Farming with Family & Friends Winter 2016

FARM CREDIT OF WESTERN ARKANSAS

FARMING with Family & Friends

One cattleman’s mission to help alleviate hunger in Arkansas

WINTER 2016

Table of Contents

2 Director Election Results

Meet the three newly-elected directors

4

Arkansas Beef Project Joining forces and connecting resources to provide food-insecure Arkansans with beef

10 Referral Rewards

12

Photo Contest Winners

15 2016 Arkansas Farm Families

Western Arkansas members named district

and county winners

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President’s Letter News Briefs About the Cover

John Paul Pendergrass (right) gives Farm Credit Regional Vice President Perry McCourt a tour of the Pendergrass Cattle Company facilities in Charleston.

John Paul’s work with the Arkansas Beef Project is providing beef protein for food pantries across the state.

Photo by Jill Robertson

Published for the members and friends of Farm Credit of Western Arkansas Office Locations and Loan Officers Arkadelphia 2858 Walnut 870-246-8061 / 800-598-8413 Rachael Godwin, David Smith Benton 1207 Ferguson Drive 501-860-6391 Kevin Barham Bentonville 1080 SE 14th St., Suite A 479-273-3311/800-953-6803 Darla Larson Danville 302 E. 5th Street

479-495-2711 / 800-953-6802 Lora Briggs De Queen 800 Magnolia 870-584-3113 / 800-421-7714 Connie Jones Fort Smith 12907 Hwy 71 South 479-434-4040 Andrea Leding, James Crabtree, Perry McCourt Glenwood 131 Hwy 70 E. 870-356-2023 / 800-618-2018 Jordan Pearce Greenbrier 89C N. Broadview 501-679-5464 / 800-968-2961 Cecil Oursbourn Harrison 129 W. Industrial Park Road 870-741-2020 / 800-953-6809 Brad Matlock, Dan Benton Hope 1722 E. 3rd Street 870-777-6704 / 800-431-1317 Jerry Nance, Clay Lance Huntsville 14238 Hwy 412 479-824-6622 Dilynn Dodd Magnolia 1703 Pittman Street 870-234-8611 / 800-495-1211 Shaun McKamie Mena 1607 Hwy 71 North 479-394-1027 / 800-846-0919 Rex Dollar Morrilton 1329 Hwy 9 501-354-2377 / 800-953-6804 Hank DeSalvo Nashville 302 W. Bishop 870-845-2221 / 800-575-0415 Denise Sweat Ozark 1808 Farm Credit Drive 479-667-3855 / 800-953-6807 Tom White, Perry McCourt Paris 3772 Hwy 22 West 479-963-2841 / 800-953-6805 Donna Cunningham Prairie Grove 1181 E. Heritage Parkway 479-824-3418 Daniel Keeton Russellville 2797 East Parkway 479-968-5030 / 800-953-6801 Jim Taylor, Anna Lester Siloam Springs 4970 Hwy 412 East 479-524-6754 / 800-392-6912 Savannah Dickinson Texarkana 2805 E. Broad Street 870-772-1882 / 800-451-6120 Jonathan Shumate, Jennifer Day, Randy Coulson Tontitown 1091 W. Henri de Tonti Blvd.

800-953-6806 / 479-717-6740 Kyle Karr

Board of Directors Randy Arnold (Chairman), Alma Chuck Davis, Jr. (Vice Chairman), Ashdown Kenny Brixey, Casa Troy W. Buck, Alpine Steve Burke, Washington Scott Carter, Danville

Bob Dixon, Havana Dusty Hampton, Russellville Kim Hogan, Ozark Ron Hubbard, London Bill Linton, Dover Kenny Martin, De Queen Gene Pharr, Lincoln Mark Wilcox, Greenbrier L. Duane Wilson, Fayetteville

President and CEO Glen Manchester Editor Jill Robertson Jill.Robertson@farmcredit.com

A young girl stopped me at church one Sunday to proudly show me the medal that hung around her neck. She and her champion rabbit had earned it that week at the Pope County Fair.

Jill Robertson She was Editor beaming about her accomplishment, and I congratulated her. I’m proud to know that Farm Credit contributes to the county and state fair experiences of many young people like her.

From exhibitor meals to Herdsman Awards (page 14), to add-on money at premium sales and more, Farm Credit supports youth who embrace the work that goes into showing animals at all levels.

Farming is published by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.

Please address any comments to Editor, Farming, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, 3115 W. 2nd Court, Russellville, AR 72801.

Member Cooperative Communicators Association. © 2016 Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.

Printed with farmer-grown soybean ink on recycled paper.

PRESIDENT’s LETTER­

I

N THE LAST ISSUE, I SHARED the phenomenal success that your Farm Credit is enjoying in 2016, following last year’s record breaking year. Now, I am happy to report that the success continues! It appears almost certain that management will be able to recommend a $7,500,000 patronage payout in 2017 from 2016 earnings! This puts total CASH patronage placed back in Western Arkansas members’ hands at $100 MILLION since 1997. What a great achievement and capstone to Farm Credit’s 100-year anniversary celebration!

Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward recently presented Arkansas Farm Credit associations with a letter from Governor Asa Hutchinson recognizing the Farm Credit System’s milestone (page 17).

Governor Hutchinson commended the contributions Farm Credit has made, and continues to make, in Arkansas.

Additionally, I believe your Farm Credit will have more than $250,000,000 in capital by year end.

In comparison, the association had $64,700,000 in capital and returned $970,000 in patronage in 1997. Your Farm Credit has done very, very well.

One of the many individuals who contributed to this success is retiring board member Bruce Alford. Mr. Alford was as a director for more than 20 years and served as chairman of the board for a good portion of that time. This year, he chose to not seek another four-year term. As you have the opportunity, please let Bruce and Linda (his wife) know that you ap-

Glen Manchester President and CEO

preciate their many years of service.

As a customer-owner, your vote for Farm Credit guidance is completed for the year. You chose returning board members: Kenny Brixey and Bill Linton, as well as Dr. Kenny Martin to replace Mr. Alford. As directors, they will help provide governance and help set strategic direction that reflects members’ wants and needs.

Congratulations to those elected to serve on the 2017 Nominating Committee. Thank you for taking the time to evaluate potential candidates and slate director nominees. You provide a valuable service to your Farm Credit.

Thank you for your business, as well. Without a doubt, I’m confident that your Farm Credit’s advantages will continue to stand the test of time as we embark on our next century of cooperative financial service to rural, western Arkansas.

We proudly support John Paul Pendergrass’ proactive work in addressing hunger across the state (page 4). His work in helping organize the Arkansas Beef Project is an inspirational story for the holiday season, and beyond.

Wishing you holidays that capture the peace that passes understanding.

Farm Credit of Western Arkansas 1997 Cash Patronage $970,000 Capital $6,700,000 Cash Patronage to Date >$1,000,000

*Forecast 2016 Year-­‐End $7,500,000 $250,000,000+ $10,000,000

* Cash Patronage based on 2016 earnings, and paid in February of 2017

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2016 Director Election Results

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William “Bill” L. Linton, Jr. Pope County Area #2 (4-year term) Carroll, Madison, Newton, Franklin, Johnson and Pope Counties

Kenneth “Kenny” Brixey Perry County Area #4 (4-year term) Boone, Marion, Baxter, Searcy, Van Buren, Conway, Faulkner and Perry Counties

Kenneth “Kenny” W. Martin, DVM Sevier County Area #6 (4-year term) Sevier, Little River, Miller, Lafayette, Nevada, Columbia, Ouachita, Union and Calhoun Counties

Bill Linton has a cow/calf operation on 270 acres in Dover, AR. A life-long cattle farmer, he retired in 2010 after a 35-year career as a loan officer in Pope and Yell Counties for Farm Credit of Western Arkansas. He has a degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Arkansas Tech University.

He and wife Dale have three adult children and five grandchildren. This will be Bill’s second 4-year term as director.

“One of the most critical issues is to hire, train, and retain quality employees. The association has selected and trained well in the past, but this is an on-going process. We do have several long-term employees that will be eligible to retire in the next few years,” Bill explained when asked what he believes to be a critical issue facing the association.

Kenny Brixey is a poultry farmer in Casa, AR. He owns four broiler houses as a contract grower for Wayne Farms. He earned an associate’s degree in ranch management from Texas Christian University. He and wife Kim have two adult children and one grandchild. Kenny has been a director since 2003.

Kenny points to funding model changes made by AgriBank this year, as well as pending proposed funding changes, as critical issues facing the association.

“Issues that affect our association in significant ways have to be dealt with in a timely manner that protects our association and its owners. The board, along with management, have the responsibility to sit down and develop the appropriate actions to each issue. This can only be accomplished with a high level of trust between board members and management. The board members have the responsibility to come to meetings fully prepared, willing to listen to every side of the issue and engage in the discussion to develop the appropriate response.”

Kenny Martin is a veterinarian and owns Ashdown Vet Clinic and De Queen Animal Hospital. He lives in De Queen and owns swine for show purposes, and horses. In the 1980s he was a row crop and fish farmer. He graduated from Dumas High School and earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Arkansas at Monticello. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 1996 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. He and wife Jennifer have four children, ages 9 to 17. This is Kenny’s first term as director.

“My goal is to continue the growth and strong reputation of Farm Credit, and prepare the association for the next generation of farmers and ranchers,” Kenny explained when asked the goal he hoped to achieve as director.

Thank you, Bruce Alford, for your service!

Bruce Alford chose to retire from the Board of Directors this year. He has served as a director since 1994, a number of those years as Chairman.

He is a life-long cattle rancher. He and wife Linda live in Lewisville where they have a large stocker cattle operation and raise wheat. Farm Credit appreciates Bruce’s 22 years of service to the association.

Current board chairman Randy Arnold presented retiring director Bruce Alford with a plaque of appreciation.

The 15-member Farm Credit of Western Arkansas Board of Directors is comprised of a combination of member-elected directors and boardappointed directors, as dictated by association by-laws. All serve a fouryear term.

12 Directors – stockholders directly elected by association members 1 Director – stockholder appointed by the Board of Directors 2 Directors – nonstockholders selected by the Board of Directors

Nominating Committee Results Members serve a one-year term and are responsible for slating candidates for the 2017 Board of Directors election.

Area #1A Area #1B Kevin Harmon Johnny Gunsaulis Benton County Washington County Area #2A Area #2B Justin “Taylor” Gattis James A. Ford Franklin County Franklin County Area #3A Area #3B Allen L. Johnson Casey T. Cotton Logan County Logan County Area #4A Area #4B James W. Mann Jerry L. Hartwick Perry County Faulkner County Area #5A Area #5B Linda Kitchens Randy W. Peck Howard County Hempstead County Area #6A Area #6B Leslie Huddleston Michelle K. Sawyer Little River County Sevier County

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MEMBERS­

Connecting Resource

The Arkansas Beef Project’s effort t

F

OR MANY, THE HOLIDAYS are a time of plenty. Family and friends gather around food-laden tables and give thanks.

The holidays are also a time we focus on giving.

America is the land of plenty, producing food for much of the world.

But nearly five million Americans over the age of 60 are food insecure.

They lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Arkansas has more food insecure senior citizens than any other state.

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In addition, of the 1.8 billion pounds of food distributed nationally through Feeding America food banks and member agencies last year, only 9% of donations were meat protein.

These facts struck a chord with John Paul Pendergrass of Charleston a few years ago when a friend made a donation to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance in honor of his father’s birthday. The friend included a note with the donation, explaining the problem of food insecurity among Arkansans.

That note was timely as John Paul,

Arkansas Lead Farmer for the Farmers Feeding the World program, was looking for a way for his farm team members to do significant work in the state.

Farmers Feeding the World Farmers Feeding the World is a Farm Journal Foundation initiative. The foundation sought John Paul’s participation after Dr. Steve Halbrook, University of Arkansas agriculture economics professor and department chair, recommended him. John Paul was interviewed by

es – Creating Solutions

to help alleviate hunger in Arkansas Foundation staff, and was named Lead Farmer for Arkansas in 2014.

John Paul was charged with establishing the Arkansas team.

He recruited long-time friend Jerry Burkett of Stuttgart and Nathan Reed of Marianna. Purposefully adding successful farmers from central and eastern Arkansas gave the group a statewide presence.

“I reached out to fellow farmers I respect and who are leaders in their communities,” he said. “As farmers, we share a passion for producing food and feeding people.”

The team has developed close ties with Arkansas’ congressional delegation and team members have made three trips to Washington, D.C. over the last three years to garner support for the 2016 Global Food Security Act. The bipartisan bill promotes global food security, resilience and nutrition.

It promotes U.S. national security interests by reducing poverty, hunger and malnutrition around the world.

“Basically, if a country is not food secure,” John Paul explained, “that government is less politically stable and may either be facing some type

of conflict or be less friendly to the United States.”

After the Global Food Security Act was approved by Congress and was signed by the President in July, Farmers Feeding the World challenged Lead Farmers to identify ways to assist with hunger, agricultural research and development or global food security issues in their own states.

John Paul was looking for how the Arkansas Farmer Team might make a difference in Arkansas when that friend’s note about hunger and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance

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landed in his hands. He says a light bulb went on, and he knew there was an opportunity to address food insecurity issues through the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.

“I knew it was something I needed to do,” he said.

John Paul, the rancher John Paul Pendergrass is a lifelong Franklin County cattle rancher.

He and his father John Frank Pendergrass have a large stocker cattle operation near Charleston, AR. Six generations have raised cattle on the family’s western Arkansas ranch, which dates back to 1870.

He earned an agriculture economics degree from the University of Arkansas and had jobs in the agriculture and lending fields before choosing to join the family cattle business.

John Paul and father John Frank operate the business together.

The Arkansas Beef Project

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John Paul called the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance in Little Rock and, together, they quickly realized the value that would come from working together. Since 2004, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance has been building a coordinated food distribution system in the state.

Once John Paul realized the value of working with the Alliance, he decided to also reach out to the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association. As a longtime member, he knew the group well and was comfortable asking for their help. He believed the project aligned well with the organization’s values and thought fellow producers would offer support.

“As cattle producers, we know we have a healthy product,” John Paul explained.

“Cattlemen are generous and when they learned there was a need, they were quick to help because

it was the thing to do. Cattlemen’s president Gary Patton of Wooster has been extremely helpful.”

“The Arkansas Cattlewomen’s Association is sponsoring The Arkansas Beef Project, as well. These are a dedicated group of women led

by Betty Gardner.”

Both groups are actively raising funds for the project.

It was John Paul’s research and leg work that connected existing groups and resources needed to ultimately create The Arkansas Beef Project, a program within the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.

The Arkansas Beef Project is a collaborative effort between: The Farm Journal Foundation Farmers Feeding the World The Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association The Arkansas Cattlewomen’s Association Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance

The goal The Arkansas Beef Project’s goal is to raise money to purchase beef for Arkansas food pantries which supply food banks statewide, thus feeding thousands of food-insecure Arkansans.

While John Paul first envisioned asking cattle producers for live animal donations, he soon realized it was more efficient to solicit monetary contributions. The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is able to purchase food, including beef, at a discount rate through a network of suppliers across the state. This maximizes total meat donations while still supporting the Arkansas beef industry.

Partnering with the Alliance makes sense for a number of reasons.

100% of funds raised by the Arkansas Beef Project go for the purchase of beef for food banks and pantries across the state.

The Arkansas Beef Project is a program of the Arkan-

Regional Vice President Perry McCourt and John Paul hav Farm Credit support the Arkansas Beef Project on a statew

sas Hunger Relief Alliance in Little Rock. Arkansas Farmers Feeding the

World partnered with the Alliance because they have transportation and logistics in place to supply Arkansas’s six Feeding America food banks and the pantries they serve.

Beef donations will greatly benefit food insecure children, families and the elderly.

“Protein donations are in high demand, but they are harder to come by than donations of processed or non-perishable food,” said Michelle Shope, food sourcing and logistics director for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.

“The Arkansas Beef Project will meet an important nutritional need for Arkansans who cannot afford to purchase much meat. We are grateful to the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and Arkansas Farmers Feeding the World for their leadership in this

commitment of more than $16,500 toward the sustainability of the project.

“I’ve known John Paul for twentyfive years,” said McCourt. “I know him well enough to know that if he’s giving his time and support to a cause, it’s an important cause.”

AgHeritage Farm Credit Services (central Arkansas) and Farm Credit Midsouth (eastern Arkansas) have joined Farm Credit of Western Arkansas in supporting the project.

They are making a $6,000 donation over three years.

farmersfeedingtheworld.org

ve worked together since 1991. Perry suggested that wide basis.

unique and innovative program,” said Alliance Executive Director Kathy Webb.

“It makes sense to partner with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance because they have an efficient food distribution network in place. It allows 100% of the money we raise to go toward beef purchases,” John Paul continued.

Farm Credit’s support As a Farm Credit of Western Arkansas member, John Paul contacted long-time loan officer and Regional Vice President Perry McCourt to share details of the program. Farm Credit quickly offered a five-year

Farmers Feeding the World is an initiative of the Farm Journal Foundation.

The Farm Journal Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining agriculture’s ability to serve the vital needs of a growing world population with education and empowerment. The Farm Journal Foundation aims to rally communities around the fight against world hunger through programs including Farmers Feeding the World, HungerU and more.

Farm Journal Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation formed in 2010 by leaders of Farm Journal Media, who wanted to leverage the Farm Journal brand’s unique position as the most trusted media brand in agriculture, to affect social change.

The Farm Journal Foundation leverages farmers and ranchers, industry, academia, government, consumers and NGO partnerships to: • Elevate the next generation’s understanding of the connection between expanding global nutritional needs and advanced agriculture’s capacity to meet those needs.

• Advocate for a policy environment that prioritizes hunger issues and empowers farmers and ranchers to meet the challenge.

• Advance sustainable agricultural development and other proven hunger solutions. The Foundation is dedicated to sustaining agriculture’s ability to nmeet the vital needs of a growing population through education and empowerment.

Farmers Feeding the World A Farm Journal Foundation initiative Farmers Feeding the World is a platform for Farm Journal Foundation programs that engage individual farmers and farmer organizations in the philanthropic support of hunger alleviation. Farmers Feeding the World is a national network of farmers passionate about the role of agriculture in addressing hunger around the world.

Farm Team members seek to engage with policy makers, promoting a national vision and commitment to international agricultural development in U.S. foreign policy.

Arkansas is one of 16 states with a Farmers Feeding the World initiative, and John Paul Pendergrass of Charleston is the Lead Farmer in the state.

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You can help, too!

You’re invited to help supply ground beef for food-insecure Arkansans through the Arkansas Beef Project, as well. We challenge you to join Farm Credit in making a multi-year, sustaining contribution to ensure the long-term success of the program.

You can donate online by going to http://tinyurl.com/zb56xns.

Learn more about the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance at www. arhungeralliance.org.

Thank you, John Paul Farm Credit applauds John Paul for following his conscience when he

learned the facts about food insecurity in our state. A humble man, he simply explains that he knew he had to do something about it. May his example, along with the work that he and others do to help alleviate hunger, serve as an inspiration this holiday season.

Story and photos by Jill Robertson

(Above) John Frank and son John Paul are fifth and sixth generation cattle ranchers on the Pendergrass family ranch in Charleston, AR. (Below) Farmers Feeding the World Arkansas team members John Paul Pendergrass (left) and Jerry Burkett along with Farm Credit of Western Arkansas Regional Vice President Perry McCourt (right) presented Farm Credit’s donation to the Arkansas Beef Project to Alliance Executive Director Kathy Webb.

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NEW

Fresh & Local Loan Program New lending program designed to support non-traditional producers selling direct to consumers

The Fresh & Local Loan Program is designed to assist smaller, non-traditional producers who produce protein, vegetables or other agricultural products and sell directly to local consumers.

Modified loan standards and quick, local loan approval make this an attractive financing opportunity for small farmers in need of $25,000, or less, with a maximum Farm Credit total loan commitment of $50,000. We will work with people wanting to enter farming as well as existing small farmers who may want funds to expand their operation.

Fresh and Local loans are another example of our commitment to enriching rural western Arkansas communities. Farm Credit stands ready to assist small producers as the demand for fresh, local food continues to grow.

WHO QUALIFIES: Small producers selling directly to consumers. Protein, produce or products created directly from an agricultural product the producer raises, or grows. Business plan must include a through-put sold to consumers. Examples include, but are in no means limited to: •Honey from personal bee hives •Soap from personal goats •Jams/jellies from personal berries, or orchard •Produce from personal garden/farm LOAN DETAILS: •$25,000 maximum loan amount per borrower, or entity •Available for real estate purchases, improvements, specialty equipment, small tractors, plants, annual operating costs, small buildings, etc.

•Little or no collateral required (terms and business plan will dictate) •Relaxed credit standards •Little or no down payment, on a case-by-case basis •1 – 3 year loan terms (longer terms as appropriate) •All regular loan payment and collection requirements apply BENEFITS: Participants become voting members and enjoy all benefits of Farm Credit membership, including Patronage Cash.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact your local Farm Credit of Western Arkansas branch office, or go to myaglender.com.

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2016 Referral Rewards Program The $1,000 grand prize winner is Dana Zimmerman, who was one of 152 members who referred a new member who closed an agricultural loan with us. Compliance regulations prohibit Farm Credit from giving monetary awards to persons referring consumer loans.

Dana Zimmerman of Hattieville is our grand prize winner! She was thrilled when Loan Officer and Branch Manager Hank DeSalvo of the Morrilton branch office called to tell her she’d won the $1,000 prize.

Once again, our members have proven to be the best sales tool we have!

Western Arkansas members referred 152 new members totaling $22,830,099 in NEW LOAN BUSINESS from November 1, 2015 through October 31, 2016.

More than $18.9 million of the total is long-term (FLCA) loan money, meaning it’ll make a significant impact to our association’s success for years to come.

By telling friends and family about Farm Credit’s advantages and why they do business with us, our member-owners continue to grow our association. That means strengthening our capital and most likely contributing to another strong year of Patronage Cash for our member-owners.

Members routinely point to Patronage Cash as an obvious reason to do business with Farm Credit in western Arkansas. Who doesn’t like to open that patronage envelope in February and smile because they are an owner enjoying their share of the profits!

Watch for details about our 2017 Referral Rewards Program. Beginning in January, you’ll find details at myaglender.com and your local branch office.

Your referrals have grown our Farm Credit by 1,369 new members and

$185.6 MILLION in new loan volume

over the past eight years.

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2016 Western Arkansas

Adult Division 1st Place $300 Belinda Wright (Waldron)

Adult Division 2ndPlace $200 Becky Foster (Danville)

Adult Division 3rd Place $100 Cynthia Reid (Glenwood) 12

Photo Contest Winners

Youth Division 1st Place $300 Matthew Nannemann (age 17) (Nashville)

Youth Division 2nd Place $200 Tandi Wooton (age 12) (Magazine)

Youth Division 3rd Place $100 Audra Bridges (age 15) (Magazine) 13 F A R M I N G

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Arkansas State Fair Herdsman Awards

A

S HAS BECOME OUR TRAdition, we support the hard work of young people committed to showing their animals at the Arkansas State Fair by sponsoring special Herdsman Awards.

Judges rate exhibitors on the appearance of their animals, cleanliness of the pen, bedding and aisles, and optional signs or dĂŠcor.

Awards can go to individual exhibitors, county exhibitors, or entire FFA chapters or 4-H clubs. The Herdsman Award competition is open to all exhibitors from across the state.

2016 Herdsman Award Winners

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Jr. Swine $300 Green County 4-H $200 Bradley FFA $100 Mayflower 4-H

Jr. Sheep $300 Pocahontas FFA $200 Pocahontas FFA

$100 Abbie Lamb (Nashville)

Jr. Beef $300 January and Jaden Tweedy (English) (Imboden)

$200 Brayden Drum (Harrisburg)

$100 Center Ridge Show Team

Jr. Dairy Cattle $300 Buckner Ayr Farms (Charles- ton)

$200 Julie Griffin (Siloam Springs)

$100 Rocky Creek Farm (Damascus)

Jr. Beef (Exotics)

Jr. Goats

$300 $200 $100

Kalli Smith (Gillham) Charlie Names (Sheridan) Morgan Bonner (Nashville)

Jr. Steers & $300 Sloan-Hendrix FFA (Imboden) Heifers $200 Cave City FFA $100 Horatio FFA

$300 $200 $100

Market Lambs $300

$200

Sunni Deb Weaver (Crossett) Katelyn Wheeler (Hot Springs) Meredith Helms (Smithville) Karlie Thew (Mt. Ida) Jessica Wesson (Searcy)

2016 Farm Families of the Year Farm Credit of Western Arkansas members earn honors

F

ARM CREDIT IS AGAIN proud to be a statewide sponsor of the Farm Family of the Year program through the Arkansas Farm Bureau organization. Congratulations to Western Arkansas members who have earned district and county honors for their stellar farming and management skills and community leadership.

Two of the eight district winners are Farm Credit of Western Arkansas members. They will be honored at a luncheon in Little Rock on December 8. The state winner will be named at that time. The state winner will go on to compete in the 2017 Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition next fall. The Wildy family of Mississippi County was last year’s state winner and they beat out eight other state winners to win the overall competition in Georgia this fall.

DISTRICT WINNERS: Northwest District Mark and Shay Morgan Family (Peach Pickin’ Paradise) of Clarksville (Johnson County) West Central District Joel and Amanda Whisenhunt family of Nashville (Howard County)

COUNTY WINNERS: Harold and Mary Beth Hendrix family of Marshall (Searcy County) Wes and Shonna Parker family of Omaha (Boone County) Brad and Haley Hall and family of Rudy (Crawford County) Kendall and Stephanie Pendergraft of Hindsville (Washington County) Brett and Teresa Fawcett of Ashdown (Little River) Brandon and Lisa Wren of Texarkana (Miller County) Michael and Kim Dickey family of Greenbrier (Faulkner County) James and Cindy Mann family of Bigelow (Perry County) Jared and Whitney Mahoney family of Russellville (Pope County) Phillip and Patricia Maben family of De Queen (Sevier County)

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NEWS BRIEFS­

NEW FACES Chris Criner joined the Farm Credit team as a Financial Services

but she graduated from Russellville High School. She has a background in the insurance field. She and husband Gary live in Russellville with their four Pomeranians.

Brooke Milloway joined the Farm Credit team in late November as a

Operating Officer on October 1. Brandon joined Farm Credit in 2008 and has served as Vice President and Chief Credit Officer since November of that year. He earned a degree from the University of Central Arkansas and served nine years as Vice President of Ag Lending at a large bank before joining Farm Credit.

Justin Carter assumed the responsibilities of Senior Vice President,

Specialist in Harrison in October.

She was raised in Harrison and has 16 years of title company experience.

Chris has a 21-year-old son, Cody, and her hobbies include deer hunting and watching sports. She’s active in the community and currently serves as the president of the Boone County United Way. Lisa Herren is a part-time Project Intern working on computer-

Financial Reporting Analyst in the Central Office. Brooke has a degree in accounting and management marketing from Arkansas Tech University, and is also a CPA. She has accounting experience with a large accounting firm, a bank auditing background and most recently worked as a hospital accountant. While originally from Little Rock, she and husband David live in Clarksville and their hobbies include hiking.

CHANGING PLACES Leadership roles have been changing as the association prepares for Executive Vice President Tom Peebles’ retirement in late December.

Brandon Haberer was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief

programing projects in the Central Office. She is a senior at Arkansas Tech University and will earn degrees in computer science and information technology systems in 2018. Lisa was raised in a military family and lived in seven different states growing up,

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Chief Credit Officer on October 1.

He’d served as Vice President of Risk Management since 2009. Justin began his Farm Credit career as a loan officer in Arkadelphia in 1999. He became the branch manager in Siloam Springs in 2003. He has a degree in ag business and a master’s degree in ag economics, both from the University of Arkansas.

October 1 also marked the day Charlie McConnell accepted his new responsibilities as Senior Vice

President and Chief Lending Officer.

He began his Farm Credit career in 2001 in Missouri. He joined our association as Vice President of Audit and Review in early 2010. Charlie earned an ag business degree from Missouri State University.

Arkansas Agriculture Department Recognition The Arkansas Agriculture Department recognized the Farm Credit System’s 100-year milestone anniversary at the quarterly meeting of the state agriculture board. Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward presented the four Arkansas Farm Credit associations with a letter of recognition from Governor Asa Hutchinson.

RETIREES Charla Keys retired as Vice President of Human Resources on

Mark Kaufman (CEO of Delta ACA Farm Credit), Randy Kingston (Senior Vice President Chief Marketing and Operations Officers of Farm Credit Midsouth), Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, Scott Sullivan, Greg Cole (CEO of AgHeritage Farm Credit Services), and Glen Manchester (CEO of Farm Credit of Western Arkansas).

2017 Scholarship Program Information and applications for 2017 scholarships will be posted on myaglender.com in early Janaury. 20 - $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in late March.

Arkansas Women in Ag Conference October 31 after 25 years of service.

She worked in the Central Office in Russellville and coordinated all employee benefits and services. Charla’s smile and helpfulness touched all employees.

Ronda Austin, Financial Services Specialist in the Harrison branch of-

Save the date! Women from across the state are invited to the 2017 conference that will be held March 14-15 in North Little Rock. Details at ARWIA on Facebook.

FREE 2017 calendars FREE 2017 calendars, featuring a number of photos from our photo contest, will be available at your local Farm Credit branch office in early December.

Stop by and pick one up!

fice, retired in mid-October after 35 years of service. Ronda’s cheerful personality will be missed by coworkers and members, alike.

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Enriching rural life. TM Let Farm Credit’s industry-leading knowledge, competitive products, and 100 years of agricultural and rural financing experience help you!

OF WESTERN ARKANSAS

3115 W. 2nd Court, Russellville, AR 72801

PRESRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID CAROL STREAM, IL PERMIT NO. 1369

• Real estate, operating, and equipment loans for farms • Timberland • Forest Products/ Processing/ Marketing • Truck and SUV leases • Home Mortgages in the country • Home construction loans • Mortgage, credit, life and disability insurance • Term-Life insurance protection • Farmland appraisals

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

HOLIDAY HOURS: Friday, December 23 8:00 AM – Noon Monday, December 26 Closed Tuesday, December 27 to Friday, December 30 Normal Hours, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:30 - 1:00 PM) Monday, January 2 Closed While the cut-off time for payments is 3:00 PM on regular business days, payments are due earlier on the last business day of the year. On Friday, December 30 payments must be made by NOON in order to be credited for 2016.

If mailing your payment, please allow at least five business days for delivery.

PARTING SHOT