3 CEO Comments. President and CEO, Dave Armstrong, shares some of the results of GreenStone’s 2017 annual Customer Satisfaction Survey. 9 Guest Column. Alan Hahn shares an update on regulations affecting agriculture, as well as an observation on a potential external influencing factor. 11 Market Outlook. We are now in a time period where harvest pressure will keep a lid on prices, but concerns about lower yields may actually be confirmed.
33 Health and Wellness. It is only a few months into the school year, and if you are beginning to dread packing school lunches—or your children dread eating them—it might be time to switch to some more enticing options.
Publisher’s Note:
36 Dairy Industry Outlook.
Results: Dave digs into GreenStone’s recent Customer Satisfaction Survey in his CEO Comments; GreenStone’s team of appraisers outline real estate trends found through our recent benchmarking analysis; and your directors’ share the depths of which they plow as an Audit Committee.
The recent announcement from the USDA notified dairy producers currently enrolled in the margin protection program (MPP) they now have the option to enroll or opt out of the MPP for 2018.
14 Blog Brief
While it’s harvest time for many of you, it’s planning time for us at GreenStone. Like you do for your business, we look at our recent historical results, input needs for both the team and the products offered, and the means by which we will plant and fertilize growth in 2018 and beyond. Looking over the next 42 pages here in Partners, you’ll see we’ve captured these same things here for you.
Inputs: The fall Market Outlook gives guidance for the upcoming months; fertilize your life through a few tips to Be Grateful each day; and realize the copious options we employ working with our members during these more economically challenging times through The GreenStone Story.
19 Outreach. To fulfill our Farm Credit mission of sustaining the rural communities we serve, GreenStone’s outreach and engagement involvement will target four focus areas.
15 Member News
23 PAC Progress. Throughout the course of the year, action has been taken through the PACs to disburse funds.
22 Calendar of Events
Planting: Success starts with the people, including the interns who grow with us as showcased in the biannual Careers article; Crop Insurance helps protect your results, and knowing your options is essential; and supporting rural communities and agriculture is our mission, nourishing the seeds to help them grow and thrive is not only our commitment, but also our invitation to you—submit your vote on how we can further strengthen our Outreach and Engagement efforts.
31 Commodity Cuisine... Grill-Roasted Apple and Pumpkin Bisque
The most exciting times come when you reap the rewards of the cooperative efforts. We hope this issue of Partners, like all those before and yet to come, provide you value in your own lives and businesses, as well as with your GreenStone partnership. Have a grateful, fruitful fall!
32 Being Grateful
— Melissa
24 Legislative Matters. The first choice often is whether to put yourself in the room, and if so, what role do you want to play. 27 Directors’ Perspective. After focusing on the Executive Committee and the Compensation Committee in the spring and the Legislative and Public Policy Committee this summer, this fall you will hear from the directors on the Audit Committee.
18 Pause for Applause 18 Candid Comments 21 Behind the Scenes
32 Blog Brief This newsletter is published quarterly for the customers of GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
34 Crop Insurance News 35 Crop Insurance Calendar
Editorial Mackenzie Jandernoa Laura Moser Melissa Rogers
Art & Design William Eva Jackie Sanch
40 Tax Calendar 41 Interns 42 Tech Tip
Partners GreenStone Farm Credit Services 3515 West Road East Lansing, MI 48823 800-444-3276 marketing@greenstonefcs.com