AgCredit Leader - April 2021 by AgCredit ACA

APRIL 2021

President’s Message

Helping You Succeed A borrower was recently contacted by his AgCredit account officer to have his loan repriced after rates dropped. While signing the documents, he commented, “You know, other lenders just don’t do this!” The account officer responded, “Well Jim, we’re not just any lender. We’re a cooperative, and we’re working for you!” When I heard about this exchange, it put a smile on my face and caused me to think about the value AgCredit provides as a cooperative lender that helps our borrowers succeed. I then began to consider other ways our team is helping borrowers succeed. It didn’t take long for AgCredit’s participation in the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to enter my mind as a recent and quite powerful example. BRIAN RICKER

The PPP was created during the early days of the pandemic to provide potentially forgivable loans to qualifying business owners, including farmers. In January 2021, the program was expanded for a second round, and changes to eligibility allowed a larger group of farmers to qualify. We quickly realized the benefits of the second round were significant and there would be a lot of interest in the program. In addition, a number of lenders who participated in the first round were not planning to participate in the second round due in part to the program’s complexity, lack of program details and other challenges experienced with the first round. Like other businesses, AgCredit has finite resources, and we must allocate those resources to best serve the needs of our customers. We knew we were entering our busiest time of the year even without PPP loans and knew the

highest three-month period of loan actions ever experienced was 3,000 during an incredibly busy April-June period last year. Despite having finite resources and very little time to plan and train, it was imperative for AgCredit to participate in the program and effectively serve our customers. We committed ourselves to figuring out how we could close all of these loans with not fully understanding how the association itself would be fully compensated. As a result, our plan started to take shape, and an all hands-on-deck approach was taken to serve our members. The experience reminded me about the importance of being agile and the need to act with a sense of urgency when opportunities are presented. Though we are not all the way through the period as I submit this article, I am proud to report we are more than getting the job done. Thus far, the AgCredit team: • Serviced more than 2,200 PPP applications and received approvals on over $34 million of low-interest and potentially forgivable loans. • Continued to provide timely service on our regular mix of other loan actions during our busy season. • Is on course to shatter the record of loan actions set last year and, more importantly, pulling off something that means a great deal to the future success of our members. The accomplishments of our team are monumental and I am very proud of how each and every employee has responded. More importantly, our team recognized the significance of the PPP and understood it was the right thing to do for our members and their operations.

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Participating Dealers in Our Area:

A.G. Irrigation Edgerton

GVM Bellevue

Paul Martin & Sons Napoleon

A.N. Farm Equipment Shiloh

Haar Brothers Gibsonburg

Peters Used Equipment Pemberville

Anderson Tractor Supply Bluffton

H.G. Violet Equipment Delphos

Polen Implement Elyria

Bay Tractor & Turf Gibsonburg

Holgate Implement Sales Holgate

Randall Brothers Holgate

Born Implement Amherst

Homier & Sons Continental, Payne

Buckeye Application Continental

J Star Equipment Greenwich

Redline Equipment Archbold, Bellevue, Bowling Green, Ottawa and Sherwood

Burkhart Farm Center Bucyrus

Ken Lugibihl Auto & Truck Center Bluffton

Dan’s Truck Sales Perrysburg

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

E & R Trailer Sales & Service Middle Point Evolution Ag Plain City Farmer’s Equipment Upper Sandusky Findlay Implement Co. Findlay George F. Ackerman Company Curtice Green Field Ag Gibsonburg

KTS Equipment Wellington KW Farms Ltd. Upper Sandusky MH Eby West Jefferson Nathan Frey Farm Equipment Upper Sandusky

Rodoc Sales, Service & Leasing Delphos Sensenig Ag Equipment Greenwich Steiners Equipment Sales and Rental Shiloh Tawa Equipment Ottawa Tiffin Ag & Turf Tiffin Wood County Implement Bowling Green

Northwest Tractor Co. Ottawa

Wyandot Tractor Upper Sandusky

Norvin Hill Machinery Greenwich

Wellington Implement Ashland, Wellington

For more information, contact: David White | 419.435.7758 ext. 1602

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MARKETING TIPS TO HELP YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS THE MOVING GOAL POSTS FARMERS RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPORTANT PLANTING DATES TO REMEMBER YOUR ROAD HOME JOE LEISER MEMORIAL AGCREDIT, ACA SCHOLARSHIP AROUND AGCREDIT ENTER OUR 2022 PHOTO CONTEST

PRESIDENT - Brian Ricker BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dustin Sonnenberg, Chairman David Conrad, Vice Chairman Deborah Johlin-Bach Gary Baldosser Kevin Flanagan Daniel Rengert Scott Schroeder David Stott, Ph.D. Michael Stump Michael Thiel EDITOR - Kayla Laubacher Address changes, questions, comments or requests for copies of our financial reports should be directed to AgCredit, ACA by writing 610 W. Lytle Street, Fostoria, OH 44830, or calling 800-837-3678. Our financial reports can also be obtained on our website: www.agcredit.net IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE We may report information about your account to credit bureaus. Late payments, missed payments, or other defaults on your account may be reflected in your credit report. WHISTLEBLOWER INFORMATION Reports of suspected or actual wrongdoing can be made anonymously and confidentially through the SpeakUp Whistleblower hotline or online. All information submitted to SpeakUp is taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. WHISTLEBLOWER HOTLINE WITH SPEAK UP: 1-844-850-6494 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) WHISTLEBLOWER ONLINE REPORTING: https://www.convercent.com/report We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit based factor.

FIELD NOTES

Marketing tips to help you grow your business What are you marketing? What you’re producing should determine how — and if you even need to — advertise. For example, if you’re raising a commodity product and your main consumer is the local elevator or integrator, marketing may not be that critical. But if you’re growing a niche product, marketing becomes far more critical. When defining and describing what you’re selling, it’s smart to consider: • Your products. Your marketing efforts should help you build demand and distinguish your products from your competitors’. The most important thing to do is to let your customers know what’s unique about your products. Are they an unusual variety, or organic or heirloom? Many consumers are drawn to certain qualities, such as locally grown, sustainably raised or artisanal. • The customer experience. If you’re selling in-person, you’re offering friendly, informed service and convenient hours. But if you’re selling to wholesalers, you’re offering flexibility and reliability in delivering your product. • Yourself and your operation. If you’re a new operator, you’ll need to do more marketing to let people know about you. Your story, including your history, farming practices, community involvement and social responsibility efforts, can be incorporated into your marketing messages so your customers can feel good about supporting you.

Who’s buying? Identifying your target market is another important consideration. You’ll need to determine who will respond to what you’re selling and then learn as much as you can about those people. Where do they live and work? What are their interests? And what are their distinguishing demographics, such as average age and income? You’ll soon realize that you have several target groups to which you should market. One group enjoys visiting the farmers market, while another drives by your roadside stand. Or, suburbanites and college students. Or, direct consumers and wholesalers. You’ll want to craft marketing messages for each of these target groups.

What’s the state of the market? Understanding the current supply and demand for your products can help you determine how much money and effort to invest into marketing. If there’s high demand and low supply, simply letting customers know you have what they’re looking for may be sufficient. If there’s an abundant supply or low demand, you’ll need to put more effort into your marketing. Keep in mind that the laws of supply and demand change; it’s a lot easier to sell ice cream in the summer than during the winter! The competitive landscape also impacts your marketing efforts and messages. You may be competing against other local producers, but you could also be competing with wholesalers, grocery stores, a community-supported agricultural group or even web-based companies. The way you market and your marketing messages will likely be influenced by your competition.

What are the best marketing tactics?

Your target market and your product together will determine the right marketing tactics to use. For example, if you have a farm stand and drive-by traffic is your target market, you’ll want great signage. Other great channels include: • Social media

• Websites

• Signage

• Flyers

• Paid advertising (radio, billboards, television)

Getting started Developing a basic marketing plan is actually very simple. Here are some steps to get you moving in the right direction: • Consider how best to reach your target market to determine your tactics. • Write messages that differentiate your products, and encourage customers to buy from you. • Plan when you’ll deliver your messages, keeping in mind that regular communication, especially on social media, is essential to building your brand. • Execute your plan. • Track your results so you can fine-tune your marketing efforts moving forward. The great news is that marketing doesn’t have to cost much. Social media is free, and websites can be inexpensive to create. Or you might consider building your own site using templates offered by web hosting services and software firms. Costs rise with paid advertising like radio, of course, so you should carefully consider their expected return on investment before making an advertising outlay.

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

Raising high-quality agricultural products can be extremely satisfying, but that’s only part of the equation for successful farmers. To generate sales and revenue, producers also must become marketers. While this may be unfamiliar territory for some beginning farmers, it’s easy to learn and apply the basics.

The Moving Goal Posts:

Hitting Your Transition Plan Target BY RYAN CONKLIN, ATTORNEY, WRIGHT & MOORE LAW CO., LPA

Some of my earliest memories are sports-related. I can remember watching Ohio State football games and playing basketball, baseball and golf all the time. Whether watching sports or playing them, the primary goal is to win.

Though winning is the main objective, sports have a number of secondary goals. Learning teamwork, staying in shape or obtaining college scholarships are great RYAN CONKLIN examples. Like athletics, succession planning is the sum of primary and secondary goals. The key question for each farm and family is what those goals should look like. Setting goals is the most important part of the planning process.

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

What do succession planning goals look like? If you’ve seen one of our office presentations, you know we extensively promote goal formation. In the succession planning context, goals represent what you would like your plan to accomplish when it is fully executed and administered. Examples can include eliminating conflicts, managing tax obligations, keeping farmland in the family, completing a smooth transition, addressing problem heirs, helping grandchildren, planning for long-term care, gifting assets, avoiding probate or, perhaps the most difficult goal to establish, deciding between a fair and equal plan. Although this list covers an array of topics, it’s a short list of possible goals. Additionally, each set of goals should mirror the uniqueness of each farm and family. That is why it’s important to identify the priorities for your family and not necessarily use the same goals as your neighbors.

What’s not a succession planning goal? My short answer to this question is to avoid any discussion featuring questions you need a professional to answer. Deciding whether you need a will or trust? Wait until you talk with an attorney. Trying to determine whether a buyout will impact cash flow? Enlist the help of your lender. Concerned about tax issues

related to your plan? Bring your accountant into the picture. Looking for financial products to come up with cash? Your financial adviser should be able to help. When identifying your succession planning team, target well-trained advisers who can take your goals and develop customized solutions to meet them. A professional who does not cater to your goals should be a red flag. Also, researching options online can be helpful when striving to learn more about a subject, but be careful not to devise a plan without professional help. Focus on goal formation, and leave the complex questions to your succession planning team.

How do you establish these goals? Open and honest communication is key to creating and achieving your goals. Though each family may differ with the method to arrive at this step, communication is a mandatory component to goal selection. While it may sound easy, these conversations can be very difficult. They can produce comments that are hurtful, reopen old wounds, force people to contemplate their mortality or cause farm owners to feel threatened. These factors and others act as barriers to the open and honest communication that is essential. Some families need the help of a facilitator. Scheduling family meetings, drafting agendas and outlines, and persistent nagging have proven effective in the right circumstance. You just need to know which method works best for your family. If communication is proving difficult for your family, AgCredit, the Ohio Farm Bureau and other Nationwide partners have a terrific tool for goal identification: the Land As Your Legacy program. It is a goal-oriented, intensive goal formation effort that can kick your succession planning into high gear. Talk to an AgCredit team member to identify a Land As Your Legacy expert in your area. Unlike sports, which has prescribed rules and commonly understood objectives, succession planning goals are a moving target. They can change from year-toyear based on economic conditions, family dynamics and other factors. Despite these changes, one objective for your plan should remain constant: It just needs to work. If it doesn’t, it’s time to review your forms with family members and an attorney to ensure you are able to hit your transition planning target.

Farmers Respond to Climate Change with Sustainable Agriculture

BY DAVID WHITE, ACCOUNT MANAGER FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

From the earliest days of man, farmers have contended with local climate conditions, day-to-day weather events and natural disasters. While this is nothing new, climate change is making it increasingly difficult to predict DAVID WHITE how farmers should manage their crops, livestock and land. As decision-makers managing more than 37% of the Earth’s landmass, farmers are uniquely positioned to contribute to climate change solutions. Associations within the Farm Credit System, which includes AgCredit, understand agriculture and are dedicated to providing farmers the support they need to implement sustainable agriculture practices. That’s because many of our committed team members either farm today or grew up in agriculture. They typically live in the same communities they serve and have first-hand knowledge of the business decisions their customers face. When it comes to environmental sustainability, the Farm Credit System supports farmers as they integrate climatesmart agricultural practices into their business plans. Farm Credit System institutions also proudly participate in cost-share programs created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to support the adoption of conservation practices. Understanding the intricacies of financing conservation agriculture, Farm Credit lenders work with farmers to allow longer loan amortization terms when they adopt such programs. This allows farmers the time they need to recover the investment costs. We follow a similar approach for customers hoping to implement other climate-smart agriculture practices. Farm Credit’s cooperative structure ensures a commitment to sustainability, and our success depends on the viability of farmers for generations to come. At the end of each year, Farm Credit System institutions’ net income is only used in two ways: It’s either retained within Associations to build financial strength or

it’s passed on to customers by way of patronage dividends. The dividends lower the cost of borrowing money, and farmers can use those savings for transitioning or continuing to implement climate-smart practices. At Farm Credit, we also strive to educate our members and staff on the latest research. We provide educational programs and networking events that focus on economics, business planning, data, markets and more. In the face of challenges and opportunities climate change presents, Farm Credit’s mission to support rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services is more critical than ever. Regardless of what may lie ahead in the years to come, Farm Credit is committed to standing with America’s farmers and ranchers, in good times and bad, as we work together to achieve and maintain a sustainable future for our industry. At a national level, the Farm Credit Council, the trade organization representing Farm Credit Associations throughout the country, has joined the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance. This coalition brings together food, agriculture, forestry and environmental groups to discuss and develop policy to address climate change. At the local level, we lend to farmers who use climate-smart agriculture practices. Farmers are the original stewards of the land, leading the way in many aspects. Farm Credit supports them investing in those efforts today, just as we have for over 100 years. Every day, America’s farmers and ranchers explore ways to improve their soil, reduce irrigation and other inputs, transition to organic production or implement renewable energy sources on their farms. From planting cover crops and crop rotation, to conservation tillage and other regenerative practices, these environmentally sustainable practices benefit farmers, the land they operate and their local communities. These common-sense practices also make agriculture more resilient to climate risks. You have a partner with your Farm Credit System institution, AgCredit. When our account officers visit with our customers, it’s an exciting reminder of the ingenuity and dedication of America’s farmers and ranchers.

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

Remember when the national buzz phrase was “It’s all about the economy”? Now, with the new administration in Washington, D.C., today’s phrase may very well be “It’s all about climate.”

Crop Insurance Update

Important Planting Dates to Remember BY CALEB DOUCE, DOUCE AGENCY, LLC

“The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” – Will Rogers

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

CALEB DOUCE

No truer words have been spoken than those of famed actor and humorist Will Rogers. Farmers are the optimists we all wish we could be, but they’re in a profession in which it’s often difficult to flourish. With that said, there’s a renewed sense of hope for an abundant and successful year as we look ahead to the 2021 planting season.

Early plant dates and replant coverage availability are two things that should be in the forefront of our minds. For corn, April 10 is the earliest date to plant to have replant coverage. Likewise, for soybeans, the earliest plant date is April 24.

» Soybeans Payment is three bushels multiplied by the February average planting price set by the Chicago Board of Trade. Not only are there early plant dates to keep in mind, but there are also final plant dates to consider. June 5 is the final date to plant corn to ensure 100% crop coverage. If corn is planted June 6-25, there’s a 1% per day coverage reduction. For soybeans, June 20 is the final date to plant to ensure 100% coverage. For soybeans planted from June 21 to July 15, a 1% reduction will be leveraged per day. While this is a great deal of information to absorb, it’s all critical when it comes to crop insurance. Producers should make a list of the important dates that apply to their insured crops and mark their calendars to ensure they have the full level of risk protection available to them. May the 2021 planting season be fruitful and prosperous!

Replant coverage that is covered in the base crop insurance policy is as follows: • If replant is necessary, the coverage is built in as long as the crop was not planted before the early plant date. Certain types of policies are excluded from replant provisions. • The enterprise has a minimum of 20 acres replanted. » Both non-enterprise revenue protection and yield protection policies have replant provisions, but the 20/20 rule must be met to trigger payment. That means either 20 acres or 20% of a unit, whichever is smaller, must be replanted. • Payment under this provision: » Corn Payment is eight bushels multiplied by the February average planting price set by the Chicago Board of Trade.

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Get Prequalified and Find Your Home Contact lender with copy of purchase agreement

Lender will order appraisal and titlework

Lender will contact you with appraisal value

Formal loan application Submit required documentation to lender (paystubs, W-2’s, bank statements, etc.) and start shopping for hazard insurance

Additional documents may be requested by underwriting

YO U R ROA D HOME

The process to buying a home can be confusing and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out this roadmap to walk through the home loan process. Ready to get pre-qualified? Visit AgCreditHomeLoans.net to begin your application.

Lender clears underwriting conditions

Schedule loan closing Lender will advise the amount of funds to be wired to closing agent

Final approval by lender

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

Joe Leiser Memorial AgCredit, ACA SCHOLARSHIP Up to five scholarships ranging from $1,000-$3,000 will be awarded for the 2021-2022 school year. The scholarship selection committee reserves the right to reduce or expand the number of scholarships awarded based upon the number of eligible and complete applications received. To be eligible, applicants must be an immediate family member (dependent) of a voting stockholder of AgCredit, ACA with a current loan. At the time of application the student must be a graduating high school senior planning to attend a post-secondary school majoring in an agriculture related subject or be attending a post-secondary school majoring in an agriculture related subject. The selection committee will consist of three current board members of AgCredit, ACA. They will review all complete applications and choose the recipients. No interviews will be conducted. The process will be completed by July 31, 2021.

Other Criteria: •

•

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

•

Children of current employees or directors of AgCredit, ACA are not eligible for this scholarship. Previous recipients of the scholarship are not eligible to re-apply. Previous applicants (who have not received scholarship funds) may apply every year they are eligible. The scholarship is to be used to pay education-related expenses and will be issued in the form of a joint check with the school.

Application Requirements: • •

Complete the online application at AgCredit.net/scholarship Current Official Transcript, including most recent term, must be mailed to: AgCredit, Attn: Karen Welter, 610 W. Lytle Street, Fostoria, OH 44830.

•

o In lieu of an official transcript, an Advising Report AND copies of grade reports from each term attended will be accepted. Two letters of recommendation from sources at the applicants discretion must be mailed to: AgCredit, Attn: Karen Welter, 610 W. Lytle Street, Fostoria, OH 44830 or emailed to kwelter@agcredit.net A word document or PDF containing no more than four letter sized pages with information from the past two years answering the questions below must be uploaded with the online application at AgCredit.net/ scholarship: o A resume including the following items: 1. Your past and present cocurricular activities including offices and extent of involvement.

Your work or experience or other commitments that may involve a large amount of time. 3. Your scholastic accomplishments. (Make a definite distinction among the three categories above) o From your resume, pick one activity that has benefited you the most and explain. o Why have you decided on an agriculture program? o Tell us more about yourself and explain how this scholarship would benefit you. Application Deadline is June 30, 2021. Online application must be submitted by 11:59pm on June 30, 2021 and supporting materials that are mailed must be postmarked by June 30, 2021.

Around AgCredit

Stay Connected with us! Email marketing@agcredit.net to join our email list!

Welcome New Employees!

Rehired Retirees

LIZ BORMUTH

ASHLEY LUTZ

DIANE FRIEDRICH

SUZANNE RECKER

KELLIE SMITH

Liz Bormuth began her career with AgCredit in November as a Loan Specialist with our Norwalk team.

Ashley Lutz joined the Admin team in November as an Account Officer Trainee.

Diane Friedrich started as a Loan Accountant in Van Wert in January.

Suzanne Recker joined the Findlay team as a part-time Scanner in January.

Kellie Smith started as a Branch Assistant with the Agribusiness department in Norwalk in February.

Retirements

CHAYTEN OVERHOLT

LIBBY STRINE

Chayten Overholt is a junior at Ohio Northern University majoring in finance and accounting. He interned with the Van Wert team from November 30, 2020-mid-January. Chayten will continue his internship with AgCredit in May.

Libby Strine is a sophomore at The Ohio State University majoring in community development and leadership and strategic communications. Libby worked with the Tiffin team from November 30, 2020-mid-January.

RYANNA TIETJE Ryanna Tietje is a freshman at The Ohio State University majoring in agribusiness and applied economics. She started her internship with the Findlay team on November 30, 2020 and will stay through summer semester.

GREG SIEBENALLER

CHUCK YODER

Paula Duran retired from the Tiffin branch on March 3. Paula was the Loan Accountant and a dedicated employee of AgCredit for 12 years.

Greg Siebenaller will be retiring May 1 after 36 years of service to AgCredit. Greg held several positions within AgCredit and most recently has been the Director of Risk & Project Management. He is also the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of AgCredit.

Chuck Yoder will be retiring May 1 from the Marion branch. Chuck has been a team member of AgCredit for 42 years most recently serving as the Marion Branch Manager.

Calendar

JANUARY-APRIL

YEARS

Thank you to all for your many years of service! We wish you all the best in retirement!

PAULA DURAN

Years of Service Awards

Mike Mutchler returned to AgCredit in February as a Senior Credit Analyst in Bucyrus.

YEARS

Offices Closed

May 31

Memorial Day

July 5

Independence Day Observance

PATTY SCHNEIDER

KENDRA HEFFELFINGER

JUNE O’NEILL

KAREN FREDERICK

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

Winter Interns

Richard Schweinfurth rejoined AgCredit as a Senior Credit Analyst located in Mt. Gilead in January.

Around AgCredit

Stay Connected with us! Email marketing@agcredit.net to join our email list!

Webinar Recap We hope you were able to participate in one or more of the seven webinars AgCredit hosted this past winter and early spring: • Production and Profitability for 2021, • Farm Record Keeping: Doing more than just a tax return,

The webinar “Planning for your Farm’s Future” dealt specifically on how to successfully transition your family farm to the next generation. In addition to the webinar video, there are links to additional resources in the toolbox you may find helpful in making this transition, including information about Nationwide’s Land As Your Legacy program.

• Thinking Outside the Box for Profitability, • Taking a Closer Look at Balance Sheets, • Crop Insurance Updates, • Planning for Your Farm’s Future, and • Health Care — Planning for Costs in Retirement. If you were not able to attend any of the webinars, recordings of each can be found on our website on the Toolbox page, AgCredit.net/services/toolbox.

Mission Fund We are now accepting applications for the 2021 AgCredit Mission Fund Grant program. You can apply on our website until August 31, 2021. Organizations can apply for up to $15,000.00 each year in one of the four focus areas.

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

• Education

• Environment

• Technology

• Quality of Rural Life

Since 2018, we’ve awarded $219,000.00 to 20 deserving organizations. Yours could be next—apply today!

Save the date!

Mark your calendar for the evening of December 13, 2021! We will kick-off our 2021-2022 webinar series featuring Dr. David Kohl from Virginia Tech’s Farm Management Institute.

ENTEROUR OUR2022 2022 CALENDAR CALENDAR ENTER PHOTO CONTEST! CONTEST! PHOTO GIVEUS USYOUR YOURBEST BESTSHOT! SHOT! GIVE

Enter five photosbybycompleting completingthe theonline onlineentry entryform. form.Contest Contestentry entry Enter upup toto five photos period is now through June 30, 2021. Winners will be notified August 1. period is now through June 30, 2021. Winners will be notified August 1.

AgCredit.net AgCredit.net

2022 Calendar Contest 2022 Calendar Contest Guidelines: Guidelines:

Ideas include: large and small farm operations, country kids, Ideas include: large and small farmlandscape operations, country kids,scenes, farm animals, flowers, outdoor scenes, nature harvesting, sunrises,outdoor sunsets,landscape barns, silos, wildlife, classic and/or farm animals, flowers, scenes, nature scenes, antique farm equipment, dailysilos, farmwildlife, life. classic and/or harvesting, sunrises, sunsets,and barns, antique farm equipment, daily farm life. don’t have to limit The contest is open to and all creative work—you the ideas Youwork—you may submitdon’t new have to limit Theyourself contestto is open to allabove. creative ideas to or the any ideas combination of the above. yourself above. You may submit new ideas or any combination of the above.

• Who is eligible: Members, employees and their family members enter our 2022 Calendar Contest. • Whoare is invited eligible:toMembers, employees and Photo their family members • Photos must be taken within our 18-county AgCredit are invited to enter our 2022 Calendar Photo Contest. territory. • Photos must be submitted by the person who took the photos, • Photos must be taken within our 18-county AgCredit territory. and each person is eligible for a maximum of two prizes. • Photos must be submitted by the person who took the photos, • All photos must be at least MB in size.of two prizes. and each person is eligible for a1 maximum • photos Orientation beinhorizontal (landscape). • All mustof bephotos at leastmust 1 MB size. • Please limit your entries photos.(landscape). We will not accept • Orientation of photos must to befive horizontal more than five photos per person. • Please limit your entries to five photos. We will not accept • Deadline forphotos submission is June 30, 2021. more than five per person. • All photos, used or unused, become the property of AgCredit. • Deadline for submission is June 30, 2021.

• All photos, used or unused, become the property of AgCredit.

Cash Prizes Awarded: Cash Prizes Awarded:

1st Place—$100 1st Place—$100 2nd Place—$75 2nd Place—$75 3rd Place—$50 3rd Place—$50 $25 prize to each of the other nine winning photos. Photos featured oneach the back willother receive a calendar. $25 prize to of the nine winning photos. Photos featured on the back will receive a calendar. Winning entries will be announced and featured in the 2022 AgCredit Calendar, AgCredit and Leader, socialin media, and our Winning entries will bethe announced featured the 2022 website. Calendar, the AgCredit Leader, social media, and our AgCredit

website. To submit an entry, go to AgCredit.net.

To submit an entry, go to AgCredit.net. If you have any questions, please contact the marketing atquestions, marketing@agcredit.net If department you have any please contact the marketing department at marketing@agcredit.net

AGCREDIT LEADER APRIL 2021

Valerie Wallis, winner of our 2021 Valerie Wallis, winner ofContest our 2021 Calendar Photo Calendar Photo Contest

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

PAID

610 W. Lytle Street Fostoria, OH 44830

Remember to Vote! As a stockholder in this borrower-owned cooperative, I urge you to take an active part by participating in our upcoming elections. You will receive your ballot by mail within 10 days after the Annual Meeting. We will again be offering an option to vote electronically as well as the traditional mail in ballot. Please follow the instructions on your ballot and be sure to get your vote in prior to the established deadline. We appreciate your participation in one of the elements that sets your cooperative apart from the rest—AgCredit, ACA Stockholders determine their own governance by electing their peers to the Board of Directors. Your Board and Management Team have always believed in this simple observation: “Who better than farmers themselves know what farmers need?” Your vote supports this concept. Thank you for supporting your cooperative.

Brian J. Ricker, CEO

AgCredit.net

COLUMBIA, SC PERMIT 1183