up to five photos for the chance to be featured in our 2021 calendar and other print publications by completing our online entry form.
Contest entry period is now through August 7, 2020. The top photos will be announced on September 28th on our Facebook page. If you submit a photo and it isn’t picked for the calendar, we may use it in something else, like an upcoming Leader magazine, annual report, or on social media!
Enter the contest, view entries, and read the official rules at mafc.com/info/calendar-photo-contest.
See You at the Fair!
In order to better serve our community and agricultural mission, we are changing the style of our annual stockholder meetings for 2020.
We are partnering with four regional fairs to offer our members and their families a day of fun on Farm Credit.
Look out for an invitation to the fair closest to your home later this year.
2020 CUSTOMER EVENTS
July 29 Delaware State Fair Harrington, DE
July 30 Lebanon County Fair Lebanon, PA
September 2 Shenandoah County Fair Woodstock, VA
September 22 The Great Frederick Fair Frederick, MD
Community Education Program
We are proud to announce the Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement has created a Community Education Program to support agricultural education efforts within our 44 county footprint. The program will provide funding for projects and to organizations that make a positive impact in MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s territory.
Applications will be accepted in two periods:
PHASE ONE: Now – June 26th Decisions will be made by the Foundation Board on July 2nd with winner notification by July 15th.
PHASE TWO: July 1st – October 16th Decisions will be made by the Foundation Board on October 22nd with winner notification by October 31st.
Visit FCFoundationForAg.org to apply and see the program requirements, guidelines and restrictions.
HOW TO WRITE A Farm Business Plan
Getting a loan for your agricultural business, no matter the size or scope, means asking the lender to have faith in your ability to manage a fullfledged operation and your finances in a healthy way. No pressure, right?
The best way to set yourself up for success both in business and with your lender is to have a detailed plan. It doesn’t need to be pretty, but you do have to prove that you’re willing to put the time and effort into creating a well thought out course of action for your operation.
Already operating but don’t have a plan? That’s okay! It’s never too late to put extra thought into how your operation will continue to fulfill your livelihood.
What to Include in Your Agricultural Business Plan
TITLE/COVER PAGE Keep it simple on the cover page. The most important information here is accurate contact information so your lender can get in touch with you easily. Include mailing address, phone, email, and fax if you have it. • Your company’s logo • Name of business, address, contact information
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Although it will be the first page of your plan, this will be the last section that you write summing up all of your key points in your plan. Remember that this is the first section that your lender will read, so they’ll expect to see all of the highlights that make approving this loan a good financial decision for both you and the lending organization. Include points about expansion plans, market opportunities, financial trends and projections in a short and easy to read summary.
INTRODUCTION Treat this section as if you’re telling a stranger about your operation and you want to give them an overview of what you do and what sets you apart from other businesses in your industry. • Brief description of the operation including what you do, what you produce, how you market it, and the size of the operation. • Locations and facilities • Mission Statement • Goals • Plan Summary and Capital Request – if you’re starting a new operation, include a plan summary that describes how you’ll start the operation and the course of action you’ll take to build it.
PRODUCTION • Products and/or services and their corresponding systems • Production practices, value-added practices • Policies on quality control, inventory management and customer service • Risk Management • Licenses, permits and regulatory requirements • Goals for production growth, expansion, etc.
MARKETING PLAN • Industry description, outlook, trends and projections • Target market information • Market share to gain • Pricing • Promotions, programs and marketing tools • Distribution
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT • How your business is organized (corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.) • Names, titles, positions of owners, managers, directors, etc. • Organizational chart or Personnel plan – who facilitates which roles and potential new hires • Benefits offered, rewards structure, etc. • Contingency Plan
FINANCES (Learn more at mafc.com/blog/analyzingfarm-financial-statements) • Income earning potential, plans for growth, expansion, industry trends • Historical performance • Balance sheet, cash-basis income trend, breakeven analysis, and sensitivity analysis • Asset management • Benchmarks • Capital Request
Creating your own business plan will take time and effort. As you complete sections, send them to partners or colleagues to review as you go along. If you have any questions on how to complete your business plan or more specifically what loan officers are looking for, give us a call at 888.339.3334.
Want a FREE Business Plan Template? Download your copy at mafc.com/services/beginning-farmers
Bring your ATVs to this farm that is half tillable and half woods. Mature trees have value; development rights have not been sold. Ponds and trails throughout make this a great horse or activity farm. Beautiful high ground setting overlooking the pond perfect for home site. Approximately 102 acres, pending final survey and subdivision. $999,900.
Contact Wes Cromer, Masten Realty LLC 302-448-1032, wcromer@mastenrealty.com
Cambridge, Maryland
Remarkable property consisting of two parcels; 75 acres east of Horns Point Road with 2000’ waterfront on Jenkins Creek, and 25 acres with frontage on Horns Point and Hudson Roads. Approximately 70 acres farmland of high ground with tremendous potential for minor subdivision or waterfront estate farm. $1,950,000.
Contact Tom Ruch, Northrop Realty 443-235-1347, tomruch@northroprealty.com.
Cordova, Maryland Adamstown, Maryland
128 acre farm in Frederick County, 60 tillable acres, 64 wooded acres, four bedroom farmhouse, six stall horse barn with electric and water, run-in shed with tack room, equipment shed, over 4,000 feet of river frontage on the Monocacy, Subdivision rights in tact, Near Sugarloaf Mountain and Lilypons Water Gardens. $1,499,000.
Contact Buzz Mackintosh, Mackintosh Inc. 301-748-3696, buzzmac@prodigy.net.
Clarksburg, Maryland
Check out this pan handle lot of trees and pasture with access to Clarksburg Road. Two lots being sold as a package. Current use as agricultural land. Each lot has an approved perc site. $275,000.
Contact Jeff Cosgrove, Re/Max Achievers 301-639-7181, jeff@askjeffc.com.
Elkton, Maryland
Overlook the Choptank River and farm fields on this 121 acre property with a 6,000 sqft residence set back. Perfect for modern living and entertaining, with a huge barn (accommodates eight hunters) that sits at the front of the property giving the main house its privacy. Including two ponds and 3,700 feet of shoreline. $1,3250,000.
Contact Traci L. Jordan, Meredith Fine Properties 410-310-8606, tljordan520@gmail.com.
Cordova, Maryland
Luxury equestrian farm with attention to every detail: two tack rooms, two wash stalls, an office, indoor arena, dressage ring, sand ring, 14 paddocks with runin sheds, feed/hay storage, meeting room, pond, and washer/dryer/bathroom. Spacious home with wood floors, gas and wood fireplaces, master suite, and a large basement. $795,000.
Contact Karla Wieland-Cherry Meredith Fine Properties 410-310-8421, dkcherry4@aol.com.
Mt. Airy, Maryland
‘Triple Creek Winery’ consisting of a 20 acre parcel and a 6.2 acre perc approved contiguous building lot. Currently six acres of grapes and a beautiful tasting room. The greenhouses will be removed prior to sale leaving a 1+ acre concrete pad site to be built on with half being heated concrete. $895,000.
16 LEADER VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1 Live your farm dream on this 50 acre property with fenced fields, a pond, and ten outbuildings. Bring your horses with the six stall barn, run-in shed, two machine sheds, 75’ x 40’ building, wood shop, hay barn, chicken coop, root cellar/canning house, pump house and more. The farmhouse has three bedrooms and two baths on two parcels. $849,900.
Contact Barbara Young, Harlan C. Williams Co. 410-287-2149, Barbara444Young@gmail.com. Calling all commuters! This three acre lot located in Carroll County is minutes to Interstate 70. The property has a 12 gpm well, 200 amp electric service, and perc approved septic. Hurry to this stunning, private lot and plan your dream home today! $225,000.
Move your business here and get excellent exposure. Tremendous frontage on Route 50 in Skipton. Several buildings with large office areas, display areas, bay doors, loading docks, storage, yard storage, shops etc. Former farm tractor dealership could have many potential uses. $1,099,000.
Contact Tim Miller, Benson & Mangold 410-310-3553, tmiller@bensonandmangold.com
Sharpsburg, Maryland
Rare opportunity! This extensive 64 acre complex offers endless possibilities for a family compound, farm, or equestrian estate. Amenities include a three car garage, more than 25,000 square feet of living space, swimming pond, and multiple outbuildings. Potential for two additional building lots. $2,600,000.
Contact Stephen J Ferrandi, Maryland Land Advisors 866-910-5263, stephen@marylandland.com.
Beautiful 203 acre farm not in conservation or preservation with breathtaking vistas in every direction. There are 25 wooded acres, two ponds, a stream and 167 acres of cropland. There is a 16’x60’ metal storage building. The all brick custom built home with 3,624 square feet has five bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms and a sunroom. $1,900,000.
Contact Gary Duckworth, RE/MAX Results 301-644-5968, gary@garyduckworth.com
Since 1850, this privately-owned farm adjacent to Antietam National Battlefield has been a true gem of Washington County. 130 rolling acres of impeccable land. 3,000 feet of private Antietam Creek frontage. Magnificent 3,744 sf home with high ceilings, country charm, and plenty of historic luxury. $1,299,000.
Contact Gary Geston 301-646-0046, ggestson@gmail.com.
Stevensville, Maryland
Hide away in this large, private wooded lot at the headwaters of Tanner Creek. Residential building site and access road already developed. Ideal for conservation/recreational minded buyer with easy access to Baltimore/Washington region. Golf course, marinas and airport nearby. One of a kind opportunity on Kent Island. $650,000.
Protect Your Investment
We know that farming is a risky business. Crop insurance mitigates that risk and protects you from major loss. Give us a call today to discuss your crop insurance options.
Own this unique home on 50 private acres just a few miles from the Chesapeake Bay in Kent County. The property includes a 40’x60’ shop, a 54’x36’ horse barn, 22’x40’ in-ground oval swimming pool, 40 tillable acres, and a second kitchen in-law or rental. $999,950.
Contact Lona Sue Todd, Taylor Properties 410-310-0222, lstodd11@outlook.com.
Little Britain Township, Pennsylvania
Live inspired at Green Bank Farm. This historic country estate with two residences is 6,000 square feet on 36.7 acres in Lancaster Farmland Preservation Trust. Homestead stone federal with four to five bedrooms and a two bedroom guest house and nine garage spaces. 10 horse bays and more! Easy access to Routes 1 and 95, 272 and 222. $1,350,000.
Contact Sherry Merrill Lusk & Associates, Sotheby’s International Realty 717-475-0488, SherryMerrill@comcast.net.
Birdsnest, Virginia
Don’t miss this 218 acre productive farm with a large 3,400 sqft modern home built in 2004. A large shop and out buildings included. 85 percent tillable land with great hunting of deer, turkey and a pond for waterfowl. Ideally located in Queen Anne’s county with quick access to Route 301. $1,700,000.
Contact Jonathan Olsavsky Coldwell Banker Waterman Realty 410-490-0369, jonathan@watermanrealty.com.
Upper Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania
A hilltop property offering spectacular views of the Delaware Water Gap and two residences. This 212 acre property has 135 acres in crops, hay and pasture, many barns and outbuildings, and two large ponds. A 4,000 sqft farmhouse is currently used as an income-producing duplex. $1,700,000.
Contact Barbara Winn, Keller Williams Realty Group 484-547-3098, barbarawinn@kw.com.
Front Royal, Virginia Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Enjoy living in this gorgeous home with over 4,400 square feet of living space. The builder put 40 years of experience into this home and is ready to downsize. Old world craftsmanship, attention to detail and pride of ownership. Four Bedroom, four bathroom and expansion space in the lower level. Two bay internal and three bay detached garage. $628,900.
Contact Michael Yingling RE/MAX Delta Group Inc. 717-652-8200, myingling@remax.net.
Bentonville, Virginia
Build your dream home on this gorgeous 38 acre farm near the scenic village of Browntown. Road perimeter is surrounded by trees that open up to a beautiful pasture, historic stone wall and million dollar views of Shenandoah National Park and surrounding vistas. Property has five bedrooms and conventional perc. $499,900.
Contact Martha Buracker, Weichert Realtors 540-671-6349, marthaburacker@gmail.com.
Strasburg, Virginia
Immaculately maintained farmhouse on a 53 acre farm on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Paved driveway leads you to the home nestled into a private setting surrounded by trees. Conscientious owners have taken great care of the home and it shows! Farmland is leased. $440,000.
Incredible mountain views on 193 fenced acres with no HOA. The property has a passage creek running through and was previously used as cattle farm. $1,500,000.
18 LEADER VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1 Seclusion at its finest. This 124 acre farm near the town of Strasburg has easy access to Interstates 81 and 66. The farm contains a large pond and creek, along with outbuildings. Home is four bedrooms and two baths with solar panels and a diesel generator as back up. Detached two car garage next to the home. Property is Being sold as-is. $795,000.
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45 Aileron Court Westminster, MD 21157
PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BALTIMORE, MD PERMIT 1908
NEED A BETTER TOOL TO MANAGE YOUR FINANCES?
From editing spreadsheets to hiring an accountant, you have options to help manage your finances, but which is right for you? Many of our customers have found QuickBooks to be helpful when it comes to organizing and managing their operations’ financial information.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save 50% on QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Self-Employed for 6 months. How to claim your discount: 1. Head to: quickbooks.grsm.io/MAFC 2. Select the plan that works for you and that’s it!
After your initial purchase, any future purchases will renew at the full price for the plan. This offer is a one-time discount and is eligible for new QuickBooks customers for the first six months only. It cannot be used on an existing account or pre-purchased package. MidAtlantic Farm Credit is not affiliated with Intuit or QuickBooks and cannot provide support for using their programs. Additional terms, conditions, pricing, features, service and support are subject to change without notice.
