Partners
CultivateGrowth Customer Feature. Zack and Sarah both grew up on their family cash crop operations farming corn and soybeans. In 2017, Zack and Sarah established ZZ Farms, LLC located in Merrill, Mich., and have hit the ground running ever since.
23
Grow
Customer Feature. Misty Ridge Orchard is a must-visit destination each fall where loyal customers from across the region gather to enjoy a variety of seasonal treats.
Connect
GreenStone Story. GreenStone’s expert appraisers have once again evaluated land values throughout Michigan and northeast Wisconsin.
Live
Country Living Customer Feature. Growing up, Ben Dowdy remembers going hunting with his father. Now he experiences the joy of the outdoors on his very own land.
Learn
Crop Insurance Customer Feature. Family owned since its founding amid the American Civil War, Overhiser Orchards in South Haven, Mich., has been providing fresh fruit since 1863.
This newsletter is published quarterly for the customers of GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Editorial
Cassie Bosworth
Linnea Jones
Emma Briggs
Melissa Rogers
Dakota Spink
Kate Thiel Caleb Yarbrough
Partners
Art & Design
William Eva Olivia Gallt
GreenStone Farm Credit Services 3515 West Road East Lansing, MI 48823
800-444-3276
marketing@greenstonefcs.com
3 CEO Comments.
As we find ourselves in the season of harvest. President and CEO Travis Jones provides a fall member update.
11 Guest Column.
Exploring the potential impact of solar development on agricultural property.
17 Market Outlook.
Only time will tell how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and tariffs will ultimately shape the economy.
27 Legislative Matters.
One topic that has become a political difference for debate is healthy eating and its affect on the business of agriculture.
28 PAC Progress.
Throughout the year, actions taken through the Political Action Committees (PACs) have enabled many to engage in dialogue with legislative leaders on support of the agriculture industry
33 Guest Column.
More than just a hobby, waterfowl hunting in Michigan is a timehonored tradition deeply intertwined with the history of conservation.
35 Fall Prep for an Easy Spring. Summer allows us to perfectly set up our landscapes, gardens, and patios. But, that means we have to take the time in the fall to prepare our land for the harsher winter.
36 Holiday Gift Jars.
Gift shopping is no easy feat, with the holidays quickly approaching, here’s some fun and easy gift recipes your family can make together!
40 Crop Insurance Feature. The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced the rollout of crop insurance enhancements authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act.
45 Tax Feature.
In this article, we highlight the provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill that are most relevant and applicable to our farming customers from an income taxation standpoint.
47 Wrapping Up the Year with Tax Efficiencies.
It’s that time of year to start thinking about finishing the year off right and making smart tax decisions.
49 Tech Tip.
New online accounts, heavier use of devices, and the everyday rush of schoolyear routines create the perfect environment for cybercriminals to target parents and students alike.
8 Agriculture Blog Brief
9 ORV Safety
10 CultivateGrowth Resources
20 Member News
22 Pause for Applause
24 Candid Comments
25 Behind the Scenes
26 Calendar of Events
34 Country Living Blog Brief
37 Commodity Cuisine... Seared Duck Breast with Blueberry, Ginger, and Jalapeno
38 Crop Insurance News
39 Crop Insurance Calendar
48 Tax Calendar
Publisher’s Note:
Fall is here! And with it comes an inevitable sense of transition – an ending of an inspiring growing season, the void of the warm rays of summer, the near end of a year of memories, and for me personally, the culmination of my son’s soccer career.
Isn’t it interesting how an event for one person – the farmer, the summer barbeque host, the athlete - can touch so many others. In our home, it’s his end to the sport he’s invested countless hours and absolute commitment. He’s the one about to walk away from the field for the last time, but our family’s investment in him and his experience has us feeling the weight of this ending in our own impactful way.
That’s life - what happens to one ultimately impacts many. Like the Zestrows on page 5, they made a decision to begin their own farm and now their community benefits from the fruits of their labor. The Gonnerings (page 13) have taken their dreams for the land and woven them into their daughters and their customers’ lives. The Dowdys’ (page 29) hunting experience took a significant turn when their landlord decided to make a change and sell the land. Finally, the Overhisers’ (page 41) risk management decisions have provided an important sense of stability to their employees. One decision - one action - can have a ripple effect far beyond that one person. How we choose to ride those waves into the future is the impact to each of us. So, while you’re embracing all fall has in store for you and those around you, take a few minutes to catch up on these stories, and the helpful news and resources within this issue of Partners. From the One Big Beautiful Bill adjustments important to crop insurance and taxes, to market expectations and even holiday inspiration, there’s plenty to keep you and those around you moving forward even as the season and experiences transition.
Happy reading as you embrace all fall, and GreenStone, has to offer!
Melissa
Fall Update
I have said this before, but it bears repeating. I have the best job in the world. We are blessed with the greatest customers and owners any business can have, and I get to lead a team of dedicated and knowledgeable teammates that put our customers first every day. GreenStone is also one of the best performing Farm Credit associations in the country. Which certainly means we are also one of the top performing financial institutions in the country.
Association Update
Your association continues to perform very well financially. GreenStone is one of the most profitable Farm Credit associations from a return on assets and return on capital perspective. It is also one of the most efficiently run associations in
the country. All of that directly supports our financial strength and, ultimately, the ability to share our profits back to you through our Patronage program.
In July we also were given our “report card” from our members. The results of our customer satisfaction survey were again excellent. Just over 95% of our customers responded satisfied or very satisfied with GreenStone. All of our branches and business lines had excellent results. However, a few of our branches really stood out. Our Hart branch achieved 100% satisfaction for the fourth year in a row and our Mt. Pleasant branch earned that rating for the third year in a row. For those of you that received the survey, thank you again for taking the time to complete it. We read every comment, good and bad, and we take your feedback to heart and use those comments to continue to
The results of our customer satisfaction survey were again excellent. Just over 95% of our customers responded satisfied or very satisfied with GreenStone.
margins. It would certainly help if we could get China to buy commodities at historical levels and other countries to reduce barriers to market access.
Please know that Farm Credit is having many conversations with representatives in Washington, D.C. regarding financial assistance for growers until the tariff agreements get worked out. In the meantime, if your financial projections show your cash flow getting tight, please make sure you are talking to your GreenStone financial services officer sooner rather than later. We have been through these cycles before and given adequate time and transparent communication, we can help you with your strategies to navigate the financial challenges you are facing.
other topics. The insights gained will strengthen our alignment and provide fresh perspective to our own association operations.
Additionally, after 22 years of dedicated service to GreenStone and 40 years as an information services (IS) professional, Steve Junglas, executive VP & chief informational officer has announced his retirement from GreenStone. Steve has announced his retirement from GreenStone effective February 3, 2026.
try to improve our performance. I want to thank all of my GreenStone teammates for continuing to put our Customers First every day – one of our core values we strive to live each day.
Industry Update
GreenStone continues to have a very diversified loan portfolio. This corresponds with the wide variety of agricultural commodities produced in Michigan and Wisconsin. Your association’s diversification allows us to be a dependable and competitive source of credit during all phases of an agriculture cycle. There are portions of the agricultural sector that are stressed today. Generally, if you are feeding grain and raising animals, the market is doing okay. If you have a cash crop operation and are growing corn, soybeans and/or wheat, it is much more of a struggle to find positive
While some of our commodity prices continue to be challenged, land values remain strong. Later in this magazine we again share the results of our land benchmark appraisals. There you’ll find that land values continue to increase throughout most sectors of Michigan and northeast Wisconsin. As a sidenote, I live in Shiawassee County located in midMichigan. In early September, there was a land auction for over 1,000 acres of highquality ground. In my view, prices for the parcels were very strong - good news for the seller’s estate. I was also happy to see that the buyers will most likely keep the land in production agriculture.
Leadership Update
On August 18, 19, and 20, the GreenStone executive team and our Board of Directors held our board meeting and our annual planning meeting in Green Bay, Wisc.. As part of this, we also welcomed Farm Credit Services of Mandan for a joint board meeting. FCS of Mandan, headquartered in Mandan, N.D., is a partner in both our technology and capital markets collaborations. Our executive team and board thought this would be another great opportunity to get to know our counterparts from another association and use the time to share our successes and challenges. This is the third year we have held a joint meeting with another association. We each discussed how we serve our customers, our technology strategies and challenges and various
Throughout his tenure at GreenStone, Steve has played a key role in advancing our technology landscape. He has led large-scale projects, introduced new programs and tools, and helped the organization evolve through innovation and thoughtful leadership. Among Steve’s many contributions, one of the most impactful has been his ability to build a very strong, talented IS team - bringing in some of the best and brightest technology professionals in the Midwest.
Steve will continue to lead the IS Department in the months ahead as we determine his successor. I want to thank Steve for all of his contributions to GreenStone and his outstanding leadership. That’s about it for this quarter. As always, thank you for feeding me, my family, our country and the world, and thank you for your membership and commitment to GreenStone!
Please reach out to me any time I can be of assistance. ◀
Travis D. Jones 517-318-4144 travis.jones@greenstonefcs.com
Blending Tradition with Vision
Zack and Sarah Zastrow both knew farming was their calling from a young age. “I served in the Army and attended college for a while, but only ever wanted to be back on the farm,” Zack explained. “I grew up farming and realized pretty quickly that was what I needed to be doing.”
For Sarah, her love of agriculture comes from her passion for connecting people with the food they eat. As a certified exercise physiologist and nutrition professor at a nearby community college, the most rewarding part of agriculture for her is educating people on where their food comes from.
“My love for health and wellness goes back to where it starts, on the farm,” said Sarah. “Where our food comes from and our health and nutrition should be very streamlined, yet in most people’s eyes those two things are very different. I love that farming allows me to educate people on where their food comes from, what it does for your body, and how you can use the foods you eat to feel better.”
Building from the Ground Up
Zack and Sarah both grew up on their family cash crop operations farming corn and soybeans. In 2017, Zack and Sarah established ZZ Farms, LLC located in Merrill, Mich., and have hit the ground running ever since.
“We built our farm from the ground up, and with a lot of support from family have been able to expand our operation over the past
We built our farm from the ground up, and with a lot of support from family have been able to expand our operation over the past seven years.
seven years,” said Zack. “In 2018, with the help of GreenStone, we were able to purchase 40 acres of vacant property from my aunt and uncle to start farming our own land.”
Zack and Sarah’s relationship with GreenStone started with a referral from Michigan Farm Bureau, when the Zastrows were looking for options to get financing to start their own farm. “Years before we bought the land, they pointed us to GreenStone and the CultivateGrowth program that provides financing for young, beginning, and small farmers,” explained Sarah. “Then when we were ready to go out
on our own, GreenStone helped us secure the land we needed to start our own farm.”
Zack and Sarah began working with Courtney Ross, who served as their financial services officer and now manages GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth program.
“When we first started farming on our own, there was so much for us to learn,” said Sarah. “Courtney just made it so easy for us. We’ve gotten pretty close with her over the past few years, and we consider her a friend. She’s always been very honest and upfront about what we needed to do.”
▲ The ZZ Farms farm stand is just one way the Zastrows are able to provide fresh and nutritious produce to their local community.
Courtney just made it so easy for us. We’ve gotten pretty close with her over the past few years, and we consider her a friend.
◀ Family is an integral part of life on the farm for Zack and Sarah, and they look forward to passing down what they’ve learned to their own children one day! ▼ Courtney Ross has been with the Zastrows every step of the way since they started financing their own farm with GreenStone.
“We really appreciated the step by step help she gave us,” added Zack, “We were both in our 20s when we bought the farm, and that’s pretty young to be starting any business let alone your own farm. GreenStone made it possible for us though.” What started as just empty land has now transformed into the fully operational corn and soybean farm that Sarah and Zack proudly continue to expand each year. In 2020, they opened up a roadside farm stand to start selling garden fresh vegetables including sweet corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of other seasonal items. Their vegetables are also delivered weekly to nearby grocery stores, providing those in their community with locally grown produce.
Passion that Impacts the Industry
There’s no question about Zack and Sarah’s dedication to agriculture and love for what they do. In addition to running their own farm, Zack still works full-time on his grandparents’ farm combining his passion for agriculture and continued learning with their decades of experience. “We hope to continue taking pieces of what both of our families taught us and apply them to our own operation and our own experiences. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support we’ve received from both of our families,” said Zack.
Family business relationships, as well as the overall wellbeing of farmers, family members, and farm employees is a topic that is especially important to Sarah as well. When she’s not on the farm or in the classroom, she also heads up her own podcast, offers personalized coaching, and speaks on topics such as the importance of stress management on the farm and how to effectively have the conversation of succession planning within family farms.
“With both of us coming from farming backgrounds of our own families and then starting a farm of our own, these topics are really important to me, and I want to be able to share as much as I can with
what I’ve learned with other young farmers who want to know how to approach that conversation with their family members,” she said.
Zack and Sarah are also looking forward to joining GreenStone at our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. and attending the Farm Credit Fly-In in November for the opportunity to share their story with lawmakers and continue to advocate for young farmers in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.
Inspiring Others in Agriculture
The Zastrows passion for what they do and creating positive changes within the industry is one of the many reasons Courtney enjoys working with them.
“Sarah and Zack are the kind of customers that make me excited about my job,” she said. “They’re not only passionate about their own operation, but about agriculture as a whole. From the beginning, they were great to work with. They really wanted to understand and learn what was behind the financial aspect of operating a farm. I’m excited to attend the fly-in with them in November as they really are such a great representation for young, beginning, and small farmers.”
Sarah and Zack are excited to continue growing their operation and continue advocating for the wellbeing of those in the agricultural industry and family business operations.
“Our goal is to continue growing our farm, taking what we’ve learned from our families while making our farm our own,” they said. “When we first went out on our own, the support we received from GreenStone and Courtney in seeing our vision and helping it come to life set us up for success. When you have a lender who believes in you, it makes something like starting your own farm from the ground up attainable. The support we received from GreenStone throughout our journey is another reason why we want to continue positively impacting and supporting other family farms and young, beginning, small farmers too.” ◀
Agriculture –Open Fields Blog
GreenStone publishes regular updates on our Open Fields blog. Check out some of the posts you may have missed at www.greenstonefcs.com/ openfieldsblog.
Engineering New Opportunities
The Frudzinskis were able to jump right into learning more about their land and agriculture as they began their operation. Check out how they used GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth Grant!
How to Effectively Manage Your Farm’s Growth
With so many factors to consider, how can you be sure you are managing your farm’s growth successfully? Start by defining what success looks like to you!
Certified to Serve
After starting his farm operation as an FFA project, Mark has continued to grow and serve those around him – in part thanks to a grant from GreenStone.
Tax Implications when Selling Farm Assets
Regardless of the economic situation, farmers need to plan an appropriate approach to selling non-productive assets to avoid unnecessary tax burdens. ◀
Safety First on ORVs
Hopping on an off-road vehicle (ORV) to check the field or take a joyride could be part of your family’s everyday routine. In the agriculture industry, a tool like an ORV is common and helps make things like plowing snow, moving feed, and managing fencing much easier.
They can be enjoyed and provide a lot of value, but there are also precautions to take when driving and riding in an ORV to help keep everyone safe, especially young adults. Statistics show 1 in 5 ORVrelated accidents involve a child under the age of 16.
The RideSafe Foundation is a non-profit organization rooted in education about off road vehicles. The organization hosts events, shares resources, and helps educate the next generation on the importance of safety. Through a wide variety of methods, RideSafe is empowered by their mission: “Gear, safety certification, and training are the answer.”
The Foundation shares these five red flags to help limit the chance of an accident:
1. 97% of all ORV accidents happen on adult-sized machines – use a vehicle appropriate for your age.
2. 95% of most cases the child had not completed a safety certification program – learn how to keep yourself and those riding with you safe.
3. 90% of cases involved a child not wearing a helmet - dress for safety.
4. 70% of cases happen in the right-of-way – use trails.
5. 63% of cases involve a rollover – drive at a safe speed.
“Awareness is the key to solving this problem, and that’s why we are working so hard to get the word out, to change the culture, and to make safe riding practices cool,” says RideSafe. Since 2023 RideSafe has completed almost 30,000 hours of hands-on instruction with over 10,000 students! To learn more about RideSafe, their resources, or if you want them to visit a school near you check out their website, www. ridesafefoundation.org.
Whether you are riding to get the job done or feel the wind in your hair, safety is key. If you or your family ride an ORV often, visit Offroad-ed to earn helpful off-road safety certifications and to learn about your state’s requirements: https://www. offroad-ed.com.
Getting safety certified is just the start. It is important to implement safe riding habits, such as wearing a helmet, choosing the right riding terrain, and driving appropriate speeds. It can be easy to fall into the habit of just hopping on or letting the kids take it for a ride too. Before handing over the keys, it is essential everyone is aware of the safety risks when driving and riding in ORVs. ◀
Grant Promotion:
Looking to attend an event or take a new course? If you are a young, beginning, or small farmer, GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth grant can help.
Customers may receive up to $1,000, and non-customers up to $500, to cover costs for ag-related programs like courses, events, or conference fees. If you aren’t sure where to start, check out
the resources listed below. Grants can also be used for first-time GreenStone tax and accounting services. Each grant supports personalized opportunities to help you grow your operation. GreenStone is proud to invest in the future of farming.
Learn more and apply on our website, greenstonefcs.com/ grant ◀
Resources
to Keep in Mind:
Michigan State University Extension’s latest online course, Grain Gains: An Introduction to Grain Marketing, is now available. This course is the newest resource available from the DEMaND (Developing and Educating Managers and New Decisionmakers) Series.
Grain Gains is a selfpaced virtual course that will aid farmers in understanding the
fundamental principles involved in grain marketing. It includes a review of the commodity markets, the use of pricing decision tools, and how to develop a marketing plan to fit specific farm needs. This course will build comfort and confidence in marketing grain for farm businesses.
Registration is required and offered at an introductory price of $25 through
December 31, 2025. The registration fee is a one-time payment for lifetime access to the course and its content.
Registration instructions can be found at www. canr.msu.edu/courses/ grain-gains-anintroduction-to-grainmarketing ◀
Agricultural Land Use: Food or Energy?
BY: ALAN HAHN, Environmental Scientist
“Despite all our accomplishments, we owe our existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains.” – Attributed to Paul Harvey
Owed in large part to federal and state subsidies, solar developments are becoming more commonplace, especially on farmland. What is the future of solar, and, more importantly, for the farming community, and for a society that depends on plentiful food, what is the potential impact of solar development on agricultural property?
Growth of Solar
In 2000, solar power in the U.S. accounted for .59 GW of energy. By 2024, that skyrocketed to 177.59 GW of energy. However, despite this impressive growth, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, solar energy still accounts for only 4% of the United States’ energy generation.
While the solar footprint is relatively small now, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
While the solar footprint is relatively small now, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) projects solar energy will rise from 4% of our nation’s total energy production to 45% by 2050.
projects solar energy will rise from 4% of our nation’s total energy production to 45% by 2050. If this prediction holds, it would require as much as 10.4 million acres of land. The DOE further states that 90% of the development will be in rural communities, including farms (Source: American Farm Bureau).
Put another way, the DOE estimates solar energy could provide 1 terawatt of electricitygenerating capacity to the grid by 2035, which would require the use of 5.7 million acres of land. They also state solar is likely to conflict with agricultural land use because the same attributes that make land appropriate for solar energy (plentiful sun, flat land) are also attractive for agriculture.
Moreover, energy demands are not going to abate. With the growth of artificial intelligence and data centers, energy demands are growing rapidly. Some companies (Amazon and Google) are building their own small nuclear reactors to meet their energy needs.
Concerns for Farming and the Environment
Setting aside the obvious monetary incentives of leasing agricultural land for solar, below we discuss some of the environmental/ecological concerns.
Historically, there has been concern about the potential for metals (used in the production of solar panels) to leach from the panels to the soil. However, most studies to date conclude that this is not a concern. However, other larger concerns may be even more consequential.
According to American Farmland Trust, “About 83% of new solar projects are installed on farmland and ranchlands, with almost 50% placed on the most productive, versatile, and resilient land.”
An analysis by Reuters (2024) concludes that the renewable energy boom risks damaging some of America’s richest soils in key farming states. Reuters based its analysis on federal, state, and local data; hundreds of pages of court records; and interviews with more than 100 energy and soil scientists, agricultural economists, farmers, and farmland owners. Their analysis also included local, state, and federal lawmakers.
The Reuters article goes on to say that Farmland Partners, a Real Estate Investment Trust, has leased about 9,000 acres nationwide to solar firms. The Executive Chairman for the company states this includes ground that is highly productive and admits that solar is not likely the best use for the property, but that “our investors would kill us if we didn’t pursue this.”
Ecological Concerns
The largest solar power plant in the world is the Ivanpah Solar Plant. This massive solar plant is located in the Mojave Desert in California. According to the Association of Avian Veterinarians (2023), the Ivanpah Solar Plant is believed to be responsible for “at least 6,000 bird deaths each year, as the birds can suffer severe burns or become incinerated if they fly too close to the 40-foot towers that concentrate sunlight from five square miles of solar panels. These numbers are likely an underestimation, as the sight of birds and insects rapidly immolated as they soar too close to the towers, which can reach temperatures of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, is so common that staff at the plant have a name for them; ‘streamers.’”
The Ivanpah facility is an extreme example of the impact of solar facilities on the environment. Further studies on more “typical” solar facilities may help understand the impact on the local environment.
Is the Energy Tide Changing?
The impetus for “green energy” projects stems from concerns about anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) and their impact on global temperatures. However, with the change in administration, there is a change in philosophy for both GHGs and energy in general.
Under the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, tax incentives for clean energy projects have been rolled back. Under the new law, tax credits for wind and solar projects phase out sooner than those for other technologies, like storage. To qualify, these projects must either be completed by the end of 2027 or begin construction by July 4, 2026 (Source: Latham and Watkins). Accordingly, the financial incentive may not be as big a carrot to entice farmers to lease land for solar farms.
From the DOE’s new Climate Assessment Report, “Climate change is real, and it deserves attention. But it is not the greatest threat facing humanity. That distinction belongs to global energy poverty. As someone who values data, I know that improving the human condition depends on expanding access to reliable, affordable energy” - Secretary Chris Wright, U.S., DOE.
The effect of placing solar panels on farm fields deserves attention, as we cannot afford to jeopardize the irreplaceable Breadbasket of America. Using productive farmland for low-density energy forms such as solar and wind may not be in our best interest as we balance two critical needs –energy and food. ◀
About the author: Alan Hahn is an Environmental Professional and Business Development Manager at The Dragun Corporation in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
The opinions stated herein are not necessarily those of GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
GreenStone customer feature
Harvesting Family Memories
For Steve and Kerrie Gonnering, family is at the heart of everything they do, and their business is no exception. Located in the countryside of De Pere, Wis., Misty Ridge Orchard is a must-visit destination each fall where loyal customers from across the region gather to enjoy a variety of seasonal treats. Misty Ridge offers over twenty varieties of pre-picked apples, delicious cider, fresh cider donuts, caramel apples with caramel made from scratch, and their famous homemade pies. What started as an empty plot of twenty acres the Gonnerings purchased more than two decades ago has turned into a destination for spending quality time with loved ones, unplugging, and enjoying crisp fall days!
Bringing a Dream to Life
The journey to creating a must-visit fall destination for families didn’t come without its own set of challenges. Steve and Kerrie originally bought their home and the land the orchard sits on in 1999 and always dreamed about the possibilities of what they could build on it.
“There’s nothing else like Misty Ridge in our area, and we had our vision for what we wanted to create from the beginning,” explained Steve. “When we were first looking for financing to get started, our local bank was hesitant to lend us the money.”
◀ Pictured left: Steve and Kerrie always had a vision for the land they purchased over two decades ago, and with help from GreenStone they were able to make their dreams a reality.
▶ Pictured right: Misty Ridge Orchard is all about bringing families together and making memories, including the Gonnering family themselves!
It seemed like no one believed in us and what our vision for the orchard was –until we started working with GreenStone.
“It seemed like no one believed in us and what our vision for the orchard was – until we started working with GreenStone,” Kerrie added. “From the very beginning, they said ‘we’ll do whatever it takes to get you guys going!’”
In 2017, after securing their financing from GreenStone, Steve and Kerrie were able to start construction on the orchard’s bakery and retail space, in addition to ordering 1,000 more apple trees to expand the orchard.
“We opened our doors for the first time in 2018. To put into perspective the kind of growth we’ve experienced over the past few years, when we first opened, we started with eight parking spots, and we now have over fifty, plus overflow parking,” Kerrie said.
Focused on Family
“GreenStone has been with us every step of the way since we started,” said Kerrie.
▲ Pictured top right: The Gonnering’s Financial Services Officer Riley Koller has watched the orchard grow year after year and is excited to watch them continue to expand! ▶ Pictured bottom left: Since opening, the orchard has added a corn maze, petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, and more! ▶ Pictured bottom right: Misty Ridge Orchard is a family affair, as each of Steve and Kerrie’s children and their spouses work hard each year to ensure the orchard is ready for the busy season.
“We currently have over 5,000 apple trees on our property, and with GreenStone’s help we were able to purchase an additional six acres of land to expand the orchard. They were with us through the construction project of adding on to our bakery, and we’ve even been able to finance equipment through them,” said Steve.
Riley Koller, who serves as the Gonnering’s GreenStone financial services officer, has been with them since 2019 and has witnessed firsthand the level of growth their business has had over the past few years. “It’s exciting for me to watch them continue to grow. It’s definitely a family affair, and it’s cool to see how they run their business together as a family while creating a place for families to spend quality time together,” Riley said.
Misty Ridge is open for about ten weekends every year from late August to late October, but preparation for the
season begins well in advance. Steve and Kerrie both work full-time, and each year with the help of their four children, their spouses, and around fifteen seasonal employees, they make Misty Ridge a top destination for fall family fun.
“One of my favorite parts of operating the orchard is the time we’re able to spend together as a family, whether it’s planting trees in the spring, getting ready for the busy season in the summer, or working together in the fall in the bakery or out in the field,” said Kerrie.
Supported for Success
Since they first opened, Misty Ridge has added a corn maze, petting zoo, and children’s play area to the property, and even occasionally host live music for visitors.
“One of the most exciting upgrades we’ve been able to make is when we added on the bakery and built a
covered porch and patio for additional seating for visitors. We’ve also added another register to reduce the wait time for our customers,” said Steve. “That was an exciting thing because we realized just how many people we had coming to visit us that the wait time to check out was getting too long!”
The Gonnerings hope to be able to open for more days out of the week in the future and continue expanding the orchard, including the variety of produce and baked goods they offer.
“We really wouldn’t have been able to do this without GreenStone,” Steve said. “Everyone we’ve worked with has wanted us to succeed.”
“All we needed was for someone to believe in us and see our vision for what we wanted to create,” added Kerrie. “GreenStone has supported us since the very beginning, and we’re excited to keep growing with them.” ◀
outlook
BY: GARRETT ANDERSON, Regional Credit Manager and EMILY BLOCHER, Credit Analyst
US Economic Outlook:
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) (H.R.1.) was passed into law July 4, 2025, and with it came a number of adjustments to spending throughout the United States. According to Farm Bureau, the OBBB passage represents a win for agricultural operators with an increase in core safety net programs, continued availability of risk management tools, and permanent law-based tax provisions. The bill, according to the Congressional Budget Office, is projected to increase agricultural spending by roughly
$66 billion over ten years. A new Farm Bill is still desired but, in the meantime, the OBBB provides a stop gap to continue funding protective measures and environmental programs.
Besides the OBBB, tariffs have been headline grabbing after April 2nd which President Trump declared liberation day when he implemented sweeping tariffs at a universal rate of 10% on virtually all U.S. imports, along with a reciprocal rate reaching as high as 50% for certain countries based on preexisting agreements. The policy goal as stated was to make
The overall impact of tariffs on the economy will take time to pan out and be quantified. In the near term, these policy implications are, at least in part, impacting the Federal Reserve (Fed) and decisions made regarding interest rates.
trade balances and agreements fairer for the U.S. and return manufacturing to the U.S. The import taxes would also be a way to raise revenue while also accommodating some of the tax cuts from the OBBB.
The overall impact of tariffs on the economy will take time to pan out and be quantified. In the near term, these policy implications are, at least in part, impacting the Federal Reserve (Fed) and decisions made regarding interest rates. During the most recent September 2025 meeting, the Fed elected to cut rates by 25 basis points
to the range of 4.00% to 4.25%.
This was the first rate cut since December of 2024, likely attributed to the recent uptick in the unemployment rate. Fed officials have indicated two more rate cuts coming this year with potentially one more in 2026 pending the balance between inflation and unemployment.
The monthly jobs report is another key economic indicator used by the Fed as part of its rate-making decision process. Throughout the first part of 2025, the report indicated continued strength in employment, which was one
reason for the Fed to hold off on any rate cuts. The barometer, however, dropped in July for the first time. The July 2025 jobs report showed slowing job growth with just 73,000 jobs added. Expectations were for 104,000 jobs, which indicates a slowdown from expectation. Additionally, May and June’s job totals were revised down by 258,000 jobs. This increased the unemployment rate slightly to 4.1%.
Corn and Soybeans
The August 2025 WASDE report reveals a historic surge in U.S. corn production. The USDA projects 2025/26 U.S. corn production at a staggering 16.7 billion bushels, up 1 billion from July’s forecast and marking a 13% increase from 2024. If realized, this would surpass the previous record set in 2023/24 by 1.4 billion bushels. This leap is driven by an increase in harvested area and a recordbreaking yield of 188.8 bushels per acre, up 9.5 bushels from last year.
Despite a slight dip in beginning stocks, the surge in supply pushes ending stocks to 2.1 billion bushels, the highest since 2018/19. The seasonaverage farm price is lowered by 30 cents to $3.90 per bushel, offering relief to buyers but pressuring margins for producers. Total U.S. corn use for the 2025/26 season is projected to increase, reaching a total of 16 billion bushels. This growth is driven by several key factors including feed and residual use, ethanol production, and exports being projected to
hit a record 2.9 billion bushels.
The USDA’s August WASDE report presents a mixed outlook for the 2025/26 U.S. soybean market, characterized by lower supply and tighter ending stocks, yet stable pricing. Production is forecast at 4.3 billion bushels, down 43 million from July, largely driven by a 2.4 million acre reduction in harvested area. However, yield is revised upward to 53.6 bushels per acre, an increase of 1.1 bushels from last month and up 2.9 bushels from last year. Exports are lowered by 40 million bushels amid a slow pace of sales. Ending stocks are now projected at 290 million bushels, down 20 million from July. Despite these supply adjustments, the season-average farm price remains steady at $10.10 per bushel.
Dairy
Dairy producer margins improved in June as forecasted, with margins of income over feed costs calculated through the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program up to $11.10/CWT. This marked a $0.70 increase from May and was influenced by lower feed prices. Despite margins being well below the highest DMC margins recorded in 2024, the June results were well above the $9.50/ CWT threshold for potential DMC payouts. Futures markets anticipate solid income over feed margins for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026 as feed prices are expected to remain moderate. WASDE Crop Production Reports showing this might be the largest corn crop
ever should lead to plenty of available feed for dairy producers. In addition, strong beef prices continue to post record highs and will continue to be a larger source of revenue for producers. These solid economics point to additional milk production in the months ahead.
Despite lingering trade uncertainty, exports continue to play a vital role in moving product. Cheese shipments reached a record high of 115 million pounds in June, and butter exports totaled 14 million pounds, which is up 100% over the 2024 pace. U.S. suppliers have been able to satisfy increased cheese demand in key growth markets across Latin America and Asia due to favorable trade agreements and geographic location. Cheese supplies domestically are plentiful as milk production continues to expand, and newly constructed cheese facilities add to total output. The increased milk production has led to a 10.4% year over year increase in butter production and a 4.2% year over year increase in cheese through June. Exports have become a significant outlet for the U.S. as almost 9% of the 7.26 billion pounds of cheese produced in the first half of the year was exported compared to 5.1% a decade ago. Stronger world prices in Europe and Oceana should keep a floor under U.S. prices, and any gaps will continue to help clear product.
Pork
Wholesale pork values and market hog prices have remained mostly steady, above
average, and at profitable levels for producers throughout the second quarter and thus far through the third quarter of 2025. Cash hog prices have been over $100 per lean CWT for the past few months, and the Pork Cutout has been over $110 per lean CWT over the same time period. This has supported cull sow prices, and weaned pig and feed pig prices. This price strength, coupled with lower feed ingredient costs, particularly corn and soybean meals, has extended profitability for most producers. Iowa State University reported an estimated July profit over margin of $51 per head for farrow-to-finish hog operations, the 16th straight month of profitability and an $8 increase from June. CME futures contract prices for lean hogs and feed ingredients continue to show profitable “crush margins” over the next 12 months. Many producers continue to extend coverage under hedging strategies including LRP/ LGM, forward contacts, and futures, and options positions to ensure some of those profits are realized. Summer heat has significantly slowed market hog growth and reduced weights. While this is a normal trend, it has been more impactful this year than recent years. High retail beef prices have been supportive of pork value, while domestic demand has been firm, but consumption is relatively flat. Exports have fallen back roughly 6% from 2024 record export levels due in part to uncertainty around trade deals and tariffs, and very little export sales to China. ◀
U.S. suppliers have been able to satisfy increased cheese demand in key growth markets across Latin America and Asia due to favorable trade agreements and geographic location.
Fall member news
Customer Satisfaction Results
Based on our annual survey results, we are proud to announce a 95% customer satisfaction score as a testament to member-focused service. The results mark 21 consecutive years we have exceeded a 90% satisfaction score.
“We’re committed to providing tailored financial services and solutions that support the growth of our members,” said GreenStone President and CEO Travis Jones. “Our members’ trust in our association underscores our exceptional team’s dedication to delivering effective and reliable service.”
The customer satisfaction survey uses a seven-point scale ranging from being “very dissatisfied” to “very satisfied”, as well as measuring customers’ perception of GreenStone’s performance over the past year. For the third year in a row, 98% of those surveyed responded they felt GreenStone is a financially sound lender with effective staff, and 73% of customers were “very satisfied.”
Customers also reported the highest level of satisfaction in five years with the association’s crop insurance and tax and accounting services.
Two branches have received three or more years of an average customer satisfaction score of 100%, demonstrating the branches’ commitment to providing consistently excellent customer service.
Customers noted their appreciation for the cooperative’s Patronage program giving back a significant portion of
95% customer satisfaction in 2025
GreenStone’s profits to members as a dividend, which this year exceeded more than $1 billion in total dividends returned to member-owners over the past 20 years.
Additional points of high satisfaction were the cooperative’s clear communication, efficient processes, and overall positive experiences, underscoring the value of the relationship between GreenStone’s staff and its customers.
“These scores represent our commitment to continuously providing member-focused service,” Travis said. “We’re deeply invested in the success of the rural communities of Michigan and Wisconsin and take great pride in being a trusted partner in our members’ growth.”
GreenStone remains committed to providing our members just like you with unique financial solutions that help build businesses, build lives, and build up the rural communities we call home. ◀
We’re deeply invested in the success of the rural communities of Michigan and Wisconsin and take great pride in being a trusted partner in our members’ growth.
GreenStone Deer Challenge
If you’re a hunter in northeast Wisconsin or Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, you could turn your trophy buck into cash with GreenStone’s annual Deer Challenge! Don’t miss this opportunity to show off your hunting skills and win dollars for your deer.
The contest is free to enter and participants will compete for more than $1,000 in cash prizes. The challenge is open to all Wisconsin and U.P. residents who harvest a deer in GreenStone’s northeast Wisconsin territory or Michigan’s Upper Peninsula between September 13 and November 30, 2025. The Big Buck class will
include eligible participants 18 years and older. Hunters 17 years and younger are invited to compete in the Junior Buck class.
Big Buck Contest (Adults 18 years and older)
• First Place - $400
• Second Place - $200
• Third Place - $100
Junior Buck (17 years and younger)
• First Place - $200
• Second Place - $100
In addition to being eligible for a cash prize, junior hunters who harvest their first deer during the challenge will receive a trophy that can be picked up at their nearest GreenStone branch.
All participants who harvest a buck or doe and enter the contest will be entered in a drawing to win a game camera or a $25 gift card.
To enter, hunters should complete the form found at GreenStoneFCS.com/ DeerChallenge or drop off a completed entry form with witness signature and photos of the deer to GreenStone’s Clintonville, Coleman, Escanaba, Little Chute, Manitowoc, and Sturgeon Bay branches by December 6, 2025. For complete contest rules, contact your local Wisconsin or U.P. branch or visit www.GreenStoneFCS.com to learn more. ◀
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Partnership
GreenStone is proud to once again sponsor the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and their community garden. Each year the Timber Rattlers team up with GreenStone and the Freedom FFA Chapter to plant a garden at the ballpark. All food grown in the garden is harvested in the fall and donated to local food groups. To date in 2025, over one hundred and eighteen pounds of produce were harvested and donated to the St. Joseph Food Program in Menasha, Wisc.
When asked, Seth Merrill, development manager for the Timber Rattlers said, “The Timber Rattlers are grateful for the opportunity to give back to our community in a meaningful way. This Community Garden allows us to do just that, while partnering with great organizations like GreenStone, St. Joe’s Food Pantry, and the Freedom FFA.”
All at GreenStone look forward to seeing the bountiful harvest, giving back to our community, and feeding our neighbors. ◀
Summer 2025 Intern Wrap Up
GreenStone’s class of 19 interns wrapped up their GreenStone endeavors with a summer filled with learning, growth, and connections!
Over the past few months, they gained hands-on experience by contributing directly to impactful company projects. Their journeys were showcased in final
presentations shared with team members, executives, and managers. In the presentations, they highlighted their learning moments, final takeaways, and challenges they overcame within their departments.
Interns also reflected on the volunteer events, customer visits, and career development opportunities they experienced this summer that allowed them
Pause for Applause
Congratulations Dale and Lynnae Dick for being named Michigan Milk Producers Outstanding Dairy Cooperators!
Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame recently held their inductee ceremony at the Barry Expo Center in Hastings. During the ceremony five families were inducted into the hall of fame.
Congratulations to all the family on all your years of service to the ag community!
to challenge themselves and thrive in a supportive dynamic environment. From meaningful tasks that drive our mission forward to job shadowing and mentorship from industry professionals, GreenStone ensures every intern has the tools to succeed.
The GreenStone staff were able to get to know the interns’
backgrounds better, and what they did with their time in the program. After final presentations, the interns gathered at Jackson Field to watch the Lansing Lugnuts baseball game. They got to spend their last full day together as a group enjoying the game, food, and good company!
As we move into fall, we celebrate the incredible contributions of our interns and the lasting impact they’ve made at GreenStone. Their enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and dedication have enriched our teams, and inspired everyone at GreenStone. GreenStone is proud to be part of their professional journey and look forward to seeing the great things they’ll accomplish in the future.
The GreenStone team thanks the interns for a summer filled with purpose, growth, and unforgettable moments! If you or a student you know is interested in learning more about GreenStone’s intern programs, or career opportunities, check out our website! ◀
Staff Anniversaries
From five to 25 years of service, help us congratulate and thank our staff who are celebrating a GreenStone career milestone! The years represent the dedication and service all employees provide our members.
October
Courtney Constine 5
Brett Krosschell 5
Benjamin Hawes 5
Christopher Vargas 10
Ian McGonigal 25
Kyanne Rodabaugh 25
November
Nicole Burke 15
Trina Powers 20
December
Chelsea Stachlewitz 5
Eric Smith 10
Heidi Pettis 15
Matthew Willbrandt 15
Land Benchmark Results
BY: JORDAN WERNETT, GreenStone Appraisal Group Manager
GreenStone’s team of expert appraisers evaluate land values annually throughout Michigan and northeast Wisconsin. These values are measured by re-evaluating the same plots of land every year, providing our customers and landowners with a picture of how the value of cropland, transitional land, recreational land, and dairy improvements have changed throughout the year.
Revaluating the same plots of land each year eliminates variances that could occur with other survey methods. This provides our team of appraisers with the most accurate representation of market value trends. There are many factors that influence the results of these appraisals, including changing commodity prices, governmental regulations, the economy, tourism, and weather.
Land Benchmark Results
In 2025, alongside the same thirteen plots of land that are evaluated each year, three additional plots located in northern Michigan, north central Michigan, and northeastern Wisconsin were also appraised to give a more complete picture of land value trends across our region. The results from these land benchmarks were clear - the value of land is holding steady. Across the board, the average value of land increased by 5%. Land value increases ranged from 5-15%, with only one benchmark experiencing a decrease in value.
While land values have continued to increase over the past five years, they remained steady in 2025, suggesting the market may finally be leveling off and finding a balance post pandemic. This is still good news for landowners, as a majority of the benchmarks appraised continued to either increase or hold their value. These results are also optimistic for those trying to acquire land, as demand seems to be steadying in an ultracompetitive market.
Dairy and Cash Crop Land Values
Most notably, concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) sized dairy farms have experienced more than a 100% increase in value over the past five years, effectively doubling in value since the pandemic. Increased construction costs, and a healthier dairy market with increased demand and steady supply over the past few years are both contributing factors to this increase. In 2025 alone, CAFO
The GreenStone story
dairy operations increased in value by 7.5%. Many producers have even been able to expand their facilities in recent years because of an increase in profitability.
Out of the ten cash crop land benchmarks surveyed, seven of them experienced an increase in value, ranging from a 2.4% increase to a 14.5% increase. Michigan’s crop diversity is a contributing factor to the stabilization of these land values.
Western Wisconsin, and southwest and west Michigan showed the largest increases in value for cash crop land again this year due to continued competition for land. Three benchmarks maintained their value, after each experiencing a substantial increase in value in 2024.
Recreational and Transitional Land Values
Recreational and transitional land values also experienced an increase in value. Recreational land saw an increase of 5.7%, while transitional landagricultural land expected to be developed for another use in the
Description
Cash Crop - Southern MI
Transitional - Southeast MI
Transitional - Southern Thumb MI
Cash Crop - Mid-Michigan
Cash Crop - Northern Thumb MI
Cash Crop - Saginaw Valley MI
Recreational - Northern MI
Cash Crop - Southeast NEWI
Cash Crop - Western NEWI
Large Dairy - Michigan
Omro Dairy- Compeer Bmk
Southwest Michigan Cropland
Southern Michigan Recreational
West Michigan Cropland
Cash Crop - Northern Central MI
Cash Crop - Northern MI
Recreational - NEWI
future - increased by 5.3%. Only one recreational benchmark, located in southern Michigan, experienced a decrease in value. This comes after a 17.8% increase in 2024, once again suggesting land values are finally steadying post pandemic.
Transitional land values continue to hold strong despite not experiencing the dramatic increase in value we’ve seen over
“Thank you for your generosity in providing this scholarship to help individuals like myself in continuing our education to better the agricultural industry as a whole. I am very grateful to use this scholarship for my education and degree in animal science through Iowa State University.”
–
Elayna Hawkins, GreenStone Scholarship Recipient
the past five years. Increases in construction costs and shifting economic factors are both influences to transitional land values.
Land Remains a Strong Investment
Buying and owning land continues to be a strong investment in your future. For many landowners, it is very likely the value of your land
“Thank you so much for honoring me as one of your scholarship recipients. With the help from your kindness and generosity I am attending Michigan State University to study crop and soil Sciences with the hopes of becoming a seed salesman. Thank you for supporting students like me.”
– Sydney DuRussel, GreenStone Scholarship Recipient
has increased over the past few years. While we continue to see an increase in land values, the stabilization of land prices is also positive for those looking to acquire land.
GreenStone’s team of financial experts are here to help you find a solution that’s tailored to you, whether that’s securing vacant land or expanding your farming operation. ◀
“Thank you for sponsoring our state FFA convention, a career development event, and our state FFA officer team! We are so grateful for your support. Thank you for investing in the future of agriculture. ”
– Wisconsin FFA Association
Behind the Scenes:
Andrew J. Warner
Lead Appraiser, 13 years of service
What is your favorite part about your role?
Where to begin? It is truly a privilege and honor to be the “boots on the ground’ with our members. I’m always seeking to understand the ‘why’ behind people, places, and decisions, and I have a deep appreciation for the generational history, stories and legacies that shape our members, their families, and our communities.
What is something people might not know about GreenStone’s appraisal department?
Due to the unique blend of commercial and agricultural property types, the real-estate appraisal team is required to hold the highest licensure known as a Certified General License. This grants authority to appraise all real property including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and complex properties, with no transaction value limit. Because Farm Credit is a federally regulated lender, all appraisals must meet strict federal standards for accuracy and compliance.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your time with GreenStone?
Valuation requires separating personal opinion from market facts, basing conclusions on evidence rather than assumptions or emotions. Ethics and integrity are non-negotiable — being a trusted appraiser means upholding professional standards, even under pressure. At the same time, compassion and empathy are essential; understanding the stories, challenges, and legacies behind each property allows me to provide valuations that are not only accurate but also respectful of the people and communities involved.
Get to know a few of the faces behind GreenStone’s appraisal team!
Heidi Pettis
Lead Appraiser, 15 years of service
What is your favorite part about your role?
I enjoy working with our customers and seeing their homes and operations. I enjoy watching them expand their operations over time or build their dreams in our rural communities. One customer in particular stands out – they approached GreenStone for a land loan a few years ago, and I completed the appraisal for the transaction. A couple of years later, they decided to build a shed on their property, and I appraised it again for their construction project. This past summer, I was asked again to do a construction appraisal for them to build their dream home. I got to be with them every step of the way!
What is something people might not know about GreenStone’s appraisal department?
Our real estate appraisers are all licensed as Certified General Appraisers within each state that we work in. The licensing process is rigorous, often taking between three and five years to complete the required education and tests. Once we receive our license, we need to continue to take classes for continuing education to renew our license every two years.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your time with GreenStone?
The most valuable lesson that I’ve learned is to take the time to find all the facts before making a decision. Each appraisal is unique, and I take the time to look into each property and comparable sale fully to make sure that I am making the most informed decision. This helps ensure quality and consistency within our appraisal and lending process.
Amanda Ruggles
Senior Appraiser, 15 years of service
What is your favorite part about your role?
My favorite part about being an appraiser is being able to go out and visit our customers. I love to talk and connect with those in our industry; it’s nice to hear their stories! Farmers take pride in their land and their operations and love to share their knowledge.
What is something people might not know about GreenStone’s appraisal department?
Our appraisal department is made up of an amazing group of people who are knowledgeable in a wide range of agricultural operations. I truly feel that we are the best at what we do which is why we are sought out for agricultural appraisals.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your time with GreenStone?
I’ve learned you must be flexible and know how to prioritize your workload. We all have our list of assignments, but I’ve learned to prioritize my workload to make sure our customers always come first and to be ready for whatever comes my way! ◀
Mark Your
November
GreenStone Offices Closed
In honor of Veterans Day
GreenStone Offices Closed (27-28)
In honor of Thanksgiving
December
Michigan Farm Bureau Annual Meeting (2-3) Devos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, MI
Wisconsin Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference (5-8) Kalahari ResortWisconsin Dells, WI
Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo (9-11) Devos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, MI
GreenStone Offices Closed (24-25) In honor of Christmas January
11 09 27 24 01 14 02 05
GreenStone Offices Closed
In honor of the New Year
Dairy Strong Conference (14-15) Green Bay, WI
As the saying goes -it’s inevitable
Benjamin Franklin is attributed with the famous phrase, “In this world, nothing can be certain, except death and taxes,” which he wrote in a letter in 1789 as part of his discussion of the new U.S. Constitution which he hoped would be durable for the future of this new free country. While many of us would credit Mr. Franklin for this quote, it belongs to Daniel Defoe from his controversial political work in his 1726 Political History of the Devil where he wrote: “Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more for firmly believed.” Nevertheless, as we come to realize truth on many subjects through healthy debate and fair-minded skepticism, the
inevitable march of Father Time overshadows our search for common sense in the free world Mr. Franklin envisioned.
The reality of life and the dreams of individuals finds foundations in principles nurtured at birth and affirmed through education, relationships and environment. Call it what you will, once your foundation is set and built upon it, it is a monumental task to change. It takes an enormous amount of will power from a free will which rings loudly out of the U.S. Constitution – Freedom.
Yet as a nation, political forces of government come to bear to ensure the foundation of
freedom is maintained with a commonsense set of guidelines. Can we all agree on some of those, or will division be created over what we might believe to be foundationally necessary. One topic that has become a political difference for debate is healthy eating and its affect on the business of agriculture.
The Make America Healthy Again Commission released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a sweeping plan with more than 120 initiatives to reverse the failed policies that fueled America’s childhood chronic disease epidemic on September 9, 2025. The strategy outlines targeted
executive actions to advance gold-standard science, realign incentives, increase public awareness, and strengthen private-sector collaboration. It seeks to unpack the potential dietary, behavioral, medical, and environmental drivers behind this issue and establish “a clear, evidence-based foundation for the policy interventions, institutional reforms, and societal shifts needed to reverse course.”
The Assessment begins with data and statistics on rising levels of childhood obesity, diabetes, neurodevelopmental disorders, childhood cancer, mental health issues, and autoimmune disorders, and identifies four potential drivers behind this rise in childhood chronic diseases: poor diet, aggregation of environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity and chronic stress, and overmedicalization.
In essence, the Assessment is a leadership effort from the top of the governmental food chain to establish a new foundation to maintain the health of our country. While it may surprise some that the politics of food has created drama and debate, the search for the truth about food exists.
The “politics of food” encompasses the decisions, policies, and power dynamics surrounding production, distribution, regulation, and consumption of food. It examines how agricultural practices, trade, marketing, dietary choices, and access to food intersect with ethical, economic, environmental, and health concerns. Key issues include the influence of corporations, the impact of government policies like the Bill, the debate over foods and additives, efforts to combat malnutrition and obesity, and the push for sustainable agriculture.
Key Aspects of Food Politics
• Production: How food is grown, including agricultural practices, labor, animal welfare, and environmental impact.
• Distribution: The systems and processes for getting food from farms to consumers, often involving complex global supply chains.
• Regulation: Government rules and policies regarding food safety, labeling, additives, and quality.
• Consumption: The choices people make about what to eat, influenced by factors like advertising, culture, health information, and economic status.
Areas of Debate and Controversy
• Corporate Influence: The role of food and agriculture industries in shaping policies and consumer behavior through lobbying and marketing.
• Public Health vs. Corporate Interests: Debates over issues like large portion sizes, sugary drinks, and the use of additives, where public health recommendations can conflict with the interests of food companies.
• Sustainability: Balancing agricultural productivity with environmental protection, resource management, and long-term ecological health.
• Food Security and Access: Addressing global and local hunger, poverty, and ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all populations.
• Ethics and Values: Debates over the ethics of certain farming practices, the sustainability of food systems, and the balance between tradition and progress.
Cheers to all of us around the dinner table who have the freedom to choose, which exists despite death and taxes being the only certainty. ◀
Legislative Outreach: We continue to build strong relationships to support rural communities and agriculture
food labeling, and fertilizer requirements.
Throughout the year, actions taken through the Political Action Committees (PACs) have enabled your GreenStone team, board of directors, and fellow members to engage in dialogue with legislative leaders who are eager to support the agriculture industry. Central to each meeting is providing education on the structure and value of GreenStone and the Farm Credit System and discussing our rural communities and agriculture.
In Michigan, over 20 individual meetings have occurred with Senators and Representatives to introduce GreenStone to the new leaders in the legislative branch. Through the summer recess, advocacy has specifically continued
on the biodigestor licensing and operation issues, and unneccessary regulation in general. In addition, ahead of the gubenatorial election next year GreenStone has participated with the Ag Leaders of Michigan group to meet and have introductory meetings with all announced candidates for governor. GreenStone is a trusted resource in the constantly evolving political landscape, and your financial support provided through the MI GreenStone PAC is what makes that possible!
In Wisconsin, several WI Farm Credit PAC disbursements have been made and numerous legislative items are being tracked and discussed, including land ownership,
Federally, over 30 meetings have taken place with U.S. Senators and Representatives to communicate the importance of the Farm Credit System. The focus has been and is on the importance of the Farm Credit System Farm Bill priorities: increasing FSA direct and guaranteed loan limits, increasing financing available to rural community facilities, increasing Farm Credit’s rural home lending population limit, and ensuring the Farm Credit Administration is the primary regulator of Farm Credit System insitutions. Our Michigan and Wisconsin delegation has been responsive to our requests for bill co-sponsorship and there continues to be efforts to answer questions and move our priorities forward for our customers and business. GreenStone is a trusted resource in the constantly evolving political landscape, and your financial support provided through our PACs is what makes that possible! As stewards of the Farm Credit System and partners in the agriculture industry, the highest importance is placed on communicating the importance of our members to Michigan and Wisconsin, our country, and the world. Thank you for your involvement! ◀
Heads up! The 2026 MI GreenStone PAC and WI Farm Credit PAC drives will take place from January 1-31, 2026. Be sure to look out for the voluntary pledge and contribution card in your mail at the end of December. If you have questions about getting involved with hundreds of your fellow members, contact your local banch.
Country Living customer feature
LEASE TO OWN.
Growing up in the Detroit metro area, Ben Dowdy remembers going hunting with his father from time to time. But he never took the hobby too seriously.
But when you attend college in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, an outdoorsman’s paradise with vast public lands and the allure of illusive trophy bucks, it’s easy to get sucked into the lifestyle.
Bit by the Hunting Bug
While attending Northern Michigan University, Ben played wide receiver on the school’s football team for two seasons. After an injury sidelined him, he began devoting more and more of his time outside of the classroom to the woods.
“Being up in Marquette, I mean, it’s the deer hunting capital of the world,” Ben said. “That’s where I really fell in love with it.”
Ben’s first love was bow hunting and he did a lot of it during his junior and senior years of college. He even wrote a paper about bow hunting for one of his courses.
Toward the end of his time in the U.P., Ben made two long-term life goals for himself. First, he wanted to one day purchase a hunting property. Second, he wanted to harvest a deer on his own land.
Moving South
After graduating from college in 2019, Ben took a job in Battle Creek, Mich., working
for Voyager Dog Food, a start-up company founded by the father of one of his classmates at Northern Michigan University.
“When I moved here, I quickly realized there is not nearly as much public land as there was up in the U.P., so I began trying to find somewhere to hunt,” says Ben.
As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. Over time, Ben made connections and built friendships in his new home. These relationships opened up new hunting opportunities, not just for deer but waterfowl as well.
“I was able to meet a lot of people because I had a really good dog that people wanted to take out on hunts,” Ben recalls with a smile.
Finding a Lease
One of Ben’s friends, a local farmer, bought some farmland in Athens, Mich., a few miles south of Battle Creek around the time Ben moved to the area. A couple years later, when the friend mentioned that he was looking to lease the property, Ben jumped at the opportunity.
Ben knew gaining access to private land was key to having a consistent place to hunt without too much pressure from other hunters or having to drive hours from home each weekend.
“I think it would have been 2021. That was the first year that I leased the property,” said Ben. “I tried hunting the little public land that was
◀ Left: Ben and Natalie Dowdy, with their dog Duke, stand in front of a tree stand on their 40-acre property near Battle Creek, Mich. The Dowdys plan to use the land as a place to build traditions and make memories with family and friends for decades to come.
When I moved here, I quickly realized there is not nearly as much public land as there was up in the U.P., so I began trying to find somewhere to hunt.
around here and was having no luck at all. There were too many people and not enough ground.”
Ben quickly discovered the power of having a private place to hunt.
The first year of his lease was the first time he had an excellent experience hunting downstate. He was hooked.
“The second year that we leased it, I had put in there that if something were to happen … I wanted first rights to buy,” said Ben. “I assumed, being farmers, they were going to keep all their land forever. But I wanted to have a plan, so that if something were to happen, I would get first dibs on the property.”
Ben’s foresight paid off.
Buying his Dream Property
In August of 2024, his friend decided to sell the property that Ben was leasing and gave Ben the opportunity to purchase it.
“My wife, Natalie, and I got married in August. So it was right after our wedding,” Ben said. “He called me and said, ‘Hey, we’re trying to buy something different. I know it’s kind of short notice, but we’re going to sell. Do you want it?’”
After talking it over the newlyweds made their biggest decision since tying the knot.
“We had a couple days to talk it
over and, ultimately, it was perfect timing,” said Ben. “We just had the wedding, so we had some money saved up. It just kind of fell into our laps and we got really lucky to get it off market at a pretty good price.”
Ben says that he gave Natalie final say when they were considering the purchase and she was all in.
“I’m so lucky that my wife never doubted it. She was fully on board with, ‘Hey, this is your dream, let’s go make it happen,’” Ben said.
“It’s good to have good friends. It’s good to have a good wife. And it’s good to have a good dog,” he said with a grin. “There is nothing
better than having all three.”
Once the decision to purchase the property was made, Ben knew he would need to find financing. A longtime fan of Michigan Out of Doors TV, he had seen ads for GreenStone on the program for years. When the time came to buy his own property, GreenStone was the first lender he reached out to. And the last.
After calling GreenStone, Ben got connected with another Ben – Ben Hawes, senior financial services officer at the Concord branch. The Bens hit it off immediately. “I had planned on looking at a couple different lenders, but on the first phone call I had with Ben I think we probably talked for an hour,” said Ben Dowdy. “I just felt so confident that he understood what I was trying to do. He was able to answer all the questions that I had. I honestly never looked anywhere else. It just made sense.”
According to Ben Hawes, he was able to help Ben Dowdy achieve his dream of owning his own property by walking the path with him.
“It was his first big purchase and the only mortgage he had ever pursued,” Ben Hawes said. “My goal was to treat him the way I would want to be treated.”
The fact that Ben Hawes was a fellow outdoorsman and avid hunter, that he shared a common sense of humor and showed an honest concern for helping him achieve his goals, and that he supported him throughout the entire loan process, made all the difference, according to Ben Dowdy.
When he learned that GreenStone is a member-owned cooperative that returns a significant portion of its profits through checks to its members each year through its Patronage program, Ben Dowdy recalls feeling that it sounded too good to be true.
“When GreenStone does well, the customers do well. It’s a really cool program and seems really uncommon,” Ben Dowdy said.
Making Good on Goals
After only a few short years, Ben Dowdy was able to achieve the first of his goals he made back in college. He owned 40 acres of land.
A short time after the Dowdys purchased the property, Ben brought his father and brother out to hunt on the opening day of gun season. On his brother’s first hunt of his life, he shot a buck on Ben’s land.
For Ben, more than simply a place to hunt, his land is a place to build memories with family and friends. He aims to make improvements to the property each year and to one day pass it down to his future children.
“It was really cool living up in the U.P., being so surrounded by the traditional side of things. A lot of that stuff has kind of gone away. The deer camps don’t happen as often. There’s not the big family gatherings anymore,” said Ben.
“Being able to have a place of my own to get my dad back involved in hunting, and to take my brother out for his first hunt and sit in a tree stand with him when he shot his first deer - those things mean a whole lot to me. It was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had,” Ben shared.
As the leaves start to change and the temperatures begin to cool, the opening day of deer season is just around the corner.
You know where Ben will be.
Sitting in a stand on his land, looking to make good on his second goal from college. ◀
Being able to have a place of my own to get my dad back involved in hunting, and to take my brother out for his first hunt... those things mean a whole lot to me.
◀ Left: Ben Dowdy (right) stands with Ben Hawes, his GreenStone senior financial services officer. Fellow outdoorsmen and avid hunters, they related well to each other when Ben Dowdy inquired about a recreational land loan last fall.
▲ Above: Ben Dowdy’s dog, Duke, takes a seat during a recent tour of his 40-acre playground - Ben’s recreational property.
Michigan Waterfowl Hunting
BY: JORDAN BROWNE,
Associate
Producer of Michigan Out of Doors TV
Michigan, a state defined by its abundant water resources and diverse landscapes, stands as a top destination for waterfowl hunting. Bordered by four of the five Great Lakes and crisscrossed by countless rivers, marshes, and inland lakes, the state provides a perfect habitat for a variety of migratory and resident waterfowl.
More than just a hobby, waterfowl hunting in Michigan is a timehonored tradition deeply intertwined with the history of conservation.
The unique geography of Michigan places it squarely in both the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways, two of North America’s major migration corridors. This strategic location brings an array of ducks and geese through the state each fall and winter. Although some of the major flyways may produce a higher quantity of birds, Michigan has incredible diversity. Hunters can pursue a wide range of species, from the ubiquitous and beloved mallard and the colorful wood ducks to diving ducks like scaup, canvasbacks, and redheads, which frequent the deeper waters of the Great Lakes and larger inland
lakes. Geese are also a staple of the Michigan waterfowl scene, with hunting opportunities available for both resident and migratory populations. There’s plenty of different ways and places to target ducks and geese throughout the fall and early winter.
Michigan offers a ton of public land for hunters to chase waterfowl, from remote undeveloped state forests and state game areas to several managed waterfowl hunting areas throughout the state. These managed areas, such as popular locations like Harsens Island, Pointe Mouillee, and Fish Point, are specifically designed to provide high-quality hunting opportunities for hunters. Whether it’s a small scale hunt for wood ducks on a quiet beaver pond in the Upper Peninsula or a classic layout hunt for divers on Saginaw Bay, Mich., provides diverse opportunities for every type of waterfowl hunter. The
No discussion of waterfowl hunting is complete without a mention of the hunting dog, an indispensable partner in the field and an integral part of the experience.
ample amount of public land is part of the reason Michigan has a long hunting heritage.
The tradition of waterfowl hunting in Michigan is inseparable from the principles of conservation. The sport’s existence depends on healthy waterfowl populations and robust wetland habitats. Hunters are conservationists, and their financial contributions are the lifeblood of these efforts. Every waterfowl hunter aged 16 and older in Michigan is required to purchase a state waterfowl hunting license and a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. The revenue generated from the sale of these licenses and stamps directly funds critical conservation projects and management. Beyond financial contributions, hunters play a vital role in on the ground conservation by reporting changes in habitat and population numbers, volunteering for restoration projects, and advocating for sound wildlife management practices. This commitment ensures that the habitats and the birds they pursue are preserved for future generations.
No discussion of waterfowl hunting is complete without a mention of the hunting dog, an indispensable partner in the field and an integral part of the experience. My own waterfowl experience is no different, as my love for the sport really started to grow after getting my first dog, Boone. He was born to retrieve and thrived at just about every aspect of waterfowl hunting, retrieving ducks from all kinds of different habitats. We spent
a decade chasing puddle ducks around mid-Michigan and his drive to hunt pushed me to spend countless mornings in the marsh. Hunting dogs have a long-standing tradition in the waterfowl world and my experience certainly wouldn’t be the same without all of those days watching my dog work.
The bond between a hunter and their dog is a special one, built on trust, communication, and a love for the outdoors. The quiet anticipation as a dog watches the sky, the excitement of the chase, and the proud return with a bird are moments that define the waterfowl hunting experience.
Waterfowl hunting here in Michigan isn’t about any one of the things discussed in this article, but a combination of all of them. It’s about conservation, hunting, tradition, public lands, and time in the field. It’s the pre-dawn boat ride or hike into the marsh, the methodical placement of decoys in cold water, and the quiet camaraderie of a blind shared with friends and a loyal hunting dog.
This year, I’ll be hunting for the first time in over a decade without the dog that helped foster my love for waterfowl hunting. Although I can’t envision loading up my truck without him in it, I know that the memories we shared and the time spent in the field will certainly drive me back out into the marsh at some point. It won’t be the same for me, but I know that the other aspects of waterfowl hunting will pull me back in. The tradition and legacy of waterfowl hunting here in Michigan will carry on and I’m happy to be a part of it. ◀
Country Living –Open Fields Blog
GreenStone publishes regular updates on our Open Fields blog. Check out some of the posts you may have missed at www. greenstonefcs.com/openfieldsblog.
Managing your Hunting Land
While you’re out hunting this year, here are things to consider to amplify your hunting experience next time around.
Where to Start When Looking for Recreational Land
When it comes to finding the perfect property for you, preparation before beginning your search is key.
Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty Details on Recreational Land Loans
We’re all familiar with the reasons why someone would want a recreational land loan ... but what about the how? ◀
Why Now is the Right Time to Invest in Land
No matter what your reason for wanting a piece of land to call your own, one thing is for certain – they’re not making any more of it! ◀
This year GreenStone is partnering with Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger to help feed those in need! Here at GreenStone, we support rural communities by supporting great organizations like this one. If you are interested in donating your deer this hunting season, scan the QR code below to find a licensed processor near you!
Fall prep for an easy spring
We are all well acquainted with a warm summer that allows us to perfectly set up our landscapes, gardens, and patios. But, that means we have to take the time in the fall to clean up a bit and prepare our land for the harsher winter. As you start your fall cleanup, we hope these tips can help your land thrive this winter season!
First things first, things like the grill, patio furniture, air conditioner, and the garden hose should be one of the first priorities. Making sure each of them are clean, covered, and put away will make the spring much easier when you go to
use them again. Putting away any summer lawn or garden décor at the same time will ensure nothing gets lost or broken and creates space for fall and winter décor!
Garden and flower beds can be a bit trickier, let’s break the pieces down.
Perennials will come back year after year if they are healthy enough. This fall, remove any branches that are dead or diseased to promote healthy growth this spring. Dead or diseased branches when weighed down with snow or ice can cause damage to healthy parts of the plant. You should also identify how large your perennials are, this is the best time of year to divide them. Dividing perennials allows for more root space, prevents overgrowth, and creates extra plants to share with friends or plant elsewhere!
Annuals do not come back; many may have already died by this time of year or are on their way out. Make sure to remove all parts of the annual
flowers (and any weeds). Leaving annuals will encourage pests or diseases as the plant decomposes over the winter, making spring planting more difficult. Cleaning the dead debris out will give you a nice blank planting canvas for next spring.
Tender vegetables are unable to tolerate frost. Crops like tomatoes, peas, or pumpkins should be harvested completely before frost comes, including dead debris. Semi-hardy and hardy vegetables can wait a little longer, they often survive the light frosts and may even taste better after a late harvest. Composting in the spring is a common practice, but adding a layer of compost over your garden beds for the winter will allow the soil to soak up nutrients while there is nothing growing. Adding a two-tothree-inch layer of straw, leaves, grass clippings, or even pine needles overtop of the compost will help to reduce weed development, nutrient leaching, and keep the soil temperature regulated.
Another option to compost and mulching is a winter cover crop! Depending on what nutrients your soil lacks, crops like cereal rye, winter wheat and hairy vetch will endure a harsh winter and return valuable nutrients to your soil next spring. Planting a cover crop before the first frost will allow for sustainable growth and survival.
Whether cleanup is a family affair or a solo serenade, ensuring a proper cleanup will ensure your garden or landscape looks perfect when it’s time to bring the grill and furniture back out in the spring!◀
Holiday Gift Jars
Gift shopping is no easy feat, with the holidays quickly approaching, here’s some fun and easy gift recipes your family can make together! These are simple enough for the littles to make, but delicious enough for friends and family to enjoy!
They will all be easy to store and gift within a canning jar. Take the opportunity to decorate the jars as your family wishes, and add a gift tag with any instructions to complete the goodies in the jar. A great personal touch to add to the jars may be pieces of ribbon, a picture attached to the top of the jar, or even a handwritten note!
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Jar Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Jar Directions
Mix flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Pour into a 1-quart canning jar. Layer with brown sugar, white sugar, and chocolate chips, making sure to pack down all the ingredients.
Baking Instructions to include with the Jar
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix 3/4 cup unsalted butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add 1 large egg and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; mix well. Slowly add cookie mix; mix until completely blended. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes approximately 36 cookies.
Holiday Potpourri
Jar Ingredients
• 1 slice dried orange (can use fresh fruit if gifting quickly)
• 1 slice dried apple
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ¼ cup cranberries (fresh or dried)
• 2 sprigs of pine or rosemary
• Pinch of whole cloves
Jar Directions -
Add all ingredients to canning jar.
Cooking Instructions to include with the Jar
Boil 2-4 cups of water, add jar ingredients and reduce to a simmer for as long as desired to add a great scent to your home all day long.
5 bean soup mix
Jar Ingredients
• ⅓ cup pinto Beans
• ⅓ cup green split peas
• ⅓ cup black beans
• ⅓ cup great northern beans
• ⅓ cup kidney beans
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoons dried chopped onions
• 1 tablespoon dried garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bouillon cube
Jar Directions –
Add all ingredients to canning jar
Cooking instructions to include with the Jar
Add all ingredients to five cups of water. Add one 14 ounce can of diced tomatoes to the pan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low and simmer until the beans are tender and the soup is thick adding more water as necessary to soften the beans (around 90 minutes). Remove and discard bay leaf before serving. Season to taste.◀
Commodity Cuisine
Seared Duck Breast with Blueberry, Ginger, and Jalapeño
As we transition into waterfowl season, we asked Michigan Out of Doors TV to share one of their favorite recipes to try this season. Enjoy their sweet and savory duck recipe below!
INGREDIENTS
• Duck breasts with skin on if possible
• 1/3 Cup Oil
• 1 TB Fresh ginger, peeled and very finely minced,
• 1 Whole fresh jalapeño, very finely minced
• 1 Cup Dry red wine
• ½ Cup Blueberry preserves or jam
• 1 TB Dijon mustard
• ¼ Cup Balsamic vinegar
• 1 Cup Fresh blueberries
DIRECTIONS
1. Salt your duck to taste on both sides.
2. In a pan large enough to hold all your breasts, place oil in over medium heat.
3. Once you barely begin to see smoke add duck breasts skin side down.
4. Cook 2/3 of the way on skin side in order to crisp skin as much as possible. If you didn’t leave skin on do the same process so you can get a nice brown color.
5. Flip duck over and cook to medium rare. Using a thermometer, when 125 to 130 degrees is reached remove duck from pan and place on a plate to rest while you make the sauce.
6. In a small sauce pan over medium heat, add a small amount of oil. Once you see a small amount of smoke add ginger and jalapeno. Sweat for 1 minute.
7. Deglaze with red wine and reduce the wine by half.
8. Add blueberry preserves, mustard and vinegar. Raise heat and bring to a boil and reduce until a syrup-like consistency is reached.
9. Add fresh blueberries to sauce, stir in and remove from heat.
10. Slice duck breast very thinly on a bias.
11. Add duck breast to serving plate.
12. Spoon sauce over and around duck. ◀
APH Reviews
The Risk Management Agency (RMA) threshold for an Actual Production History (APH) policy review is $200,000.
An APH policy review is simply the process of verifying the accuracy of the insured reported production, share and acres. Accurate and complete records will simplify the process along with the following guidelines:
• Production records must be separated by crop, practice, type, unit, and the actual crop year.
• Records must be sorted by the FSA-578 producer prints, settlement sheets, and soft records.
• The insured must keep three years of production records.
• Daily livestock feeding should be recorded daily.
• Printed combine monitor records should be stored with settlement sheets.
• The insured cannot split truckloads, tickets, and bins between units without proper soft records for comingled production.
• Co-mingled production needs to be measured by a disinterested third party.
• The insured should keep original records and provide the Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) with copies.
Hard records are production records that prove the final disposition of the total crop and are verifiable by a third party. Soft records are the
documents an insured must provide if production is separated by unit, practice, type, or variety. Soft records must include all units. Missing or incomplete soft records may result in co-mingled production and the loss of optional units. This may result in a lower guarantee.
If you think you will be submitting a claim that will be above the $200,000 threshold, please contact your agent to begin the APH Review process. Most claims will not be paid until the review is completed. The earlier the process begins, the earlier a claim can be paid. For more details, please contact your local GreenStone crop insurance specialist. ◀
Acreage Reports
It is the customer’s responsibility to report the crop that was planted in each section, the planting date, the percent share of that crop and the quantity harvested. Reporting your crop accurately and double checking everything is especially important. Corrections or changes cannot be made after the reporting deadline. If you have any questions or would like assistance, contact your local GreenStone crop insurance team. ◀
Sweet Cherry Insurance Change
Growers can now have optional units by type, where they can have independent coverage for canner and briner type Processing Sweet Cherries. Contact your specialty crop agent for more information. ◀
End of Insurance Period
Insurance ends on each unit or part of unit at the earliest of:
• Total destruction of the crop
• Harvest
• Final adjustment of loss
• Applicable calendar date in the crop or special provisions
• Abandonment
• Or, as otherwise specified in the Crop Provisions
Provisions require a Notice of Loss (NOL) within 72 hours of damage discovery but not later than 15 days after the end of insurance period. Revenue losses must be submitted no later than 45 days after the release of Harvest Price. It is the insureds’ responsibility to contact their crop insurance specialist if they have or think they have a loss. ◀
Apple Reminders
November 20, 2025, is the sales closing deadline to change your current coverage or take out a new policy for the 2026 crop year. Premiums
are not billed to you until August 15, 2026, and are due September 30. Your current coverage will carry over for 2026 if you do not change anything in writing by November 20. January 15 is the acreage and yield reporting deadline for fruit. Please report acres and production as early as possible! The County Transitional Yield (T-Yield) and 2026 prices have been recently announced. That information will be included in your renewal information later this year or you can contact your crop insurance specialist for more details.
Co-Mingled Production
Please be aware that any production from 2024 being carried over into the 2025 harvest needs to be measured or marked by an adjuster prior to adding the current year’s production. Added production needs to be kept separate by unit through bin markings. If you need a bin measurement, call your crop insurance specialist. ◀
Important – Claims and Appraisals
Most producers have been there before. No matter what you do during the growing season, sometimes Mother Nature just will not cooperate,
and you are anticipating that your yields may fall below your guarantee. Obviously, this is not the situation you would like to be in, but that is why you purchased crop insurance to begin with. If you do find yourself in a claim’s situation, there are some important things to remember that can help the process go a lot more smoothly.
Insurance coverage begins at time of application or time of planting, whichever is later. The end of the insurance period is the earlier of destruction of the crop, final harvest of the crop, abandonment of the crop, or the end of the insurance period (October 31st for wheat). It is the insured’s responsibility to notify the insurance company within 72 hours of the initial discovery of the damage or production loss, but no later than 15 days after the end of the insurance period, even if the crop has not been harvested. A phone call to your crop insurance specialist can start the process, but it needs to be followed up in writing with a text or email. If you have a revenue protection policy and have a claim based on strictly price, the insurance company must be notified within 45 days of the harvest price announcement for the crop. The RMA is enforcing these rules and has been known to decline late filed claim requests and have even requested repayment from an insured for paid claims that were improperly filed.
Remembering these key points will help avoid any problems with your claim and make the process go that much better. As always, if you have questions based on what you have read, please contact your crop insurance specialist and they will be able to help you out. ◀
Crop Insurance Calendar
October
Forage Underwriting Report
Signature Due Date
Wheat Final Plant Date
End of Insurance Period (loss reporting deadline) for Fall Crops
Final Claim Reporting Date for Dry Beans
November
End of Insurance Period (loss reporting deadline) for Apples
Michigan Wheat and Wisconsin Forage Production Reports Due
Wisconsin Wheat and Forage Acreage Reports and Wheat Production Reports
Final Claim Reporting Date for Sugar Beets
Fruit Sales Close Date and End of Insurance Period for Grapes
December
End of Insurance Period (loss reporting deadline) for Spring Crops
Michigan Wheat and Forage Acreage Reports Due
January Fruit Acreage/Production Reports and Pre-Acceptance Worksheets Due
* Please note that some dates can vary by county, especially in Wisconsin. Please check with your crop insurance specialist for specific dates if you are unsure.
Larger Investment in Crop Insurance Subsidies from the One Big Beautiful
Bill
On August 20, 2025, the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced the rollout of crop insurance enhancements authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act, effective retroactively to July 1, 2025. Here’s what producers can expect from these enhancements:
• Whole Farm Revenue Protection: Maximum coverage increased from 85% to 90%, enhancing protection for diversified operations.
• SCO: Premium support has been raised from 65% to 80% and is now available regardless of Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) elections at Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanding access.
• Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) and Marginal Coverage Option (MCO): Both will receive 80% subsidy support, improving affordability. This option begins covering at 95% down to 86%. This provides additional revenue based coverage on the county.
• Beginning Farmers & Ranchers (BFR): Increased premium support during the first decade of farming operations, making crop insurance more affordable for the next generation of producers. In addition, BFR is now defined as an individual who has not actively operated and managed a farm or ranch for more than 10 crop years.
• Basic and Optional unit policies: Both will also experience an increase in subsidy. Below is the increase in subsidy coverage levels: ◀
Securing 163 Years of Tradition
Family owned since its founding amid the American Civil War, Overhiser Orchards in South Haven, Mich., has been “providing fresh fruit since 1863.”
Allan Overhiser represents the fifth generation of his family to own and operate the farm.
Allan and his wife, Kim, welcomed their first son in 1996. Two years later they welcomed quadruplets. Alex Overhiser, one of the four, eventually joined his father as an owner of the operation – carrying
the family legacy, and farm, into its sixth generation.
Situated about a mile from where the first South Haven peach – the predecessor of the lauded Red Haven variety – was discovered, Overhiser Orchards’ retail location features a barn-themed farm market stocked with fruit harvested on site and homemade apple cider donuts, as well as other produce and various locally sourced products. It also offers visitors the option to pick their own fruit, including a variety of sweet and sour cherries, peaches,
pears, plums, and apples.
Agritourism makes up around half of Overhiser Orchards’ business today, according to Allan.
“We’re open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day – all holidays,” says Alex. “We try to have something for everyone. So, when they come out, they know there is something fresh for them to find.”
A commercial fruit operation makes up the other half of the orchard’s business.
▲ Allan and Alex Overhiser represent the fifth and sixth generation to carry on their family farm, Overhiser Orchards.
“We have primarily one farm that’s dedicated to retail and U-pick. The rest of the acreage goes towards the normal commercial outlets,” Allan said. “We do a lot of what I call, ‘mom-and-pop wholesale.’ In other words, farm markets and different customers in Indiana for some of our peaches and plums and pears.”
Agriculture is notoriously unpredictable, and fruit is among its most unpredictable sectors. Sensitivity to subtle weather variables, high input costs, perishability, and price volatility are just a few of the factors that have made fruit farming a difficult business to sustain, let alone grow.
According to Allan, one key to Overhiser Orchards’ longevity has been its conscious effort to maintain diversity across the fruit it grows.
Not only does diversification expand the farm’s growing season and production capacity, spreading risk across multiple fruits helps to lower the impact of a bad
crop on the operation.
However, crop diversification is a doubleedged sword, Allan says. On one hand, growing many different crops allows the grower to lower the likelihood that their entire yield is impacted by a disaster. However, it also increases the likelihood that some of their crops will perform poorly year in and year out.
“Because we’re so diverse and have a lot of different crops, I always say, ‘We’re so diverse that we’re guaranteed a disaster in something every year,’” Allan quips.
Fruit crop insurance is the second key that Allan attributes to Overhiser Farms’ continued success.
“Crop insurance has been a real difference maker,” says Allan. “A lot of people would say, ‘Well, you’re so diverse, so you’re self-insured.’ But at the end of the day, the same types of disasters can affect all my crops in a single year every once in a while, and that’s tough.”
Because we’re so diverse and have a lot of different crops, I always say, ‘We’re so diverse that we’re guaranteed a disaster in something every year.
Recalling the decades that his family spent managing Overhiser Orchards before fruit crop insurance was available, Allan emphasized the night and day difference it has made.
“As a kid growing up in the 1960s and the 1970s, there were some really hard years in the fruit industry,” Allan recollects. “From overproduction to freezes, it was a tough go. A lot of farms went by the wayside.”
In addition to farming, both of Allan’s parents had other careers. His father, Albert, was a truck driver. His mother, June, was a schoolteacher. Without similar secondary employment, many of the elder Overhisers’ contemporaries during the mid-20th century saw their operations fail when inevitable bad years struck.
“Crop insurance is something they just didn’t have the option to purchase,” Allan laments. “I think life would have been a little easier for them if they could have had that.”
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation was founded in 1938 in response to the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In the 1980s the federal crop insurance program expanded coverage options to include more crops and larger swaths of the country. Over the next two decades, as a result of additional revisions to federal policies, the number of American farmers utilizing crop insurance had increased significantly. Overhiser Orchards was one of the many operations that began taking advantage of emerging crop insurance options in the 1990s.
According to Allan, crop insurance has not only provided more peace of mind in the face of the incredible year-toyear volatility of the fruit industry but allowed the operation the cushion and confidence required to expand its
business rather than simply sustain it.
“Finding somebody that is invested in your operation as much as you can be difficult. Crop insurance can be a creative way to invest in other aspects of the farm as you grow,” says Jeffrey Sparks, the Overhiser’s GreenStone crop insurance specialist. “For the Overhisers, they used their commercial apples, peaches, and crop insurance to carry them as they slowly built out their direct markets. Having an agent that understands your operations and goals can help growers achieve their goals for future generations.”
A practical benefit of fruit crop insurance, on which Allan places tremendous value, is its ability to support keeping on key employees, even during years when costly disasters hit.
“It was always tough before crop insurance. If you freezed out, you would board up the windows, try to maintain the trees, and do what you could do,” says Allan. “But with crop insurance, you can better keep the key employees that you need to continue the farm instead of having to tell them, ‘Sorry, guys. I don’t have any work for you this year.’”
“This is something that is often overlooked,” says Jeffrey. “Crop insurance doesn’t just provide revenue from the crop you are missing. It helps operations keep employees and stability into the future.”
Growing up by his father’s side, working on the farm in various capacities since he was a child, and now an owner looking to one day take over the family business, Alex recognizes the role crop insurance has played in providing him the opportunity to think outside the box and be creative with expanding Overhiser Orchards’ offerings and attractions.
“It’s been a privilege to watch Alex grow into his role on his farm,” said Jeffrey. “The joy and satisfaction it brings to
Far Left: Allan Overhiser (left) and Alex Overhiser (right) chat with Jeffrey Sparks, their GreenStone crop insurance specialist., outside of the farm market at Overhiser Orchards in South Haven, Mich. ◀ Left and Right: The orchard has a retail location that features a barn-themed farm market stocked with fruit harvested on site and homemade apple cider donuts, as well as other produce and various locally sourced products. It also offers visitors the option to pick their own fruit, including a variety of sweet and sour cherries, peaches, pears, plums, and apples.
me as an agent to watch one generation transition to another gives me a sense of pride that I was able to help that transition take place, even if I wasn’t the main component to that success!”
Just this year, Alex led the farm to invest in a children’s play area called “The Barnyard,” that features large, farm-themed bounce houses, games, and a bucket train powered by an ATV “locomotive.”
Such benefits are why Allan and Alex place such a high value on crop insurance and intend to keep it as a standard part of their business strategy indefinitely.
“Crop insurance is not cheap. It’s certainly something that you have to think about. You have to choose the right product for the right scenarios and make some financial decisions about what you purchase,” Allan said.
“But at the end of the day, I don’t think we’re going to turn a wheel without crop insurance.” ◀
◀
What Does the One Big Beautiful Bill Mean for Farmers?
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act was signed into law to extend, enhance and, in some cases, make permanent some of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s (TCJA) tax law changes in addition to addressing a long list of other important and new agricultural issues (Text - H.R.1 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): One Big Beautiful Bill Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress).
In this article, we highlight the provisions that are most relevant and applicable to our farming customers from an income taxation standpoint.
Individual Income Tax Rates
The OBBB permanently extends the tax rates and brackets enacted by the TCJA which will continue to save farmers income tax.
Standard Deduction
Beginning in 2025, the OBBB provides an increase in the Standard Deduction to $15,750 for singles, $23,625 for heads of household, and $31,500 for taxpayers married filing jointly. This increased standard deduction is also made permanent.
Personal Exemption
Under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 151, taxpayers were historically allowed to claim a personal exemption deduction for themselves, their spouse, and qualifying dependents. For tax years prior to 2018, this deduction reduced taxable income by a set amount
The OBBB permanently extends the tax rates and brackets enacted by the TCJA which will continue to save farmers income tax.
per eligible individual. The TCJA suspended the personal exemption through 2025. The OBBB repeals the personal exemption.
Child Tax Credit and Other Dependent Credit
The OBBB permanently creates a child tax credit of $2,200 (adjusted for inflation) (beginning in 2025) for qualifying children under 17. (Income phase-out thresholds - $200,000 for singles and $400,000 for married filing jointly). The OBBB also makes permanent the $1,700 refundable portion of the credit, adjusted for inflation.
The OBBB also makes permanent the $500 non-refundable credit for other dependents who do not qualify for the child tax credit, including those over the age of 16.
Estate and Gift Tax Exemption
The OBBB permanently increases the estate and gift tax exemption (basic exclusion or Unified Credit), beginning in 2026, to $15 million per person, indexed for inflation. In 2025 the exclusion remains $10 million per person.
Repayment Cap on Excess Advance Premium Tax Credit (PTC) Payments Eliminated
Under the OBBB, the repayment cap on excess advance PTC payments is eliminated –taxpayers will have to repay their excess advance PTC payments in their entirety. This is effective for 2025.
Extension and Enhancement of Deduction for Qualified Business Income
The 20% Qualified Business Income Deduction (QBID) for sole proprietors and passthrough businesses under I.R.C. § 199A is made permanent by the OBBB. This includes the I.R.C. § 199A(g) deduction for agricultural cooperatives and their patrons.
This new legislation includes a new minimum $400 deduction for taxpayers with at least $1,000 in “active” qualified business income. Both amounts will be adjusted annually for inflation.
Additional First Year (Bonus) Depreciation Changes
Bonus depreciation was reinstated to 100% and made permanent in the OBBB – be careful though as this is only for capital expenditures made after January 19, 2025. Purchases prior to January 19, 2025 are only eligible for a maximum of 40% bonus depreciation.
Section 179 Expense Enhancements
Section 179 expense was permanently increased to $2,500,000 and the phaseout threshold amount was increased to $4,000,000 for property placed in service year beginning after 2024 in the OBBB. These amounts will be indexed for inflation after 2025.
1099-MISC and 1099-NEC Requirements
The new law increases the payment threshold to $2,000 per payee to file 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC information returns, beginning with payments made in the 2026 tax year. The current threshold of $600 per payee remains in effect for the 2025 tax year. For years after December 31, 2025, this should reduce 1099 reporting compliance burden for some farmers.
Gain from the Sale or Exchange of Farmland Property to Qualified Farmers
The OBBB creates a new election for those selling farmland property to a qualified farmer (an individual who is actively engaged in farming). This election allows the seller to choose to pay their taxes on the gain in four equal installments. The election is available to individuals and other entities that have either farmed the property or leased it to a qualified farmer
for 10 years prior to the sale.
The seller can only make the election if the land is subject to a covenant or other legally enforceable restriction which prohibits the use of the property other than as a farm for farming purposes for 10 years after the date of the sale or exchange. A copy of the covenant must be filed with the first tax return.
This provision is effective for sales or exchanges occurring after the enactment of the OBBB.
No Tax on Overtime
OBBB created a provision whereby individuals can deduct up to $12.5k (or $25k for married filing jointly) of overtime pay. This begins phasing out by $100 for every $1,000 over $150,000 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for individuals ($300,000 for married filing jointly).
Similar to the no tax on tips, this is effective January 1, 2025 – this provision expires after years ending December 31, 2028.
W-2 forms will likely be amended to include this necessary reporting to enable amounts to be reported correctly.
This likely will not be applicable for agricultural employers that do not pay overtime wages.
Termination of Cost Recovery for Energy Property
OBBB no longer allows taxpayers to use five-year classification on this property (which reduces the upfront tax benefits of clean energy programs).
This provision applies to property for which construction begins after December 31, 2024.
Conclusion: The OBBB introduces complexity alongside opportunity. Proactive planning can help you take full advantage of the new law.
To better understand how the OBBB may impact your financial tax strategies, reach out to your tax accountant or CPA to discuss in detail. ◀
Tips for Tax Season
Wrapping Up the Year with Tax Efficiencies
Tax planning allows you to take steps to minimize your tax liabilities, ensuring all available allowances, deductions, exclusions, and exemptions are working together...
It’s that time of year to start thinking about finishing the year off right and making smart tax decisions — not only for this year, but decisions that will benefit you in the future as well. The years come and go, but for farmers, change is always certain.
Michigan and Wisconsin’s agricultural industries are extremely diverse. Depending on your industry, you may be experiencing an excellent year or a difficult one. While this advice may seem repetitive, it is always wise to evaluate your tax opportunities before year-end to maximize the benefits.
Tax planning allows you to take steps to minimize your tax liabilities, ensuring all available allowances, deductions, exclusions, and exemptions are working together in the most tax-efficient manner to reduce the total income tax paid to an amount you are anticipating. Most importantly, though — effective tax planning helps you avoid surprises come tax season.
Effective tax planning helps businesses to lower taxable income, reduce tax rates, provide for greater control of when taxes get paid, and maximize deductions and credits whenever possible. It can also help you manage your taxable income at a consistent level each year.
You need to be transparent with your tax accountant throughout the process. Having an accurate set of financial records is critical for a tax preparer to work with.
Do not wait until the last minute to get your records in order. Equally important, do not make financial decisions when your books are not up to date. Buying the same amount of prepaids or making a capital expenditure because you had to last year may not be necessary because
you were already in a loss position this year.
Make sure you tell your tax preparer about all equipment purchases, especially if it was dealer or manufacturer financed. It may not show up in your bank accounts if no payment was made in the tax year.
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act
See the previous page for helpful changes in the OBBB.
Frequent Tax Planning Strategies
Look at the tax planning strategies below, and work with your tax and accounting specialist to see if they could benefit you.
Methods to decrease your taxable income:
• Farm income averaging: Averaging all or some of your farm income using rates from the three prior years.
• Common expenditures to reduce taxable income: Prepaying inputs and other allowed items, capital expenditures — utilization of aggressive bonus or section 179 depreciation methodologies (see note above about bonus being back in 2025), and retirement contributions. Depending on your entity structure, retirement plan contributions can be significant, especially for self-employed individuals via a simple or other qualified plan.
• Healthcare deductions: Creating an employee benefits deduction to allow for business deduction of these expenses.
• Selling under a deferred contract: You can sell grain before the end of the year but not receive payment until after the first of next year. You then have flexibility to
decide, after the fact, if you need additional income in the year that the crop was sold. Make sure you sell in several small contracts rather than one large contract to provide more flexibility for when to show income. Also, consider the risk of collection in your decision-making process.
• Charitable contributions: As a farmer, there is a taxadvantaged way to make charitable donations via the use of commodity inventory. Methods to increase taxable income:
• An election to capitalize repairs rather than expensing them can be adjusted annually. In a year of losses, this can be extremely effective to capitalize these amounts and save the deductions for future years.
• Maximize depreciation methods, including direct and bonus expenses. However, you should never depreciate your way out of standard deductions and exemptions.
• If a farm loss is inevitable, common ways to increase income include: IRA distributions, IRA to Roth IRA conversions, or sale of non-farm capital assets (i.e. stocks). An IRA to Roth IRA conversion generates taxable income on the tax return, but the future earnings are tax free. Any farm losses may be offset by the income generated from the rollover and no income taxes would be owed on the money rolled into the IRAs.
Does March 1 Seem More and More Difficult to File by Each Year?
Many farmers operate under the common misconception that all farm income tax returns are due by March 1 each year. While that is one of the deadlines, it does not have to be
the case for all farmers. The IRS allows farmers and fisherman to avoid paying income tax estimates during the year if the following criteria are met:
• 66.67% of your gross income for the current tax year or the prior tax year is from farming
• You file your tax return and pay all the tax due by March 1
In addition, if no income tax is due, the farm return is not due until the normal April 15 individual filing deadline.
Due to the nuances and rules involved, many times farmers simply say they want to file by the March 1 farm deadline, but there are reasons to consider other options.
Why not March 1?
Meeting a March 1 due date is becoming harder from a compliance standpoint. Many farmers receive 1099s from their cooperatives and other business activities such as rent, custom hire work, and other miscellaneous income, and are not receiving those until late in February.
Farmers who have outside passthrough entities with ownership for which they receive K-1s or have personal brokerage investments for which they receive a 1099 have the same challenges with not receiving the necessary documents until late February. The timing of receipt of this information creates a struggle to properly prepare the farmers’ tax returns by March 1.
What other options do farmers have?
Rather than being forced into the March 1 time crunch, farmers can make an estimated tax payment on January 15 and then have until April 15 to complete the return and make a payment due for any remaining tax.
The January 15 payment plan comes with two options for
Fall Tax Calendar
October
Individuals file a 2024 income tax return (Form 1040) if an automatic six-month extension was requested.
Corporations file a 2024 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120) if an automatic six-month extension was requested.
Non-farm employers file Form 941 for the third quarter to report wages paid, and social security, Medicare, and income tax withheld from wages, and compute employer matching social security payments.
Corporations deposit the fourth installment of estimated tax for 2025.
farmers. The IRS did farmers a favor by allowing them to pay by January 15 the lower of 100% of the prior year’s tax or 66.67% of the current year’s expected tax.
The options help accommodate the income volatility often experienced because of crop yields, commodity prices, and/or in recent years government aid. Paying at the lower of the prior or current year allows the farmer to hold onto more of their cash for as long as possible.
Making the January 15 estimated income tax payment can be extremely useful for a farmer, especially in years where taxable income will be higher than the previous year. It provides more time, until April 15, to file a correct individual income tax return that maximizes tax deductions. You receive 45 more days to see how the current year is going as well –
which can help with decisions on how aggressive you are in utilizing Section 179 and bonus depreciation methods. Consider making an estimated payment by January 15 this year!
Income tax planning provides immense value for your business operations. The more useful information you can provide your tax specialists, the better decisions you can make for your operation. The strategies listed within this article are commonly used; however, everyone’s financial situation and operation are unique.
Go into your tax planning sessions with the understanding that every detail is important. Ensure your records are current to make the best decisions, receive the most accurate advice, and maximize your tax opportunities! ◀
Keeping Students and Families Safe this School Year
BY MATTHEW COSGROVE, VP and Chief Information Security Officer
In 2024, consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud - a 25% increase over the prior year according to the Federal Trade Commission. What is especially concerning is the total number of fraud reports held steady, but the percentage of people who said they lost money jumped from 27% in 2023 to 38% in 2024. That means scammers are not just trying more often, they are succeeding more often. As families settle back into school routines and prepare for new technological gifts this holiday season, this matters. New online accounts, heavier use of devices, and the everyday rush of schoolyear routines create the perfect environment for cybercriminals to target parents and students alike.
Tech tip
Cybercriminals
exploit schools, targeting new online classroom logins, increased email traffic, public Wi-Fi usage, and distracted parents.
Why Students and Families Are Targets
Cybercriminals exploit schools, targeting new online classroom logins, increased email traffic, public Wi-Fi usage, and distracted parents. Kids and teens often lack the caution adults might show when handling suspicious messages, while parents may rush through digital tasks without a second thought.
Here’s how those gaps often get exploited in real life: Picture this: A high school student receives a text message that looks like it is from the school district’s IT department. It says her account will be locked unless she clicks a link and “verifies” her login. She clicks, types her password, and suddenly her email is compromised. Later, the same attackers send messages to parents requesting online payments for “class materials.”
It might sound far-fetched, but scams like this occur every school year, one careless click can quickly draw in both students and parents.
Four Key Threats to Watch This Fall
1. Phishing Emails and Texts: Phishing emails and texts may disguise themselves as school schedules, activity sign-ups, or messages from teachers, often
containing malicious links. Scammers rely on urgency“sign up now,” “last chance,” or “account suspended.”
What You Can Do: Teach kids (and remind yourself) to pause before clicking on links in emails or text messages. Hover over links to preview where they lead and never download unexpected attachments.
2. Public Wi-Fi Risks: Free Wi-Fi in cafes and libraries often lack encryption, making it easy for cybercriminals to intercept login credentials and personal information.
What You Can Do: Stick to cellular data for sensitive tasks. At minimum, avoid logging into financial accounts on public Wi-Fi.
3. Device Theft and Loss: Devices like backpacks, phones, and laptops are often misplaced or stolen, providing criminals with access to personal and financial data.
What You Can Do: Enable device tracking features like Find My iPhone or Find My Device so a misplaced phone or laptop can be located quickly. Make sure every device is locked with a strong passcode, fingerprint, or face recognition to keep information safe if it falls into the wrong hands. For younger kids, set parental restrictions to limit access to sensitive apps or
accounts. Even placing a tracker like an Apple AirTag or Tile in your child’s backpack or laptop case can help you quickly recover lost items.
4. Social Media Oversharing: Posting school photos with grade levels, names, or school signs can give scammers information to guess security questions or impersonate students.
What You Can Do: Keep your posts general - share the moment, not the personal details that reveal names, grades, or school locations. Encourage teens to set their social media accounts to “private” so only approved friends can see what they post and review those privacy settings together at least once a year. Remind them to think twice before posting anything that could give away too much information, and to only accept friend requests from people they actually know.
Building Strong Habits at Home
• Talk About Cybersecurity: Discuss safe online behavior with kids, just as you would remind them to look both ways before crossing the street. For example: “If you don’t recognize the number, don’t answer” or “If a link looks weird, show it to me before clicking.”
• Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Adding MFA to school portals, email accounts, and financial apps makes it much harder for attackers to break in, even if they have stolen a password. It is one of the simplest, most effective defenses available.
• Keep Software Updated: Updates for school-issued Chromebooks or family iPads often patch critical security holes that hackers exploit. Enable automatic updates so you do not have to think about it.
• Back Up Important Work: Important work like homework, projects, and family photos should not be stored on just one device. Use cloud storage or an external hard drive so if a laptop is lost or infected with ransomware, files are not gone forever.
Key Takeaways for Families
• Pause before you click: Teach kids to slow down and double-check.
• Protect devices like valuables: Enable tracking and use strong locks.
• Keep personal details off public posts: Share the moment, not the data.
• Use MFA everywhere possible: It’s quick and effective.
• Stay updated and backed up: Automatic updates and backups reduce long-term risk.
Cybersecurity does not need to be overwhelming. Just as we teach students to study, stay organized, and manage their time, we can also teach them how to protect themselves online. These are life skills every bit as important as math or reading and ones that will carry far beyond the school year.
GreenStone’s Commitment to Your Security
At GreenStone, protecting your financial and personal information is one of our top priorities.
If you ever receive a suspicious message claiming to be from GreenStone—whether by phone, email, or QR code—do not respond. Instead, contact your local branch directly or call us at 800-444-3276. Never use contact information provided in an unsolicited message. ◀