AgCountry Farm Credit Services
H A RV E S T
SEPTEMBER 2021
Harvesting
OPPORTUNITIES
AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
A Letter From
The CEO
Another harvest season is upon us. Soon, the combines and harvesters will be firing up, machinery will begin moving and some late nights will be had. This is a time where all of your early season planning and efforts come to fruition. Unfortunately, this harvest season might not net the same level of yields as we’ve seen over the past years for some producers within our association. The extreme drought that has gripped much of Minnesota and North Dakota has made growing conditions very difficult. Thankfully, our territory in Wisconsin has largely been spared. From a risk management perspective, having a diverse geographic footprint is something to celebrate, especially in a year like this. As you are aware, our association is seeking a merger with Farm Credit Services of North Dakota in which our geographic footprint could further expand. This Boarddriven event seeks to combine the good work that is happening within both associations. The proposed merger is a result of strategic 2
planning that will put us on a path of continued success for years to come. More information on our potential merger can be found on pages 8-11 within this publication.
position yourself for the future. Please keep in mind that we have staff available who specialize in all different areas of farm finance and financial services. They are here as a resource for you. Please do not There is great value in long-term hesitate to contact us if you have planning whether we are talking questions about a subject or an about farming or a non-farm idea you would like feedback on. business. It can be difficult at times to look towards the future From all of us at AgCountry, we when you are facing a more wish you a safe and successful immediate issue such as a severe harvest season! drought. However, a drought in and of itself helps demonstrate the importance of forward planning. We know weather events can Sincerely, and do happen. Having a good crop insurance plan in place helps mitigate risk. At the farm level, forward pricing and locking in low fixed rates on term debt can make a world of difference for a future time. Even though harvest is before us, we need to always Marc Knisely, CEO have that “future harvest” focus to best manage risk and capitalize on long-term success. As you hop into your harvester this fall, I challenge you to look at your operation and think about different ways in which you could AgCountry.com
AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
Table of Contents 4
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AgCountry Board of Directors: ELECTION RESULTS
LOW RATES, PATRONAGE, OR BOTH?
CARBON CREDITS What are they and how do they work?
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12-13
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Special Feature: THE POSSIBLITY OF A MERGER
TAX IMPLICATIONS OF EXTREME DROUGHT
Spotlight On: AGCOUNTRY’S GIVING AND GROWING PROGRAM
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EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT
HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
TEPAP
EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS
HARVEST REMINDERS Questions during harvest? Ask your Insurance Specialist Inquire about harvesting a crop for another use Follow Production Reporting Requirements Watch for Fall & Winter Education Meetings NEW FALL 2021: Proprietary, Decision-Making Tool to Analyze your Crop Insurance Needs!
A Member-Owned Cooperative
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
AGCOUNTRY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2021 ELEC TIO N R E SU LT S Three positions on the AgCountry Board of Directors were voted on by shareholders in August. Once the voting deadline passed, votes were counted by an independent tabulator. Congratulations to the following candidates who were elected to a four-year term:
REGION 3
REGION 4
REGION 6
MIKE LONG
GREG SABOLIK
KAREN KERNER
Berlin, ND
Kensington, MN
Philips, WI
CO NGR ATU L ATI ON S TO Mike, Greg, and Karen!
THE MEMBERS OF THE 2022 NOMINATING COMMITTEE WILL BE: • • • • • •
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Jacob Amb, Portland, ND Corey J. Anderson, Michigan, ND Scott Bernardy, Vesta, MN Brett Blackwelder, Chokio, MN Deven Efta, Greenbush, MN Douglas Fjerstad, Fosston, MN
• • • • • •
Kurt Gartner, Atwater, MN Bruce Gumz, Dorchester, WI Robert W. Hanson, Wimbledon, ND Stacie Heck, Neillsville, WI Dennis Jakobi, Granton, WI Matt Jennen, Fergus Falls, MN
• Christopher A. Johnson, Wahpeton, ND • Matt Legge, Spiritwood, ND • Adam Lund, Dawson, MN • Jesse Stuehrenberg, Kent, MN
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
LOW R ATE S, PATRONAGE, OR B OTH? Written by Becky Thibert, Chief Financial Officer AgCountry can lend out our capital of roughly $1.9 billion or borrow funds from AgriBank - our funding bank. In contrast, a traditional commercial bank uses checking and savings deposits to fund loans to customers. AgriBank works with the Farm Credit Funding Corporation to issue high-quality debt securities (bonds, discount notes, etc.) to investors. Investors rely on Farm Credit System financial statements, including key ratios, when purchasing Farm Credit securities. Among other items, they consider AgCountry’s capital ratio, return on assets, and net interest margin. To meet regulatory requirements and remain an attractive investment, AgCountry needs to earn enough interest income and retain enough earnings to meet target ratios and preserve our financial strength. When we have more earnings than we need, our cooperative advantage allows us to return those earnings to eligible stockholders in the form of patronage. Customers sometimes ask, “Why does AgCountry pay patronage? I’d rather have a lower rate up front.” It’s a good question, and the short answer is “To attract investors, we need to strike a balance between customer interest rates and association net earnings.”
When we set interest rates, we aim for balance. We want to be competitive, charge what we need, retain enough earnings to remain strong through good times and bad, and return the rest to our stockholders. As a result of this strategy, AgCountry declared its first patronage payment of $10.6 million in 2013. Since then, we have paid The longer answer, in part, starts with the unique way patronage every year, including over $64 million AgCountry gets the funds we loan to customers. for 2020.
SAVE THE DATE! AG COUNTRY MARKETING DAY
JAN. $64 Million Paid out in Patronage in 2020
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
Carbon Credits
WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY WORK? Written by Ben Gordon, Carbon and Ecosystem Services Global Portfolio Leader at Corteva Agriscience This article is reprinted with permission from a guest writer and should be viewed as educational in nature and is not an endorsement for any one provider of these types of services.
It’s no secret to any farmer that soil carbon matters. But why is carbon all of a sudden the biggest news in ag? Why Now?
Nothing’s changed on the agronomy front. We all know building soil carbon leads to more resilient crops and fosters soil health for the next generation. What has changed is that agriculture carbon programs are now recognized as one of the most beneficial and cost-effective ways to reduce and abate greenhouse gas emissions. They build better soil, reduce greenhouse gases, and help farmers and ranchers make more money along the way. In the last four years, demand for carbon credits has skyrocketed. Governments, investors, consumers, and employees are pressuring companies to reduce their impact on the environment and climate. Hundreds of companies (including one quarter of the Fortune 500 companies) have set voluntary targets to reduce or achieve “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions. If they can’t reduce their own emissions (for example, an airline that relies on carbon-based fuels), they buy carbon credits to offset their impact.
Agronomy First, Carbon Second
So where does an agriculture carbon program come in? It’s a lot like selling a commodity. Farmers adopt new practices that draw carbon into the soil or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon programs measure the increase in soil carbon and quantify that increase into carbon credits (1 metric ton of CO2e sequestered or abated = 1 carbon
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credit). Carbon programs then package credits and sell them to buyers who want to offset their carbon footprint and pay farmers for the credits they produce. Seems simple enough, until you realize that farmers have to adopt new practice changes to be eligible. Farmers and ranchers are in the business of growing crops and raising stock, not carbon credits. Any decision they make comes down to agronomy. As we at Corteva Agriscience™ see it, the only reason a farmer or rancher should enroll in a carbon program is if they want to see better soil health and it makes sense both agronomically and economically for their operation. Science shows that the practices used to increase soil carbon have a direct impact on soil health (and benefit the bottom line). Reducing tillage and planting cover crops improve soil structure and soil health, reduce runoff, improve soil aeration, and enhance microbial diversity. Farmers see greater crop resilience and can even reduce inputs. Any farmer or rancher willing to invest in soil health practices will reap agronomic reward, and carbon programs can be the lever (and financial impetus) they need to push them to adoption. Another way to look at it is the extra dollars earned through a carbon program can alleviate some of the risks behind new practice changes.
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
Choose Wisely
Not all carbon programs are created equal, and in fact many have compared today’s carbon marketplace to the Wild West. While the market may still be evolving, farmers and ranchers can protect themselves and still take advantage of the extra revenue available through carbon programs -- as long as they choose a program that includes these key attributes: • A strong agronomic foundation backed by boots-on-the-ground support. Farmers will need help introducing these new practices and navigating the practice data requirements of these programs. •
Carbon credits that meet strict standards and are verified by an independent third-party. The long-term integrity and marketability of carbon credits depends on ensuring that these credits represent actual net-new emissions reductions or abatements, and that they will never be reversed back into the atmosphere. Carbon credit buyers place a premium on independently certified credits that meet stringent requirements. They’re willing to pay a higher price knowing their environmental impact is real and long lasting.
• Flexibility to choose practices and make agronomic changes when necessary. Sometimes farmers have to make tough decisions and they don’t want a program telling them how to farm. • The ability to opt-out at any time. Given that the carbon marketplace is still evolving, farmers should avoid programs locking them into long-term contracts and look for a program that allows them to benefit from market upside.
Serving Agriculture and Rural America
Don’t Wait too Long
One consistent requirement across carbon programs is that buyers only want to pay for carbon that is sequestered as a result of new practice changes (net-new), not historical practices. This “additionality” sentiment means that any fields where farmers or ranchers have already been implementing soil health practices won’t be eligible. Unfortunately, many farmers are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They want to see how this all shakes out but risk eligibility later. Regardless of whether you’re in ag or consumer products, there’s never been more pressure from the public and private sector to make changes that will have positive climate impact. For farmers and ranchers, it’s no longer just about risk but also resilience. It’s not just about reducing carbon but ensuring that they can adapt to the tangible risks like extreme weather and drought that are already here.
Carbon Calculator
Farmers can earn an estimated $6-$30/acre/year by introducing cover crops, reducing tillage and/ or increasing nitrogen efficiency on any acres postharvest 2020. You can leverage Corteva’s Carbon Calculator to quickly see what your operation could potentially earn through Corteva’s Carbon Initiative plus other federal soil health funding through FarmRaise. The calculator can be accessed at granular.ag/carbon-calculator. Ben leads the ag carbon market function at Corteva, is currently based in San Francisco but is originally from Hillsboro, ND. His experience includes work with Granular, Bain and Company, a consultant with Carlson Consulting Enterprise at the U of M and seven years in the Army National Guard.
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
Special Feature:
THE POSSIBLITY OF A MERGER
Proposed map of AgCountry with FCS ND territory becoming region 7.
E pluribus unum Like the motto of the United States, meaning, “Out of many, one,” AgCountry Farm Credit Services is itself the product of a number of mergers over the years. With each merger, our organization has grown stronger, served its mission more thoroughly, and remained focused on relationships with customers. Serving agriculture and rural America is our mission, and that will not change.
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Coming from positions of strength, we agreed to explore whether merging AgCountry and Farm Credit Services of North Dakota (FCS ND) could result in a stronger organization positioned to best meet customer needs in the years to come. After conducting several months of a thorough and extensive due diligence review of Farm Credit
Services of North Dakota, the AgCountry Board of Directors concluded that merging these associations is in the best interest of our stockholders. Joining with FCS of North Dakota, with its experienced management team, strong capital base and additional geographic diversity, gives stockholders membership in a financially stronger cooperative with deeper expertise.
AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
Evaluating the Future
You may be curious what the Board of Directors considers before it seeks out different opportunities. The Board at AgCountry takes a long-term approach in their planning. They believe it is imperative to evaluate the customer and competitive landscape five-to-ten years out and ask:
What will the next generation of producers need and want that is different than today?
How can we continue to enhance the customer and employee experience?
What products, services, delivery channels and expertise will customers require?
How will we efficiently provide value and efficiencies to customers?
Do we have the capacity to serve all segments of agriculture in the way each wishes to be served?
What technology investment will be required to meet customer and team member needs?
What will the competitive landscape and the Farm Credit System look like?
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
Benefits of the Merger A merger presents opportunities to leverage the very highly customer-centric service culture of each association and achieve numerous benefits. At a high level, those benefits include:
• Enhanced Portfolio Diversity and Risk Management • Deeper Human Capital Resources • Greater Customer Advocacy Capacity • Continued Emphasis on Member Relationships and Mission Fulfillment • Expanded Service Area and Greater Economies of Scale
AgCountry FCS
5. Vote by shareholders of each association
6. Merger effective date: Jan. 1, 2022
(Anticipated completion Fall 2021)
3. AgriBank Approval (Completed Summer 2021)
1. Memorandum of understanding between boards
4. Farm Credit Administration Approval (Anticipated completion Fall 2021)
2. Due Diligence (Completed Spring 2021)
(Completed Spring 2021)
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Experts in Every Field Merger Timeline
AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
If approved, what would AgCountry look like? Full array of financial services
Patronage program continues
Continuted commitment to local communities & charitable organizations
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counties served between three states
branches
YOUR
MAKE VO I C E H E A R D ! One of the seven cooperative principles is “democratic member control.” As an AgCountry member, you have the power to determine who represents you on the board of directors and the responsibility to approve any mergers that come up for a vote.
A healthy cooperative depends on participation. Please exercise your right to vote — it is important. AgCountry.com
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
TAX IMPLICATIONS OF
EXTREME DROUGHT Written by Ashley Kieke,
Sr Tax Specialist/Coordinator
Radical weather conditions — from record Prevent Plant acres in 2019 to the driest conditions many of us have seen in our lifetime — have left farmers and ranchers with a lot of unknowns when it comes to their bottom line, government payments, and taxes. While some areas have experienced much-needed rain falls, extreme drought conditions continue to have an impact on crops and livestock throughout the AgCountry territory. These extreme conditions, combined with high commodity prices, can have a major impact on your 2021 tax liability. Many farmers are already asking about opening crop insurance claims, but it will be some time before we know exactly what the yield loss will be, and ultimately, the amount of crop insurance that will be paid out. It is important to build flexibility into your tax plan to ensure that you are prepared for the income and corresponding tax liability. Timing of when crop insurance is taxed depends on the type of policy you have and whether the loss was related to production or revenue. Production losses can be deferred into the following year if your normal business practice is to sell your grain the year following harvest. Alternatively, insurance based on revenue coverage cannot be deferred to the next year. If revenue-based insurance payments are received in 2021, you will need to include the income on your 2021 tax return.
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Even though production losses are eligible for deferral, the deferral can only be for one year whether chosen by the farmer or not. For example, many farmers are still receiving Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) payments. While production-based in nature, these payments stem from a prior year’s crop and therefore are not going to be the type of insurance payment you can defer on your taxes. If you received these payments in 2021, they will be taxable on your 2021 tax return. Now let’s talk about old crop sitting in inventory, or better yet, already sold at some of the highest commodity prices we have seen since 2013! It is important to manage the timing of these sales to ensure you are getting to a comfortable and desired tax position. Having flexibility in taking the income is key to tax management when you do not know what is coming this fall with yields and insurance payments. One recommendation is to use deferred grain contracts. If you price and deliver your grain now but wait to take the check until 2022, you will give yourself the flexibility of picking up that income in either the year you make the sale (2021) or the year you take payment (2022). Typically, we recommend doing small contracts so you can pick and choose the amount to bring into taxable income, as this can only be done on a contract-by-contract basis. We continue to have tools to offset income - such as accelerated depreciation if capital purchases were made throughout the year. Farmers also have the flexibility of prepaying expenses, but prepaid expenses cannot exceed 50% of your other deductible farm expenses for the year. Both of these tools are great ways to offset income but should be managed carefully to ensure they fit into an overall multi-year tax plan. We have talked about crops, but what about livestock? The drought conditions have taken a toll on pastureland, leaving ranchers with limited options for
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
feeding their livestock. Extreme drought is considered a casualty if the farmer/rancher lives in a declared disaster county or lives in a county that borders a declared disaster county. Casualties have a special set of tax rules, that with proper planning, can be advantageous to taxpayers. If a farmer/rancher is forced to sell livestock, they may have the option to defer the gain on the sale of livestock or reinvest the proceeds in newly acquired livestock, rather than paying tax.
purchased within a designated time period. You typically have two years after the close of the first tax year to replace the livestock sold, but if you live in an area eligible for federal assistance, the replacement period is extended to four years. Keep in mind that if you do not replace the livestock in the designated time frame, you will need to amend your 2021 return to claim the gain on the sale. Additionally, even if you do intend to replace all or some of your herd, you may find it beneficial to claim the income from the sale during 2021 if you are at a reasonable tax rate. In these cases, you will always have the option to pick up the income in the year of sale, as deferring or reinvesting is not required.
If livestock was sold due to drought in an area designated as eligible for assistance by the federal government, you may be able to postpone reporting the gain until the next year. The amount able to be deferred is the gain on sales in excess of the normal/ average sale activity from other years. If you are not forced to sell additional livestock but need additional food sources, keep in mind this could have an impact on your taxes too. Many farmers are looking to their neighbors to sell corn, silage, etc., out of the field this fall to ensure they have enough feed to last through the winter and beyond. This may increase feed expense significantly in 2021 from years past and may also impact your normal year-end profit. If you are buying feed out of the field, and this has not been your normal business practice, it may be a good idea to do some extra tax planning to see if you should also reduce the amount of prepaid expenses at the end of the year to ensure you do not show an unexpected tax loss.
Alternatively, if you plan to replace the livestock sold, you also have the ability to defer the gain and reinvest those proceeds into new livestock
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15th. This gives farmers the flexibility to make decisions, understand new tax laws that may be passed and keep cash in your pocket longer! One thing we learned during the 2020 tax return filing season was the tax law is not stagnant. Historically, we had months or even years to absorb and learn new tax rules. In 2021, Congress passed the tax law Mid-March that impacted the returns we were currently working on or had already filed. The March 1st deadline has caused many farmers to miss out on planning opportunities and forced additional notices from the Internal Revenue Service or amended returns to be filed to correct returns filed early. Seeing these changes come through at warp-speed has caused the March 1st deadline to lose much of its hype and made the January 15th estimate a much more viable option. Overall, while nature has sent a lot our way in the last few years, it is imperative that you have a trusted tax preparer when it comes to bringing all the pieces together to ensure you are making sound business and tax decisions.
Another idea to consider when managing taxes in a high-income year is to make a January 15th estimated payment. Qualified farmers are not required to make estimated payments throughout the year if they file and pay their tax in full on March 1st. Alternatively, they can pay the lessor of 2020 tax liability or 66 2/3% of the current year tax liability on January 15th and pay and file the rest on April
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
SPOTLIGHT ON:
AGCOUNTRY’S GIVING AND GROWING PROGRAM
The Giving and Growing program grants each AgCountry employee and director the opportunity to direct an AgCountry donation of $600 towards a cause of their choosing. The list of causes impacted by this program ranges anywhere from local schools, women’s shelters and animal rescue, to individuals battling health issues and many more. Our giving program is just one way in which we fulfil our mission of service to rural America.
Charlotte Reilly, her two kids, and fiance, Cody, lost their home, all their belongings, and three family pets the morning of January 20, 2021 to a house fire. Pictured is Cavalier CSR Shelby Finnson along with Charlotte.
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Redwood Falls employees Corrine Gertsema, Janel Lang, and Shelly Baune donated funds to the Redwood Area Animal Shelter. The animal shelter is dedicated to caring for unwanted animals and finding new homes for them. Jeanae accepted the donation on behalf of the shelter.
Carol Staab, Sr. CSR (and EMT) from the Medford branch, presents a Giving and Growing donation to fellow EMT Kayla Nixdorf. This donation will go toward the purchase of a LUCAS device, which provides consistent, high-quality chest compressions during CPR.
Data Scientist Brad Lindblad presenting a check to Brian Solum, president of Outdoor Adventure Foundation an organization that brings disabled veterans and children with lifethreatening illnesses on outdoor hunting and fishing adventures.
Sr. Credit Officer Todd Kaiser presenting a check to Farm Rescue Program Manager Dan Erdmann. Farm Rescue is raising money for a combine fund to purchase another combine so they can continue to help out farmers in need.
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
Employee Retention Credit Written by ReNae Roney, Farm Accounting Product Manager
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a refundable 2. Employer-paid qualified health plan expenses tax credit against certain employment taxes. It was part of the original Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic How much is the credit? Security (CARES) Act and its purpose was to encourage 1. For 2020, the total qualified wages are capped businesses to keep employees on their payroll. At the at $10,000 per employee for the year. The credit time, if an employer took out a Paycheck Protection is 50% for a total credit amount of $5,000 per Program (PPP) loan they were not eligible for ERC. The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, employee. signed on December 27, 2020, changed that. If an 2. For 2021, the total qualified wages are still capped at employer meets the criteria for ERC, they can claim the $10,000 per employee, but now it’s per quarter. The credit, but may not use the same wages they use for PPP credit is 70% for a total credit amount of $7,000 per loan forgiveness. The credit originally was only available for 2020 but now goes through December 31, 2021. employee. So, if an employer qualifies in every quarter, they could claim a $28,000 credit per employee for the What employers are eligible? year. Employers are eligible for the credit if they operated a trade or business during calendar year 2020, and now What should an employer do? 2021, and experience either: This is a high-level summary of the Employee Retention Credit; there are many more details involved and each 1. The full or partial suspension of their business situation is unique. Employers should reach out to their 2. A significant decline in gross receipts during a farm accounting or tax specialist and ask to have their accounting and payroll information reviewed to see if calendar quarter: they are eligible for ERC. If the employer’s business was a. 2020 is a 50% decline when compared to 2019 not shut down, the specialist will look at quarterly income b. 2021 is a 20% decline when compared to 2019 statements to determine if there was a decline in gross receipts that meets the ERC criteria. They will also need What wages are eligible? details about any PPP loans taken out. If it looks like the Qualified wages include: employer is eligible to claim ERC, an amended 2020 payroll 1. Wages and compensation paid to employees tax return can be filed. The specialist will also monitor 2021 on a quarterly basis, and if any quarters qualify, the credit that are subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes: can offset monthly payroll tax deposits that would need to a. This means commodity wages are excluded be made. Any remaining credit will be refunded when the b. Wages paid to related individuals DO NOT payroll tax return is filed. qualify
FA R M C R E D I T F E L LO W S P RO G R A M Applications now being accepted! The Fellows program is a special undergraduate program in ag finance conducted by North Dakota State University Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of North Dakota and Farm Credit Services of Mandan. For those who have a strong interest in farm management and finance, this program will help gain a better understanding of the agricultural credit system and advanced ag credit. Students at NDSU and University of Minnesota Crookston who meet the general requirements may apply. Those that are accepted into the program receive a $1,000 grant. For more detailed information go to: agcountry.com/fellows
Serving Agriculture and Rural America
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
CONGRATULATIONS 2 0 2 1 U P P E RC L A S S M E N SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!
Samantha Anderson, Belview, MN | Wilson Howard, Sheyenne, ND Dalton Howe, Redfield, SD | Haley Kirchoff, Hutchinson, MN Simon Kroll, Royalton, MN | Adrienne Lipinski, Eden Valley, MN Claire Moffet, Barney, ND | Anastasia Poull, Port Washington, WI Jenna Snortheim, Arpin, WI | Suzanna Viau, Plover, WI
HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AgCountry Farm Credit Services is offering scholarships for high school seniors entering college in the fall of 2022. Scholarship awards are $1,000 each. Applicants must be from an actively farming/ranching family OR must be planning to pursue a career in farming or some other aspect of agriculture such as agricultural extension, agricultural education, soil conservation, farm and ranch management, agricultural finance, veterinary medicine or agri-business. In additional, applicants must be residents of North Dakota counties of Towner, Cavalier, Pembina, Walsh, Ramsey, Nelson, Grand Forks, Steele, Griggs, Traill, Cass, Barnes, Stutsman, LaMoure, Dickey, Ransom, Sargent, Richland; Minnesota counties of Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Polk, Pennington, Red Lake,
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Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Clearwater, Koochiching, Norman, Mahnomen, Clay, Becker, Hubbard, Wilkin, Otter Tail, Wadena, Traverse, Grant, Douglas, Todd, Big Stone, Stevens, Pope, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Redwood, Renville, Swift, Yellow Medicine or the Wisconsin counties of Clark, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Price, Taylor, Vilas, Waushara, Wood. Selection is based on academic aptitude, vocational promise, personal attributes, leadership and financial need. Scholarship applications will be found under the Advocating for Ag tab on AgCountry.com once they become available.
Experts in Every Field
AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
TEPAP
Want to sharpen your management and leadership skills? If so,
The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP) is worth your consideration. This program teaches advanced agribusiness skills such as evaluating global economic development, niche market evaluation, analyzing and forecasting financial position, as well as personnel management and negotiation. The program is separated into two, one-week units held at the Omni Barton Creek Conference Resort in Austin, Texas over a period of two years. The upcoming dates are January 9-15, 2022, for both first and second-unit participants. For more information, or to register, visit tepap.tamu.edu. Young or beginning famers are encouraged to apply. AgCountry will be awarding several half tuition scholarships for Unit 1 and additional $500 scholarships for Unit 1 and 2 for Young Beginning Farmers (age 35 and under or less than 10 years farming). If you are a YBF and plan to attend TEPAP, contact your local AgCountry office for more information on the scholarship application. The YBF scholarship application deadline is October 1. Applications will be reviewed, and scholarships awarded by October 15. Here is what one young farmer had to say about his experience at TEPAP: “TEPAP was an invaluable experience. The presenters were second to none and the networking with other farmers from around the country (and the world) was enjoyable and educational. It is fun to be in a room with like-minded and ambitious farmers. It made me look at our farm from a different perspective and pushed me to want to improve it in every way possible. “ - Brayden Wagner, Lisbon, ND
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Employee Service Awards Our cooperative is blessed to have a dedicated staff of employees who work hard every day on behalf of our members. We recognize and celebrate our team’s terrific work in five-year increments, but appreciate their service every single day! Thank you to everyone for your years of service and commitment to agriculture and rural America!
5 YEARS OF SERVICE PETER KEMP, Fargo Corporate NICOLE RUST, Fargo Corporate KODY STARK, Grafton BRICE HEDRICK, Willmar LAUREN FUHRMAN, Graceville MIRANDA LARSON, Fargo Corporate JESSA RASMUSSEN, Fargo Corporate AARON REKKEN, Grand Forks JESSICA LYCZEWSKI, Grand Forks JEREMY KRUSE, Fargo Corporate NATALIE CAMERON, Grafton BRIAN NOHL, Graceville
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10 YEARS OF SERVICE ROBIN SMITH-MASOG, Fargo Corporate PARKER WILTSE, Lisbon LANCE DARWIN, Wahpeton MARK VETTER, LaMoure LENAE BEAR, Jamestown TARA SVENNINGSEN, Valley City TIM PAZDERNIK, Ada KARIE WHITING, Fargo Corporate KENT GJERDE, Willmar DARIN MOGCK, Fargo Corporate
15 YEARS OF SERVICE JORDAN PEDERSON, Fargo JEFFREY SCHAEFER, Morris JAMIE HANSON, Fargo BRENDA LUND, Detroit Lakes MELISSA VANYO, Grand Forks MELISSA ROGAL, Fergus Falls REBECCA DARLING, Fargo Corporate MICHELLE NISKA, Alexandria RYAN RENDERMAN, Thorp TRACY FJESTAD, Fargo Corporate
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services / Harvest / September 2021
20 YEARS OF SERVICE BONNIE LOEKS, LaMoure KEITH LUNDBERG, Redwood Falls
25 YEARS OF SERVICE
35 YEARS OF SERVICE TODD BELTER, Marshfield TERRY SKOGLUND, Willmar CRYSTAL EISENMENGER, Willmar
JEAN JOHNSON, Grand Forks KEVIN FETSCH, Grand Forks
30 YEARS OF SERVICE LARRY NELSON, Grand Forks DAVID GEHRKE, Redwood Falls DUANE REMER, Olivia JEFF SCHMIDT, Willmar KAREN MCCANN, Fargo Corporate
40 YEARS OF SERVICE SANDY SCHEFFLER, Willmar MARC KNISELY, Fargo Corporate
T H A N K YO U
FOR ALL THAT YOU DO! Your Best Total Solution
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AgCountry Farm Credit Services P.O. Box 6020 Fargo, ND 58108
2020 PATRONAGE
$64 MILLION PAID TO MEMBERS
It pays to be a member of our cooperative.
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