Farming with Family & Friends Winter 2017

FARM CREDIT OF WESTERN ARKANSAS

FARMING with Family & Friends

Tran Family Trusts Farm Credit to Finance Farming Dream

WINTER 2017

Table of Contents

2 Director Election Results

Meet newly-elected Directors and Nominating

Committee members

4 Member story

Raising poultry in Wasington County

7 NEW Ag Scholarships

Farm Credit funding new college scholarships

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Photo Contest WINNERS! Check out the winning photos

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Bird Dogs!

Siloam Springs members purchase land for dog training

Customer Satisfaction at 96.9% 13

14 Community Involvement

Enriching rural Arkansas

16 Farm Family honorees

Members who’ve earned County and District

Farm Family titles

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Your Financial Cooperative

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President’s Letter News Briefs About the Cover

Beginning farmers Linh Tran and Kimberly Nguyen have found a trusted financial ally and friend in loan officer Daniel Keeton, Prairie Grove branch.

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 Jordan Pearce 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, Michael Ferguson 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, Chad Magness, Jennifer Hooper, Randy Coulson Tontitown 1091 W. Henri de Tonti Blvd.

800-953-6806 / 479-717-6740 Misty Eastep

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

Fair season has just ended.

There’s nothing quite like the excitement and energy of the show ring - and that’s just from the livestock!

Communications Specialist Lindsey Triplett created Jill Robertson a fun video Editor with youth loan member Kyla Ferguson. It spotlights the challenge of showing cattle.

Treat yourself to 37-seconds of the most fun you’ll have today and discover the hardest part of showing cattle. Go to Farm Credit of Western Arkansas’ Facebook page and find it in the video section.

I smile every time I watch it.

Thanks Kyla and Lindsey!

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, or to jill.robertson@farmcredit. com.

Member Cooperative Communicators Association. © 2017 Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.

Printed with farmer-grown soybean ink on recycled paper.

PRESIDENT’s LETTER­

Glen Manchester President and CEO

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S WITH EVERY ISSUE, THIS edition of Farming with Family and Friends will bring a glimpse of a few ways that Farm Credit makes a true difference in western Arkansas. You will once again see that our employees are true transformation makers and working with memberowners who fit outside “the norm” in many ways. After all, we realize that no two farming operations have the same needs, desires and goals. Farm Credit employees take the time to learn about each of their customers.

As promised in our last edition, you will now see more detail of the latest Customer Satisfaction Survey.

If you remember from the last edition, member-owners gave Farm Credit of Western Arkansas a 96.9% overall satisfaction rating and more than eighty percent of respondents awarded Farm Credit of Western Arkansas the HIGHEST RANKING of very satisfied, indicating exceptional customer service. As one member told me recently, Farm Credit has kept the best from the past and transformed into a high customer service organization. My hat is off to employees for these results.

While the feedback from the survey is overwhelmingly positive, our goal is continuous improvement, based on memberships’ input and direction. The first step has been to use the Customer Satisfaction Survey results to generate discussion at four Customer Advisor Meetings across western Arkansas. Board members and senior managers listened closely to member input at those meetings.

We drilled down into the results and

asked for detailed feedback. As the old saying goes: If you aren’t growing, you’re going backward. We want to fulfill the ever-changing needs of our customers. Listening to memberowners pilots us in the right direction.

You will also find the results of your Farm Credit’s annual election in this edition. Congratulations to each of the newly-elected representatives.

As a financial cooperative, memberowners elect fellow members to the Board of Directors and the next Nominating Committee. The Board of Directors is then responsible for setting the strategic course for your financial cooperative and holding management responsible for obtaining the desired goals. As you are able to see from our many past years’ of results, their direction to management has led your financial cooperative to favorable financial results, growing membership numbers, availability in more locations, and more service to western Arkansas.

Lastly, please know that we appreciate your business and referrals.

We are having fantastic memberowner growth in 2017. Without a doubt, your recommendation of Farm Credit made this growth possible.

God’s richest blessings,

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Director Election Results

Harold “Gene” Pharr Washington County

Area #1 Benton, Crawford and Washington Counties Term 2018-2022

Mark E. Wilcox Faulkner County

Area #4 Baxter, Boone, Conway, Faulkner, Marion, Perry, Searcy and Van Buren Counties Term 2018-2022

Charles A. “Chuck” Davis Little River County

Area #6 Calhoun, Columbia, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Sevier and Union Counties Term 2018-2022

Gene raises beef cattle and has a poultry operation. He and wife Cynthia live in Lincoln, AR. Gene farmed part-time while working in the poultry industry for 27 years before becoming a full-time farmer in 2002. He earned an Animal Science degree from the University of Arkansas.

Gene will be serving his second term as director. He has also served as an Arkansas Farm Bureau Director for the past eight years.

“I am pleased to continue my service as a board member, using my experience in poultry and beef production to make sure that the best interests of our members are served,” Gene said.

In Gene’s opinion, the most critical issue facing our association is accessing money at favorable rates.“We must make every effort to look at all available options to be sure we are borrowing new money at competitive rates for the benefit of our customers.”

Mark is a lifetime cattle farmer.

Currently, he raises beef cattle on 300 owned and 150 leased acres in Wooster, AR. He retired from county and state government positions after 20 years of service in 2011. Mark and wife Lisa live in Greenbrier.

Mark graduated from Greenbrier High School and attended Pulaski Tech College. This will be Mark’s second four-year term as a Director.

“My goal is to help the association keep the wellbeing of the customers and their interest first. I believe in what the association stands for and the quality of service it provides,” Mark said.

Mark also says hiring, training and retaining quality employees is a critical issue facing the association. He believes being aggressive in the job market is the key to attracting quality employees who value customer needs and who’ll work as a team for the good of the association.

Chuck has farmed for 44 years.

He owns and operates a row-crop and cow-calf stocker operation, raises broilers for Pilgrim’s Pride, and custom harvests pecans. In addition, he owns and operates Davis Feed Company, a feed store. He and wife Joan live in Ashdown.

Chuck has been a Farm Credit director for ten years and has served as Vice Chair of the Board since 2012.

He is also president of the Ashdown School Board and is a Little River County Quorum Court member.

“The downturn in farm economy is critical,” Chuck explains. “Farm Credit of Western Arkansas is committed to stand with our customers in bad times as well as good times.”

“As a Farm Credit board member, I feel it’s important to be accessible and listen to the concerns of borrowers.”

Election result percentages are available to stockholders upon their request. Contact Ginger Tippit at ginger.tippit@farmcredit.com or 479-968-1434 (ext. 5119). Or, write to Ginger Tippit, 3115 W. 2nd Ct., Russellville, AR 72801

Farm Credit is not like other lenders. Members electing their peers to serve as directors and help guide business decisions is part of our cooperative business structure.

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Director Area Map

Board of Directors The 15-member Farm Credit of Western Arkansas Board of Directors is comprised of a combination of member-elected directors and board-appointed directors, as dictated by association bylaws. All serve a four-year term.

• 12 directors are elected directly by

members. Each serves a four-year term.

Terms are staggered and three directors are up for re-election, annually.

• 1 director is a stockholder appointed by the board.

• 2 directors are non-stockholders select- ed by the board.

Newly Elected 2018 Nominating Committee Members AREA 1A: AREA 1B: William “Will” P. Lane Kevin Harmon (Benton County) (Benton County)

AREA 2A: AREA 2B: Justin “Taylor” Gattis James A. Ford (Franklin County) (Franklin County)

AREA 3A: Gerald Strobel (Logan County)

AREA 3B: Casey T. Cotton (Logan County)

AREA 4A: James W. Mann (Perry County)

AREA 5A: Linda Kitchens (Howard County)

AREA 6A: AREA 5B: AREA 6B: Matthew M. Cobb Michelle K. Sawyer Randy W. Peck (Hempstead County) (Little River County) (Sevier County)

AREA 4B: Jerry L. Hartwick (Faulkner County)

2017 Board of Directors (From left) Bob Dixon, Steve Burke, Kenny Martin, Duane Wilson, Bill Linton, Chuck Davis, Kenny Brixey, Scott Carter,Kim Hogan, Gene Pharr, Randy Arnold, Dusty Hampton, Mark Wilcox, Ron Hubbard and Troy Buck.

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MEMBER­

Linh Tran and Kimberly Nguyen own and operate four poultry houses in Lincoln, AR. New to farming, the couple and Daniel Keeton, Assistant Vice President and branch manager of the Prairie Grove office, have a strong working relationship built on mutual trust and respect.

Opportunity Knocks A chance meeting turns into a trusted working relationship

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T WAS A SIMPLE KNOCK ON a farmhouse door four years ago.

Farm Credit loan officers Daniel Keeton and Bill Roberson hoped to meet the poultry farmer who lived there. Instead, Kimberly Nguyen, the farmer’s sister, answered the door. Kimberly, husband Linh Tran and their three children had just relocated to Washington County from Louisiana, and were temporarily staying with her brother. Bill and Daniel introduced themselves. Kimberly asked a few questions about Farm Credit. Bill left his business card and he and Daniel thanked Kimberly for her time. Nobody would have guessed it was the start of a trusted working relationship. But it was.

Becoming poultry farmers Kimberly and Linh were drawn to northwest Arkansas because

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Kimberly’s family lives there. With a degree and experience in Management Information Sciences, Kimberly quickly found a position with Tyson Foods as programmer /analyst.

Linh left a family business and plumbing career in Louisiana. He was intrigued with the poultry operations owned by Kimberly’s relatives.

Kimberly and Linh quickly decided to purchase a poultry farm adjacent to her brother’s farm and secured a contract growing broilers for George’s.

They’ve named the farm 3 E Rock Poultry as a nod to their children Elina (age 12), Ella (age 10) and Evan (age 7).

“I was working with Kimberly’s brother in his chicken houses,” Linh explains. “He was a good teacher and offered advice, but I only had two flocks to learn on before we bought our own farm,” Linh remembers.

“I did a lot of listening and ob-

serving,” he continues. “Luckily, my plumbing background comes in handy and I’m able to easily handle mechanical things.”

“The first year we had our own houses it was rough, though,” Linh said. “I was still learning a lot and we were renovating all four houses.”

Kimberly was working full-time for Tyson, but assisted in the evenings with the administrative end of the business. Their farm has been a partnership from the beginning with Linh handling daily operations and Kimberly coordinating the paperwork and finances. The couple hopes their children will take a more active interest in the farm at some point.

When asked what the hardest part of the poultry business is , Linh smiles and without hesitation answers, “the weather, because I have no control over that.”

Connecting with Farm Credit

The AgDirect connection Daniel and Bill stopped by Kimberly’s brother’s farm that day because he’d recently worked with AgDirect. AgDirect is Farm Credit’s financing partner in the realm of equipment. Equipment dealers can offer AgDirect financing that is quick and easy. AgDirect only finances equipment. Because Farm Credit and AgDirect are partners, AgDirect financing in western Arkansas also benefits Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.

AgDirect customers often appreciate learning more about Farm Credit’s financing benefits so we often reach out to share details regarding farm, country home and agribusiness financing.

According to Kimberly, they first discussed their farm loan with a local bank, but the experience left her with an uneasy feeling.

She then remembered Farm Credit’s visit, found Bill’s business card and called. Bill explained how Farm Credit is different than a bank.

That as a financial cooperative, it’s owned by the members it serves and offers borrowers distinct advantages.

Advantages like rates and terms to fit individual needs and Patronage Cash when the association has a good year.

“I’m the kind of person who likes straight answers,” Kimberly explains. “Just tell me how it is and what needs to happen.”

“Bill and Daniel gave me straight answers from the beginning. I liked that. They were honest and I felt like I could trust them and they had our best interests in mind,” Kimberly said.

Four years into their financing relationship with Farm Credit, Kimberly and Linh have developed a close working relationship with Daniel Keeton. Daniel says that he and Kimberly talk by phone or text often.

Daniel is Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the Prairie Grove office and did much of his loan officer training with Bill Roberson.

Their particular loan was a complicated process because they had mortgages on properties in other states, Daniel remembers. Bill, who retired in 2015, guided Kimberly and Linh through the financing process while also using it as a training opportunity for Daniel.

“I remember he worked hard to make it work for them,” Daniel said, “Seeing Bill determined to help people made an impact on me. My goal is to always help the person sitting across the desk from me make the best plan for their farm, or home, or business.”

A trusted partnership “I can call Daniel anytime and he takes time to answer my questions,” Kimberly said. “It’s nice that he and others in the office are accessible on my schedule.”

“Kimberly and I talk often,” Daniel added. “She and Linh are great people and great business managers. When

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she calls it’s obvious that she and Linh have thought through their needs and made decisions. They’re easy to work with and she’s been wonderful to refer new business to Farm Credit.”

“He’s very good at explaining things so we understand it,” Kim said. “Shelly is great, too. I can call her and she’s always helpful. I know I can pick up the phone and ask her to make changes to our account and they’ll be done right away.”

Shelly Johnson and Lyndsey Lamproe are Financial Services Specialists in Prairie Grove. Michael Ferguson is a new Assistant Vice President and loan officer in the branch.

“Again, it goes back to the trust I have with Daniel and the staff in Prairie Grove,” she continued.

“We really have a great staff at Prairie Grove,” Daniel adds. “It’s a team effort that makes our customers successful and our branch successful.”

Referring others “Farm Credit is different,” Kimberly continued. “I know Farm Credit is on my side. They have their clients’ best interests in mind and that’s what I tell people when I recommend Daniel and Farm Credit.”

Kimberly and Linh have referred several new customers, including a cousin who first talked to a bank about financing a nearby farm.

“He wasn’t happy with the terms and, to me, the fees seemed too high,” Kimberly explained. “I told him it didn’t sound right and that he should call Daniel. I know Farm Credit’s fees are lower than banks, which would save him money.”

Opportunity truly knocked that day four years ago.

An opportunity for Linh and Kimberly to build a relationship with a trusted lender who continues to benefit them financially. An opportunity for Daniel to help people new to agriculture achieve their dream of owning a farm. And the opportunity for Farm Credit do what it’s done best for more than 100 years…meet the personal financing needs of rural Americans.

Story and photos by Jill Robertson

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TOP: Ella, Elina and Evan, the three E’s behind the farm’s name, 3 E Rock Poultry.

BOTTOM: Linh Tran and loan officer Daniel Keeton share a funny story while visiting on the farm. Mutual trust and respect create a strong foundation for the working relationship between Linh, Kimberly and Daniel.

Farm Credit creates three new agriculture scholarships $6,000 to be awarded by agriculture departments

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ARM CREDIT OF WESTERN Arkansas is committed to supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders. To further demonstrate this mission, the association created three new scholarships for students pursuing agriculture degrees at western Arkansas universities.

The agriculture departments at the University of Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University and Southern Arkansas University will each receive $2,000 annually for a Farm Credit of Western Arkansas scholarship.

While students will apply for the scholarship through the regular online university process, recipients will be chosen by a committee selected by the head of each agriculture department.

We support Arkansas agriculture programs in numerous ways.

Most notably, we proudly hire their graduates!

Employees were invited to participate in the scholarship check presentation to their alma mater. A visual affirmation how Farm Credit relies on the very agriculture education we’re supporting with these new scholarships!

Dr. Mack Rainey (center), department chair, accepted a $2,000 check on behalf of the Arkansas Tech University agriculture department from CEO Glen Manchester. Farm Credit employees Becca Freyaldenhoven, Hank DeSalvo, Lindsey Triplett, Wilson Overbey, Jim Taylor, Luann Berry, Josh Jones, Perry McCourt, Andrea Leding, Lora Briggs, Dan Benton, Tammy Knighton, Tom White, Tracy Criswell, Breana Langford, Brooke Milloway, David Hoskins, Hunter Daniel, Emily Russell and Norm Clayborn are ATU alumni.

Dr. Jeff Miller (center), department chair, received a $2,000 check on behalf of the Southern Arkansas University agriculture department from CEO Glen Manchester. Farm Credit employees Brian Cowart, Rex Dollar, Shaun McKamie, Karen Talley, Anna Lester, Denise Sweat, Robert Hardin, Jonathan Schumate, Sarah Myers, Jordan Jones, Milly Lindsey, Cheyenne Anderson, and Jordan Pearce are SAU alumni.

Dr. Lona Robertson (center), interim dean, received a $2,000 check on behalf of the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food & Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas from CEO Glen Manchester. Farm Credit employees Justin Carter, Allison Kline, Clay Lance, Dilynn Dodd, Brad Matlock, Rachael Godwin, Daniel Keeton, Chris Sossamon, Phillip Hoskins, James Crabtree, Rex Dollar, Michael Ferguson and Becca Freyaldenhoven are U of A alumni.

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WINNERS OF OUR 20 ADULT DIVISION

1st Place: Cynthia Reid Glenwood, AR

3rd Place: Doug Nordin Pottsville, AR

2nd Place: Caleigh Moyer Prairie Grove, AR

017 PHOTO CONTEST YOUTH DIVISION

1st Place: Macy Lamkin (age 17) Buckner, AR

2nd Place: JoLea Bridges (age 14) Magazine, AR 3rd Place: Abby Wilkins (age 8) Lamar, AR

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This is a great time to start thinking about photos to enter next year. Watch for 2018 Photo Contest details at www.myaglender.com.

Q&A

with hunting couple & new landowners the Kopeks

The Natural State is home to many beautiful forests, lakes, mountains and even the duck hunting capital of the world, Stuttgart.

With plenty of diverse scenery and wildlife, it comes as no surprise that hunting is a passion for many Arkansans.

Whether it’s fueled by their passion for the outdoors or love for conservation, each hunter looks forward to cooler weather and time spent in the stand or blind.

Husband and wife hunting duo John and Lindsey Kopek are no exception.

They’re both passionate about the outdoors and hunting. They are also new Farm Credit members and were referred by family members who knew they were searching for a good land-financing option.

They graciously agreed to share more about the hobby that consumes much of their free time as well as their new acreage.

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Left - John & Lindsey after a successful duck hunt. Top right - The Kopeks review loan documents with Siloam Springs loan officer Savannah Dickinson. Bottom right - Lindsey practices her training skills with their lab, Daffodil.

How long have you both been hunting and how did you get started?

John: I’ve been hunting my entire life and grew up doing it with my dad. I told her the first year we started dating, “I’m literally gone every weekend from at least the first of November until the first of February.” Northwest Arkansas is void of any ducks or deer so I usually travel to Missouri the first half and then southeast Arkansas the second half of the season.

Lindsey: I didn’t start hunting until we actually started dating. I always thought it would be fun to do, but I didn’t get started until I met him. I’m very independent, so I was fine with him being gone, but he wanted to take me. At first I wasn’t sure it was for me, but when I shot my first banded duck and greenhead in Missouri, I was hooked.

What do you hunt?

John: Deer, duck and turkey. We only bow hunt deer though. It’s more of a challenge and it gives us something to do until duck season starts and we start chasing ducks full time.

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What’s your favorite species to hunt?

John: I like duck hunting because of the dogs and you’re with other people and can sit there and shoot the breeze, fellowship and talk.

Lindsey: Duck hunting is my favorite, but turkey is a close second.

Tell me about training your dogs for hunting season. How many do you train and what goes into getting them ready for opening day?

John: We have two black labs we train. I grew up helping my dad do it. He’s been training dogs since I was a kid. Girl dogs are much more level-headed, calm and cool – but even older dogs are like kids and have a short attention span. I work with them at least 10-15 minutes a day, whether it’s just obedience or working on retrieving.

Lindsey: Our girl dog, Daffodil, is almost nine. The boy, Sedge is three.

Daffodil wants to be next to you all the time and make you happy, while Sedge doesn’t always know where he’s going or what he’s doing. Since Daffodil already has the experience and knows how to train, I’ve mostly been

using her to learn how to train them.

What fuels your passion for the outdoors?

John: I feel like it’s something that’s been instilled in me. I’ve loved doing it ever since I was a little kid.

Lindsey: I love it so much because it’s something we can do together.

At first, I thought he was going to be gone a lot and I didn’t think I’d be interested, but now we’ve started doing it together and it’s become our thing. Growing up, I also didn’t have a lot of confidence, so when he trained me how to properly use guns and shoot a bow, it gave me confidence knowing I can provide for myself.

Lindsey, do you think more females should be involved in hunting and the outdoor industry? If so, how can they get their foot in the door?

Lindsey: Definitely. I think the hardest part for me was going to somewhere like Cabela’s and trying to decide what gun to buy or what bow to get. You think to yourself, “Where in the world do I start?” The best thing you can do is ask questions.

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Left - John, Lindsey, Daffodil and Sedge pose for a picture next to their Farm Credit member sign.

Top right - John waits for his shot. Bottom right - Lindsey discs the land before planting winter wheat.

If you aren’t sure what to get, talk to your friends or the people who work in the store. The first step for me was to find that confidence to figure out what I needed and where to start.

You can also take it slowly. Don’t feel like you have to buy everything at once or spend a bunch of money on something you’re not positive you want to do yet.

Do you go on most of your hunts together?

Lindsey: We probably go on 9099% of our hunts together. There’s some he goes on with his guys, but if I’m not going with him, then I’m usually going somewhere else by myself.

What made you turn to Farm Credit for your land loan?

Lindsey: We actually came because my mom and dad are Farm Credit members. I decided to stop by the office one day to fill out an application because they said it was such an easy process and that Farm Credit was great to work with.

What made you decide to stay in the northwest Arkansas area?

Lindsey: My family is here. His family is here. For me, this is where I grew up and this is where I’d eventually like our kids to grow up. This is home.

John and Lindsey’s top hunting tips: 1. Make sure all of your equipment is in good working condition before a hunt.

What are your plans for the new land you’ve purchased?

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John: Right now, without our own tractor and having to borrow stuff, we’re kind of limited. I’ve got a grand plan for the future. What we’ve done this year is put in a simple dove field that we planted in winter wheat. Next year I’d like to put in sunflowers and soybeans. We’ve already been bow hunting on it a little bit.

2. Take the time to practice before the season starts so you can make clean, ethical shots.

3. Have all of your proper permits and licenses. Whether it’s the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission or another state’s conservation department – every year there are updates to seasons and bag limits, so make sure you’re reading up on those and that you understand them fully before you go out into the field.

4. Show respect for other hunters. Especially when duck hunting. Be polite by not crowding others. Be respectful to others using boat ramps and public areas.

5. Know the effective range of your weapon. Whether it’s your bow, shotgun or rifle, only take the shots you’re comfortable with and have practiced.

Story by Lindsey Triplett

Association earns 96.9% customer satisfaction rating Members offer valuable insight

As a financial cooperative, Farm Credit’s job is to support rural America with reliable credit. We take that a step further by striving to also provide the best customer service possible. To see how we’re doing, we regularly survey members and ask for detailed input. We review feedback and use the data to shape both short and long-term business plans.

When we survey members, we ask how Farm Credit is performing in core areas. This year we earned our highest marks for: Being easy to do business with Being an ag lender you can trust Being a responsible lender Having staff who follow through on commitments Having staff/offices that are easily accessible

88.5% 87.6% 87.3% 87.2% 87.1%

The association earned a 96.9% customer satisfaction rating from members this year.

We’re proud to report that 82.2% of respondents said they are VERY SATISFIED with Farm Credit. This is the highest percentage of very satisfied responses since we began surveying members in 1999. Very Satisfied (82.2%) and Satisfied (14.7%) responses combined for a total score of 96.9%.

The University of Arkansas Marketing Research Panel administers the survey and compiles data. The survey mails randomly to half of all members. This year 2,688 members received surveys.

Surveys also indicate the areas where we most need to improve.

Making loan and billing information more easy to understand Having more competitive interest rates Clearly communicating all terms and conditions of loans

73.3% 76.9% 80.8%

12 branch offices earned 100% customer satisfaction scores

The most important reasons to do business with Farm Credit, according to respondents: Branch staff who know customers and understand customer needs 57.1% Competitive and flexible loan rates/products 53.7% Farm Credit’s expertise as an ag/rural lending specialist 41.6% Patronage Cash program 37.5% Variety of loans/ loan programs 35.4%

Benton Bentonville Danville De Queen Greenbrier Hope Harrison Huntsville Magnolia Mena Paris Russellville

•Dissatisfied members dropped to a low 1.2%. Only 6 respondents were dissatisfied.

•50.2% said Farm Credit is EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS– the highest rating we’ve ever received for this question.

•40% said Farm Credit’s service has improved in the past year.

•63.7% said Patronage Cash is VERY IMPORTANT when comparing Farm Credit to other lenders.

•94.2% of respondents said they DEFINITELY WOULD or PROBABLY WOULD obtain another Farm Credit loan in the future.

•When asked about doing future business with Farm Credit, 79.9% of respondents said they, “have many reasons to continue with Farm Credit, and few reasons for doing business with a competitor”.

•23.4% of respondents marked themselves as being a Farm Credit customer for 20+ years, the largest percentage of respondents.

Thank you to those who took the time to answer the survey and provide valuable feedback!

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Herdsman Awards

We support the hard work done by the young people showing animals at the Arkansas State Fair with special Herdsman Awards. Exhibitors are judged on the appearance of their animal, cleanliness of the pen and surrounding area, and signage. Individual exhibitors or entire 4-H or FFA clubs can win. The awards are open to exhibitors from across the state.

2017 Herdsman Award winners Overall Winner $500 Eli Gosha, Imboden (Sloan Hendrix FFA) Cattle $300 $200 $100

Haley Langston, Batesville (Cedar Ridge FFA) Sydney Standridge, Dennard Sloan Hendrix FFA, Imboden

Sheep $300 $200

$100

Pocahontas FFA , Pocahontas ($100) Payton Millwood, Ola & ($100) Kyley Stone, Gurdon (Two Rivers FFA) Ava Claire Abney, Ashdown

Goats $300 $200 $100

Sunni Deb Weaver, Crossett (Drew County 4-H) Katelyn Wheeler, Hot Springs Whitney Coffelt, Omaha (Alpena FFA)

Swine $300 $200 $100

Flossie Glinski, Damascus (South Side Bee Branch) Tristan Carter, Harrell (Hampton FFA) Chelsey Teague, Bradley (Bradley FFA)

Cattle Fitting Lesson for Carroll County 4-H Beef Club – Credit Analyst Clayton Whittmore and his wife Kristin lead the Carroll County Beef Club. Their knowledge and experience is helping grow an interest in their area for showing cattle. Recently, Clayton and Kristin held training sessions with club members to teach the basics of fitting cattle. Farm Credit supports the volunteer work of employees like Clayton through our Community Involvement Program.

Clayton’s leadership with the Carroll County Beef Club qualified the club for a $500 donation this year. We’re proud to have employees who are passionate leaders in their communities. Thank you Clayton and Kristin!

The Arkansas Agriculture Department and Farm Credit sponsor an annual statewide Arkansas Grown School Garden Contest.

The contest promotes the importance of involving students in cultivating fresh food and understanding the growing process.

All schools across the state qualify to enter. Winners were selected by a panel of experts.

2017 School Garden Winners: $1,000 Overall Winner Mayflower Elementary School (Mayflower, AR)

New Polk County Livestock Showing Grants – Farm Credit Vice President Rex Dollar of Mena reached out to the local Polk County Fair board in 2016, looking for a way to assist the livestock program. Rex and the Fair Board joined forces with the Farmers Co-op to create a new grant program to assist local youth who would like to show cattle for the first time.

The first two grant recipients were Kyla Ferguson (left) and Rhyen Martin (right). These young ladies used the grant money to purchase show animals and needed supplies. Animals were purchased early in the year so participants had time to ready them for fair season.

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$500

Best Nutrition Education Program King Elementary (Van Buren, AR)

$500

Best Environmental Education Sheridan Intermediate School (Sheridan, AR)

$500

Best Community Involvement Program James R. Tate Elementary (Van Buren, AR)

$500

Best Start-Up Garden Clarendon High School (Clarendon, AR)

Ranch Tour 2017 – Employees Andrea Leding, James Crabtree, Joyce Ridenour, Tina Criswell and Suzanne Scowden from the Fort Smith office lent helping hands at the Dalmut family’s Ranch Tour in mid-October.

Hosting elementary students from Cavanaugh Elementary School in Fort Smith was an idea that Danny and Jeane Dalmut’s daughter Meghan (Dalmut) Estep approached her parents with 11 years ago after realizing there was a disconnect between her first-grade students and agriculture. The annual event is a blend of fun activities and hands-on learning at the Dalmut’s Sebastian County farm. Students learned about the life cycle of a chicken by handling eggs and baby chicks, observed horse care and enjoyed a hay ride around the farm. The Dalmut’s rely on volunteer assistance from family and friends the day of the event, and their friends at Farm Credit are happy to be a part of it and sponsor lunch for the volunteers each year.

83 pairs of shoes donated – Human Resources Coordinator Carol Parker challenged Farm Credit’s Central Office staff in Russellville to donate their gently used shoes in support of the Better Together 4-H Club’s shoe drive. Carol is a Pope County 4-H Foundation board member.

Farm Credit donated 83 pairs of shoes that, along with the club’s goal of 7,500 pairs, will be distributed in developing nations through Funds2Orgs. The organization helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses in Central America and Africa.

Shop with a Cop – Rosemary Hall, Financial Services Specialist in Ozark, is an active volunteer with the Ozark Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program. She assists with an annual golf tournament to raise funds for police officers when they assist children with special shopping trips in December. She assists with the shopping days, as well.

Rosemary’s volunteer work earned $500 for the Ozark Shop with a Cop program.

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2017 Farm Families of the Year Farm Credit of Western Arkansas members earn honors DISTRICT WINNERS: West Central District Will & Sidney Bailey family of De Queen (Sevier County)

F

ARM CREDIT IS A PROUD 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 exceptional farm management and community leadership.

Farm Credit of Western Arkansas members Will and Sidney Bailey (and family) earned district honors this year. The Baileys will be honored at a luncheon in Little Rock on December 7. The state winner will be announced at that event. The state winner will go on to compete in the 2018 Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition next fall.

COUNTY WINNERS: Matt & Lisa Widner family of Harrison (Boone County) Lynn & Debbie Pye family of Arkadelphia (Clark County) James Dixon of Magnolia (Columbia County) Timbo & Minnie Honeycutt of Clinton (Conway County) Johnny & Bridget Pruitt family of Ozark (Franklin County) Donnie & Gina Moore and family of Hot Springs (Garland County) Jimmy & Debra Dickerson family of Clarksville (Johnson County) Jeff & Shelby Lamkin family of Buckner (Layfayette County) Dale & Carmen Sansom family of Ashdown (Little River County) Jason Cranford of Sims (Montgomery County) Greg & Marcel Wilson of Prescott (Nevada County) Terry & Gail Small of Hector (Pope County) Jared & Michelle Pass of Hartford (Sebastian County) Allen & Cindy Moore of Lincoln (Washington County)

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YOU’RE THRILLED WITH THE VIEW YOU’VE FOUND.

Now be just as thrilled with

EASY FINANCING.

F A R M I N G

•

W I N T E R

2 0 1 7

18

YOUR FINANCIAL

COOPERATIVE

FARM CREDIT OF WESTERN ARKANSAS AT A GLANCE

OUR PORTFOLIO POULTRY

30.4%

CATTLE

18%

TIMBER

8%

CROPS

7.1%

FOOD PROCESSING

5.4%

RURAL ELEC & PHONE 5.4% TURKEY

3%

OTHER

22.7%

.

$1 2

25 TH LARGEST

FARM CREDIT ASSOCIATION There are 69 separate, independentlyowned associations across the country

SERVING 5,530 MEMBERS ACROSS 41 COUNTIES in western Arkansas

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.

32 3%

BILLION IN TOTAL ASSETS

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH

over the past 10 years

RANKED

2 ND

as the best-capitalized association of the 14 associations in our 15-state AgriBank District

.

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CONSECUTIVE YEARS

of Patronage cash for Western AR members totaling

$ 101 4 7 million

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BRANCH LOCATIONS

2 ND HIGHEST

percent of Patronage Cash of the 14 associations in our 15-state AgriBank District (relative to net income)

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NEWS BRIEFS

NEW employees Misty Eastep joined the Farm Credit team in early October as Assis-

brings human resources experience from a previous job to her new role in the HR department. Carol works in the Central Office in Russellville and lives in London with husband Bo. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.

Misty Oglesby has transitioned from her summer internship position

Arkansas State Fair Herdsman Awards

tant Vice President in the Tontitown office. She brings 15 years of banking experience to her position. A native of Fayetteville, she and her husband Jim farm in Gentry. They have a 180head cow/calf operation. They have three children, the youngest of which is still at home and a junior at Har-Ber High School. Misty’s hobbies include horseback riding and barrel racing.

as a Field Services Intern, to a parttime Financial Services Specialist in the Magnolia office. Misty is from Mena where her family farms and raises cattle. She is studying ag business at Southern Arkansas University and plans to graduate in May, 2019.

Hailey Paulsen has also transitioned from a summer Field Services

Congratulations to Herdsman Award winners at the Arkansas State Fair. $2,900 in prize money was shared by individuals and groups who excelled in animal cleanliness, creative signage and pen décor.

Check out this year’s winners at myaglender.com.

Changing places Carol Parker accepted the new position of Human Resources Co-

FREE! 2018 calendars Stop by any of our 23 branch office locations and pick up your FREE 2018 calendar featuring rural Arkansas scenes from our annual photo contest.

Calendars will be available by late November.

ordinator on September 1. Carol has served as Accounts Payable Accountant for the past 11 years. She

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Intern to part-time Financial Services Specialist. She is working part-time in the Tontitown office. She is from Aurora, MO and served as an area FFA officer in Missouri. She is a senior at the University of Arkansas where she is majoring in agriculture business.

2018 Scholarship Program 15 - $1,000 scholarships will be awarded next spring. Watch our myaglender.com website for details.

Information and application forms will be posted by January 2. To qualify, applicants must be a current Farm Credit of Western Arkansas member, or a child/grandchild of a current member. Scholarships are awarded to both graduating high school seniors and undergraduate college students.

FREE Young, Beginning Farmer Conference Farm Credit will host a statewide learning conference for young (age 35, or younger) and beginning (farming less than 10 years) farmers February 27-28 in North Little Rock. Dr. David Kohl, a leading ag economist, entertaining speaker and author, will lead the conference. Dr. Kohl is renowned for understanding the needs of young, beginning farmers across the country. If you are interested in participating, contact Jill Robertson at 479-968-1434, ext. 5106, or jill. robertson@farmcredit.com. Spots are limited for this special opportunity.

AR Women in Ag Conference Mark your calendar to attend the 2018 Arkansas Women in Ag Conference March 13-14 in North Little Rock, AR. Follow Arkansas Women in Agriculture on Facebook for complete details.

F A R M I N G

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W I N T E R

2 0 1 7

re

g a s ’ t

I

t! i f at

AgDirect customers know they make it easy to finance equipment, but did you know AgDirect and Farm Credit are partners?

AgDirect’s focus on equipment financing and Farm Credit’s 101 years of serving rural America make them a great fit!

Ask your local equipment dealer about AgDirect financing.

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Enriching rural life. TM Let Farm Credit’s industry-leading knowledge, competitive products, and 101 years of agricultural and rural financing experience help you!

• 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

OF WESTERN ARKANSAS

3115 W. 2nd Court, Russellville, AR 72801

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