Leader: Growing Up Ag

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Farm Credit

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leader Lending support to rural America速

Information about our 2015 Annual Meetings is inside!

volume 20 | ISSUE 1 | $3.95

Growing up Ag

s In This Issue MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA

FARM AND LAND

J. Robert Frazee, CEO MidAtlantic Farm Credit Board of Directors M. Wayne Lambertson Chairman Paul Baumgardner Vice Chairman

4 Continuing to Give Back 6 Born into a Farming Legacy Former 4-H’er Jim Younker, of Fleetwood, Chris Price was born to be a farmer, Pennsylvania, continues to work with local dairy clubs and 4-H students today.

starting at an early age on his family’s farm in Cecil County, Maryland as a member of 4-H.

Deborah A. Benner Brian L. Boyd Gary L. Grossnickle Dale R. Hershey Walter C. Hopkins Anthony M. Ill T. Jeffery Jennings Fred R. Moore Dale J. Ockels Jennifer L. Rhodes Ralph L. Robertson, Jr. Alan N. Siegfried Douglas D. Scott Joseph D. Snapp Fred N. West

facebook.com/midatlanticfarmcredit @midatfarmcredit mafc.com/blog

8 Six Generations of Farmers The McDonald family of Frederick

County, Virginia has deep farming roots, with success due in part to 4-H and FFA experiences.

10 Charmayne Passion for Ag Busker of Harrington, Delaware

fell in love with dairy cows at a young age and that passion has fueled her continued involvement with youth ag programs.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit MidAtlanticFarmCredit @midatfarmcredit

OUR ASSOCIATION

12 2015 Annual Meeting 13 Leader Contest Winner SOCIAL

14 #FelfieFriday 15 Talkin’ Shop COMMUNITY

16 Properties for Sale 19 What to Expect When You Apply for a Mortgage

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questions or ideas If you have any questions or ideas for the editorial staff of the Leader, contact Jenny Kreisher at 888.339.3334, e-mail her at jkreisher@mafc.com or write her at MidAtlantic Farm Credit | 700 Corporate Center Court | Suite L | Westminster, MD 21157.

This publication is for you, our reader. We’d love to hear from you!

The Leader is published quarterly for stockholders, friends and business associates. If you wish to no longer receive this publication, please email: unsubscribe@mafc.com. Use “Unsubscribe Leader” in the subject.

The Farm Credit Administration does not require the association to distribute its quarterly financial reports to shareholders. However, copies of its complete report are available upon request or see quarterly updates online at mafc.com. The shareholders’ investment in the association is materially affected by the financial condition and results of operations of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank and copies of its quarterly financial report are available upon request by writing: Susanne Caughman | AgFirst Farm Credit Bank | P.O. Box 1499 | Columbia, SC 29202-1499 Address changes, questions or requests for the association’s quarterly financial report should be directed to: MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA by calling 800.333.7950 or writing: MidAtlantic Farm Credit | 45 Aileron Court | Westminster, MD 21157

s president’s message

Growing up Ag

s events | deadlines

It’s cold and windy as I write this month’s letter, but by the time you get this it should be spring. (How’s that for positive thinking?)

Spring can mean a lot of things to farmers, but to farm kids it oftentimes means picking an animal for the fair—and then grooming and teaching that animal to be blue-ribbon ready by the summer.

If you’ve read this column for any length of time, you know that my love of youth ag programs comes first-hand for me—and if you haven’t heard that before, you can see the proof of that in the photo below! (Don’t see me? I’m in the second row from the top, right on the end).

MAR event place

6-7 Maryland Cattlemen’s Convention Hagerstown, MD 8 Daylight savings time begins 9-10 Governor’s Conference on Ag Trade: VA and the Global Market Richmond, VA 13-15 Eastern Panhandle Homebuilder’s Association Homeshow Shepherdstown, WV 16 Sales closing for corn, soybeans, and other spring crops 20 First day of spring 21-22 Frederick County Homeshow Frederick, MD APR event place

5 Easter 7 Annual Meeting Salisbury, MD 8 Annual Meeting Dover, DE 9 Annual Meeting New Holland, PA 14 Annual Meeting Walkersville, MD 15 Annual Meeting Winchester, VA 15 Tax Day

MAY event place

25 Memorial Day Offices Closed

As an alumni of an ag youth program, I’m in pretty good company, as you’ll see in this issue. We’re highlighting some great former 4-H’ers and FFA’ers! I think you’ll enjoy seeing how their participation in programs when they were kids helped them learn valuable management lessons, speaking skills, and, in one instance, it helped them find a spouse!

Finally, if you check your calendar, you’ll see we’re just a few weeks away from our annual stockholder meetings. You can see all the details on page 12—I hope you’ll come out and say hello at the meeting closest to you. When you do, please share with me your favorite memories from your 4-H or FFA days.

Hope to see you then!

For a full list of events, please visit mafc.com

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FARM AND LAND

Giving back after gaining a career

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Although Andy works off the farm, he spends a significant amount of time with the cowherd. Here, he pushes feed to cows prior to milking.

The Younker family focuses on outstanding cow families to maintain a quality herd that performs in both the show ring and in the barn.

From left: Jim with Kirbyville Goldwyn Sasha, Joel with Royal Haven Atwood Ladybug and Andy with Milk & Honey Minister Shirley.

Jim (on left) and Farm Credit loan officer Jarod Fisher take time to discuss issues in the dairy industry.

| Jim Younker’s first registered Holstein calf was as white as snow, and he was determined to keep her that way. Each morning, before leaving for school, Jim washed and dried the heifer calf to keep her ready for the show ring.

story and photos by Sally Colby

“Her name was Ro-Ru Carlo Twinkie, and she was a Kanzabrook Matt Carlo daughter,” says Jim. “We got her from a friend who helped me during my first years in 4-H. Everyone gave me a hard time about maintaining the coat on a white calf, but I didn’t want her to get stained.”

Jim soon learned what other showmen already knew—that there were products he could use to keep that coat white. But as Jim mastered the fine art of selecting, fitting and showing dairy cattle, he also learned that good dairy cattle don’t come out of a bottle or a can—they’re the result of careful selection and breeding.

Although Jim didn’t join 4-H until he was 12, he immediately took a liking to dairy judging. “That’s what gave me the focus and interest in cows,” he says.

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“Even though we didn’t have registered cows at home, friends I met when I was in 4-H had all done dairy judging and did extremely well.”

Jim had an opportunity to show and evaluate many fine dairy cattle as he came up through 4-H, and credits his mentors for teaching him how to think about and analyze cows. Even when Jim and his coach disagreed on class placings, Jim was developing an eye for high quality dairy cattle.

After a brief stint working in construction, Jim learned how to breed cows and worked as an artificial insemination technician. He says that visiting other dairies helped him to develop ideas about what he wanted for his own farm.

Jim didn’t marry a farm girl, but his wife Sue was willing to learn about farming and supported Jim’s passion.

The couple purchased their farm in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania in 1994, but didn’t start dairy farming immediately.

Although Jim had a small herd of registered Holsteins, he needed more cows for a solid footing in the dairy business.

In early 1995, Jim purchased a herd of cows; a herd that wasn’t exactly what he had in mind. But 20 years later, he says it’s the best bunch of cows he ever bought.

“He had heard I had bought a farm and wanted to sell his cows,” Jim says, explaining how a nearby dairyman was retiring and needed to sell his herd. “I had looked at some herds of cows that were a lot nicer, but they would’ve cost a lot more money. It was the furthest thing from my mind to buy those cows, but my dad told me I couldn’t go wrong at the price.”

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Andy, Joel, Sue and Jim have worked hard to make Kirbyville Holsteins a success, and continue to commit themselves to helping young 4-H’ers interested in learning about the dairy industry.

The 60-head starter herd came with a bull that Jim had sold the farmer.

After changing the feed ration, making some culling decisions and breeding up to good bulls, the herd was on its way to becoming both productive and profitable. Jim added registered Holsteins over time, and today, Kirbyville Holsteins is home to about 200 registered dairy cattle.

“That initial group that I didn’t have a lot of money in are the cows that helped me get started,” says Jim. “It was a way for me to get into the business without spending a lot, and I could see the potential in them.”

Quite a few cattle in the Younkers’ barn have garnered numerous titles from prestigious shows. But they’re also working girls. “They can’t all be show cows,” says Jim, as he talked about the herd he has today. “I look mostly for type. We’re focused on the Starburst family now.”

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The Younkers work together to raise quality heifer calves for the Kirbyville herd. Sue manages the calves, and carefully monitors the health and development of each one.

The Younkers’ two sons have grown up in 4-H and have had the opportunity to show some exceptional dairy cattle over the years. Andy, who is 20, and Joel, who is 16, have excelled in breed classes with their own registered Holsteins and Brown Swiss, and also in showmanship. Jim works with Berks County dairy club members to help them learn the fine points of judging, and ultimately, how to select quality dairy cattle.

Jim has been coaching the 4-H livestock judging team since he aged out of 4-H, and he and Sue have served as club leaders for one of Berks County’s dairy clubs for the past ten years.

“Things have changed, but the basics are the same,” says Jim. “In the last two years, Berks County 4-H’ers have gone on to compete in state, national and even international competitions.”

When he’s working with 4-H’ers, Jim is quick to point out that showing

dairy cattle doesn’t start the day of the fair. “It’s a year-long process,” he says.

“We’re working today with animals that we’re going to show in July and August. And it isn’t just working with the animal—it’s feeding them properly and getting them in the right condition.”

The Younkers farm 85 tillable acres on their home farm in addition to rented acreage where they grow ryelage, corn silage and grain corn for a total mixed ration.

Farm Credit recently helped finance two additional pieces of property close to the home farm, which are now set up to raise bulls. “We market a lot of bulls,” says Jim. “But the only ones I’ll raise are out of our best cows.” l

facebook.com/ KirbyvilleHolsteins

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FARM AND LAND

Born to farm: Chris Price carries on his family’s legacy | Growing up, Chris Price wasn’t like most 10-year-olds. Even at that young age, he took farming seriously. He had a drove of 100 pigs that he bred and raised himself. “Every day after school, I was outside taking care of my pigs, no matter what the weather was like,” he remembers. “When I wasn’t doing that, I rode around with my grandfather and father, helping with other chores on the family beef cow operation. I always wanted to farm. I never even considered doing something else with my life.”

story and photos by susan walker

own livestock operation,” he explains.

“You have to keep a record of all the feed you use raising your animals, how many pounds they gain, how much you spend on feed and how much you get for the livestock at auction. It taught me many of the financial and production management skills I still use now. It also helped me build leadership and networking skills starting at a young age.”

Throughout his youth, Chris continued to raise hogs, but he sold them when he went to Delaware Valley College, where he graduated in 2004 with a degree in agribusiness. After college, Chris was busier than ever. He not only worked on the family farm, but he also worked part-time at a local

nutrient management consulting firm and worked as a caretaker at Mt. Harmon Plantation, a nearby historical site.

One of his fellow co-workers at the consulting firm suggested that Chris apply for the LEAD Maryland program.

He was accepted into the competitive two-year fellowship program, which is designed to enhance the skills of young leaders in the agriculture and natural resources communities. Farm Credit loan officer Bruce Yerkes, who has worked with the Price family for two generations, explains, “LEAD brings out the leadership qualities that are already there and expands on them. It helps build the next generation of leaders in the state’s agricultural community.”

Chris Price says he learned most of what Farm and Land he knows about farming from his late grandfather, Russell L. Price.

Flashback February: Chris sold his drove of hogs, which he started raising before his teen years until the summer before he went to college.

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price family photo

In addition to the hands-on learning Chris did on the family’s farm, he also learned a wide range of skills as a member of the 4-H chapter near his home in Earleville, Maryland in Cecil County. Both his father and aunt had been members of the organization growing up, and his grandfather was a big supporter of 4-H, donating half a side of beef each year to be auctioned off to help the chapter raise money.

Chris joined 4-H when he was 11 and remained an active member throughout high school. During his time in 4-H, he raised and brought to auction pigs, steers and lambs. “What you do in 4-H is really a smaller-scale version of what you do when you have your

The program includes eight classes and international travel to visit other agricultural and natural resource operations around the world. Chris had the opportunity to travel to Finland, Estonia and Russia during his time in the program.

“LEAD also gave me the chance to make connections throughout the state,” Chris adds. “And it helped me get more comfortable with public speaking, a skill I’m using more and more as chair of Maryland State Young Farmers. I think that being involved in Farm Bureau gives me valuable perspective. You’re not just focusing on your own point of view. You’re taking the broader farming community’s view and coming together so you have a stronger voice and can advocate for all farmers on important issues like land use and nutrient management.”

The practical and leadership skills that Chris started building as a young man in 4-H—and has continued to

build throughout the decades that followed—have helped him to run his own successful operation as part of his family’s 600-acre beef cow operation.

His family has 150 head of cattle plus 250 calves that he handles from breeding and raising to processing. Chris’s own operation has 200 acres of crops and 300 acres of hay.

“Chris is a careful financial manager as well as a hard-working farmer,” adds Bruce. “He was able to purchase a 90+ acre farm when he was only 28 years old because of that financial caution and foresight. I was glad we were able to help with that purchase through Farm Credit’s StartRight program, which gives young farmers a lower interest rate for the first five years of the loan so that they have a chance to get their operation off the ground.”

In 2011, Chris became the youngest recipient of the Cecil County Farm Bureau’s Operation of the Year Award.

“My grandfather, Russell Price, won the same award back in the 70s,” Chris explains. “He was the one who told me I’d won in 2011, and he passed away later that week. The award dinner was a very emotional experience for me.

Bill Cissell presented the award and his grandfather had given my grandfather the award in 1978. They gave me a framed copy of the speech that he gave at that banquet about my grandfather’s accomplishments. I still have that hanging on my wall at home.”

For Chris, staying involved in the Farm Bureau and Ruritan, and continuing to support his local 4-H chapter, are all part of a long family tradition. “I’m an active part of these organizations because, as a farmer, community is extremely important. The way to keep our community strong is to get involved and encourage others to do the same,” Chris says. l

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Flashback February: Seventeen-year-old Chris celebrates with Larry Wiggins , who purchased his animals from 4-H. Chris enjoyed raising and showing his animals at the 4-H auctions.

price family photo

Flashback February: The Price family has shown, bought and sold beef cattle in Cecil County for three generations.

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FARM AND LAND

Farming family says ag programs teach valuable skills | On a recent visit to Switzerland, where he served as a judge for an international Brown Swiss show, Jeremy McDonald and his family learned that the Swiss don’t typically eat sausage and bacon for breakfast. They consider meat part of a hearty breakfast reserved “for farmers.”

Story and photos by Star Traylor

“But, we are farmers,” Jeremy’s 10-year-old son Tyler pointed out.

Tyler is the sixth generation in Jeremy’s farming family. They own ShenVal Farm in Frederick County, Virginia. Tyler has been involved in 4-H for three years. His cow won the Junior Reserve Championship in the 2013 NAILE in Louisville, Kentucky.

Jeremy was nine years old when he became involved in 4-H. Even though his family had been farming for generations, being involved in the program gave Jeremy a chance to meet more people in local agriculture and it gave him opportunities to travel to other countries. It also helped him build confidence.

“I was always pretty quiet,” Jeremy said. “It got me to be a lot more outgoing

and used to speaking in front of people.”

His wife, Missy, had a similar experience in FFA starting in the seventh grade. Her family farmed part-time. She joined FFA, a program formed in 1928 to unite students, teachers and members of the agricultural community, in middle school. For Missy, one of the most valuable things she learned through FFA was how many different opportunities are available in agriculture.

“I showed livestock. That’s definitely always a good experience for young people,” Missy said. “The career development events allow kids to explore careers. You don’t realize it at the time because you’re 16, but you’re networking. The agricultural community in this area is very close-knit. You’re meeting

people that you’re going to be interacting with down the road.”

Going to international events with both FFA and 4-H allowed Jeremy and Missy to experience life, culture and agriculture beyond their own country’s borders.

“I’m very small-town and I flew on an airplane in the eighth grade. That’s something I never would have gotten the opportunity to do,” says Missy.

Another important aspect of 4-H and FFA is that the programs teach young people how to earn money through agriculture—a particular challenge in a field that depends not just on the constantly changing trends in supply and demand, but also on the unpredictable cycles of nature.

Jeremy feeds the cattle at his Frederick County, Virginia farm. New technology developments in agriculture have made it increasingly important for farmers to have flexibility with spending and purchasing. In order to have that flexibility, McDonald established a line of credit with Farm Credit.

Tyler, left, holds a plaque his father received for judging an international Brown Swiss show in Switzerland. Jeremy said 4-H taught him valuable skills and gave him the opportunity to travel.

Tyler is following in his footsteps and has been in 4-H for three years.

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facebook.com/shenval

The McDonalds run a 4,000-acre farm with 72 dairy cows and 300 head of beef cattle where they also grow corn and hay. Their orchards grow apples, peaches, plums, cherries, and apricots.

They sell the meat and fruit from their farm at a market in Frederick County and milk produced at ShenVal Farm is sold to a farmer-owned cooperative.

Doing business in the local community has changed some since Jeremy’s grandfather started the farm, and with developments in science and technology, it is more important than ever to be able to purchase new livestock or equipment when the opportunity is available. Such opportunities don’t always coincide with peaking profits, Jeremy explained.

That’s why the McDonalds established a line of credit with Farm Credit. “If the opportunity comes available to buy another piece of equipment or another

head of cattle, it may not always be when you have money, so you have to have some flexibility,” Jeremy said.

One of the ways the McDonalds have been able to improve their bottom line and the quality of their livestock is through flushing—invitro-fertilization that transfers the eggs of cows that produce large quantities of milk into those that produce much less.

While the average cow sells for $1,000 to $1,500, a very high-producing cow can sell for as much as $18,000, so breeding high-producing cows can increase a farm’s profits exponentially.

The McDonalds said the “buy fresh, buy local” movement has brought more customers into their market asking questions about how animals are raised and where their food comes from. It’s a good thing for farmers and customers alike because it means people are more

aware of the benefits of supporting local farmers, but it also means those who work in agriculture are accountable to customers in a face-to-face way, and sometimes they have to explain their practices. Jeremy said customers have asked what the McDonalds feed their cows. They also want to know if animals at the farm are given antibiotics.

While the farm-to-table trend seems to have elevated the importance of small family farms in local communities at home, Jeremy said he learned a long time ago because of international trips with 4-H how important farms and food are in other countries. In places like Peru, people don’t take agriculture for granted, Jeremy said.

“In other countries, farmers are very respected,” Jeremy said. “Sometimes here in the U.S., people take for granted the fact that they have food.” l

Tyler and Missy look over a project Tyler is working on for 4-H. Missy, who was a member of FFA during middle and high school, and until recently worked as a high school agriculture teacher, said participating in programs such as 4-H and FFA helps young people develop their speaking and networking skills.

The McDonald family—Missy, Tyler and Jeremy—represent two generations at ShenVal farm in Virginia. Jeremy, whose grandfather was born there, is the fifth generation of the family to run the farm.

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FARM AND LAND

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Flashback February: A 10-year-old Charmayne holds the blue ribbon and trophy she won with her heifer Ginger at her first-ever Farm and Land 4-H competition. Ginger’s daughter Amy was one of two cows who gave Charmayne’s Jenamy Farms, LLC its name.

Charmayne Busker displays a wall quilt given to her in recognition of her retirement from Farm Credit.

The quilt commemorates some of the high points of her life, including her involvement with 4-H.

Cows and 4-H: life-long loves for Charmayne Busker story and photos by nancy l. smith

| Charmayne Busker was just 10 years old when she won her first blue ribbon for a 4-H

Holstein calf. “I was a dairy farmer’s kid who grew up to be a dairy farmer’s wife, and now I am a dairy farmer’s mom,” she says proudly.

4-H has been part of Charmayne’s life since she brought that trophy home.

She credits 4-H with some life-long friends, and it wasn’t just kids her own age. “Every scholarship or anything you applied for—there was always a reference letter from an adult 4-H leader,” she recalls. “I didn’t just learn cows in 4-H; all the other responsibilities allowed you to become successful down the road.”

Among those skills, Charmayne counts “the wonderful leadership skills and philosophy of volunteering” to be the most valuable she learned. “The whole 4-H program is based on volunteer leaders facilitating leadership and citizenship activities for kids,” she explains.

Charmayne, who was on 4-H and Virginia Tech dairy judging teams, hosted 4-H judging contests on the farm with 10

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her late husband, Chuck. They also hosted fitting and showmanship workshops that later developed into a “cow camp” at the state fairgrounds that is “routinely attended by 40 to 50 4-H’ers, few being from dairy farms, who benefit from a variety of educational workshops,” Charmayne says.

“That annual overnight workshop is now supported by an endowment in the Delaware 4-H Foundation that was established in Chuck’s memory following his death in 2007,” she says. “In 2011, we had it here on the farm and used our own calves,” Charmayne says, noting some 40 4-H’ers and an equal number of volunteers were involved.

4-H was even instrumental in Charmayne’s marriage. “I was at the wash rack at the fairgrounds with one of my

heifers before another show when I was introduced to a boy who was washing one of his animals for the same show. I was 14, he was 17. Eight years later, I married that 4-H’er!” she says.

Charmayne is a board member of the Delaware 4-H Foundation and treasurer since 2001. “I work with a group of tremendous volunteers who oversee an endowment that now exceeds $1,000,000,” she says. The endowment “fills the void in state funding for kids to go to the National 4-H Congress and take part in other activities,” she explains.

She revels in her activities, stating “I’ve served as a chaperone on several out-of-state 4-H trips and as a judge for various county and state contests.

Nothing beats having a front row seat as you watch young people in 4-H present a

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Charmayne and Farm Credit loan officer Will Massey chat about young calves. In addition to raising heifers, the farm raises and markets about ten steers a year.

A four-day-old calf suckles on Charmayne’s fingers in search of a snack. Charmayne is responsible for the care of all calves on the farm.

great demonstration of something they have learned, serve you a dish they made that tastes terrific, or give a remarkable speech in the public speaking contest.

The only thing better is returning year after year to see these same young people improve their skills,” she enthuses.

Charmayne’s son, Philip, and daughter, Sara, like their mother, were active in 4-H. They also excelled in FFA, an activity that was not available in Charmayne’s high school. Both received American FFA degrees, one of the organization’s highest honors, awarded to less than one half of one percent of all FFA members. In addition, Sara served as a state officer for two years.

Charmayne’s Farm Credit roots run deep, too. When she was completing college, she interviewed with Farm Credit, but did not pursue the job opportunity because “I would have been the only woman at Farm Credit at that time, and

I couldn’t see my father working with a female loan officer.”

Some years later, Charmayne and Chuck applied for a loan to purchase their farm. The next day, a Farm Credit official offered her a job interview. Although she expected to be at Farm Credit only a few years, she loved the job and stayed for 30, beginning in Georgetown, Delaware and retiring as an area manager in the Denton, Maryland office. She had some customers for 30 years. “That’s just way too much fun,” she recalls.

In addition to her work and volunteer activities, Charmayne is an integral part of a farming enterprise that, with her son Philip, is now in its third generation. Jenamy Farms includes a 160 cow milking herd, 180 head of youngstock, five chicken houses, and about 400 acres of cropland. “I feel so fortunate to have spent my entire life living and working in a business I love,” she says.

“I don’t see us getting a lot larger,” Charmayne says, “but the herd will grow if we are doing a good job with genetics.

Those baby calves are the most valuable animals on the farm,” she says of the 80 to 85 heifer calves she raises annually.

“Looking forward, I fully expect Jenamy Farms to continue to grow.

We have expanded and diversifed our business thus far thanks to a great team of employees at Farm Credit. Thirty-five years ago, I would never have expected poultry to be a part of our business, but today it is. Growing successfully in the future will require a willingness to try new technology or enterprises.

We will need to partner with and fairly compensate employees who care about our business. Lastly, we need to bring a sharp pencil, or a charged smartphone, along to challenge ourselves to be better managers at every turn,” she says. l

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OUR ASSOCIATION

our speakers

Our roots go deep Each year, our annual meetings serve as a time for our customers, staff members and board of directors to gather and catch-up, while learning how our association fared over the past year. They also provide a way for us to keep you up-to-date on all that we have planned for the coming year. We hope you can join us as we come together to celebrate our deep roots and plan for another successful year!

registration

meeting agenda 6:15 Registration 6:45 Call to Order 7:00 Dinner 8:00 Business Meeting & Elections* 9:00 Guest speaker * You can find more details on our elections at mafc.com.

If you can’t make it to a meeting this year, you can follow the action live on social media with #MAFCAM. We’ll be sharing all the fun!

With patronage distributions in both February and March of this year, we will be distributing approximately $25 million in cash to our member-borrowers!

There are two ways you can register for our annual meetings: • Visit mafc.com and complete the online registration form.

• Complete the RSVP postcard in your annual meeting information statement, which you will be receiving in early March.

2015 annual meetings dates April 7.......................... Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Salisbury, MD April 8 ...................................... Modern Maturity Center

Dover, DE April 9 .................................................. Yoder’s Restaurant

New Holland, PA April 14 ........................................... Walkersville Fire Hall

Walkersville, MD April 15 ......... The Banquet Hall at Millwood Station

Winchester, VA

Karen Mills (speaking April 7, 8 and 9): Karen uses her humor at corporate functions or other gatherings to motivate and teach guests that all challenges can be faced with laughter. As a comedian, she can be found touring across the country. Karen is also a former college athlete, having led University of TennesseeChattantooga’s women’s basketball team to victory.

Ron Culberson (speaking April14 and 15): As an awardwinning speaker, humorist, and author of Is Your Glass Half Full? and My Kneecap Seems Too Loose, Ron’s mission is to help both staff and managers achieve success with the motto “Do it Well, Make it Fun.” Ron also founded Funner Speeches, LLC in 2009, a humor writing service for speakers.

We’re “root”ing for you to win this amazing grand prize!

Need a little extra help around your farm? We are giving away a John Deere Gator as the grand prize during our 2015 annual stockholder meetings!

One lucky winner will be awarded a brand new Gator XUV 550 Crossover Utility Vehicle. This model has a powerful V-twin engine, independent four-wheel suspension, and the availability of over

75 attachments (not included). It’s not only functional, but it also has an eye-catching Farm Credit design!

You can be entered to win by attending one of our annual meetings and completing an entry form. After the five meetings

are over, we will choose a winner. If it’s you, we’ll contact you directly.

We will also post the winner’s name on social media (using #MAFCAM).

Please be sure to read the following legalese below or go to mafc. com for the complete rules. Good Luck!

No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes only open to invited stockholders and approved guests who are legal U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age, who are in attendance at one of the venues of the 2015 annual stockholder meetings. A copy of the full official rules of this promotion will be available at each meeting venue. Approximate retail value of the prize is $8,900; however, the winner may accept a $2,000 cash alternative. Drawing for the grand prize will be held on or about April 25, 2015, under the supervision of an independent sweepstakes administrator. Void where prohibited.

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And the winner is…

In our last issue, we held a contest for veterans to win a gardening prize pack. Melissa Ridgley Covolesky of Fort Meade, Maryland, a member of the United States Army, shared her touching story with us of how gardening helped her get through her time in Afghanistan.

Thanks again for sharing this with us, Melissa, and thank you for your service!

“Hello. I just read the MAFC Veterans edition newsletter—love it.

I wanted to share some pictures of my recent time in Afghanistan. I was stationed in the capital city, Kabul, and was very depressed at how brown, dingy and dull the country is, so I had my husband send me some soil and seeds.

I loved the grass seed the best, since I could cut it and get my most favorite

smell in the world. The flower bulbs, however, kept getting stolen. So, my husband then sent me a solar flower. We weren’t allowed to grow any vegetables while we were there because of the poor water

and pollution, but everyone came to visit my grass plot!

Attached is a picture my dad sent me of his prized tomato plants while I was deployed. He was the best tomato grower in the state! I was overjoyed when he and my husband figured out a way to safely send me a few jars of homecanned tomato juice! The last picture is of me with the winning volleyball team at the girl’s school we sponsored in AFG; not quite standard athletic attire.

I’d love to be considered for the gardening prize pack and be able to taste the fruits of my labor.

Having my hands in good soil is good for the soul.”

Thank you,

Melissa Ridgley Covolesky

PHOTO CONTEST: Be a part of the 2016 Farm Credit Calendar!

Are you surrounded by beautiful landscapes? Do you pass a pretty pasture on your way home from work? Is there an agriculture event coming up in your area? Take a picture and submit it to MAFC for a chance to be featured in our 2016 calendar!

If you don’t make it into the calendar, don’t worry! We may feature your picture in an upcoming issue of the Leader, our annual report, or on Facebook.

Contest rules and the submission form can be found at mafc.com/photo-contest.php. The deadline to send in your photos is August 16th. We can’t wait to see your photos!

VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 1 | mafc.com | 13

SOCIAL

Show us your #felfie We’re taking selfies to a whole new level!

Each Friday, while you’re working in the field, tending to your animals or just taking a walk in the beautiful countryside, snap a selfie and upload it to your social media accounts using #felfiefriday. You’ll be highlighting agriculture and you’ll have a chance to be featured in the next issue of the Leader or on MAFC’s Facebook page.

@colleenbernier

@jennideere 14

| VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 1 | mafc.com

@semler14

@andreaandever_moore

Golden Gate Farms

AgVenture Feed and Seed

@letsgetsomechickens All photos taken from social media channels.

We asked our social media followers some questions about 4-H and FFA. See what they had to say below!

Don’t see your answer? Not to worry!

We’ll be asking more questions soon, so watch for your chance to be featured in our next issue!

Talkin’ Shop

MidAtFarmCredit @MidAtFarmCredit

MidAtFarmCredit @MidAtFarmCredit

What is the most important skill you obtained from FFA or 4-H? Public speaking! I would not be as confident speaking as I am today without FFA.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Charlie Moore

What did FFA or 4-H teach you about the ag industry?

A hairdresser.

Bonnie Scott, Delmar, Delaware

Emily Wells (@emily_carina), West Virginia

How can you pick just one?

Leadership, drive for success, out of the box thinking...all skills that I have taken with me in life, especially with serving in the Air National Guard while continuing to farm.

MidAtFarmCredit @MidAtFarmCredit

A professional athlete, because what little boy didn’t want to live out his dream of being Michael Jordan?

Adam Kreisher Taneytown, Maryland

I wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved animals and wanted to be around them all the time.

My formative years growing up on a dairy farm were shaped by 4-H and FFA. The values which the programs bring to youth are irreplaceable and have carried through to my current job in science. As a farmer, a scientist, and now a parent of a young 4-H’er, I can only hope my child finds all the wonderful opportunities that I had growing up.

Mary Ellen, Thurmont, Maryland

That there's much more to it than tractors and combines.

Matt Baxter (@emaw_88_ffa)

Meaghan Malinowski Bel Air, Maryland

Both @nationalffa and @4H taught me incredible life and leadership skills that have helped tremendously in all aspects of life.

Taylor Hicks (@taylornichelle1), Indiana

Enter to Win! Are you a member of FFA or 4-H? Send in your photos of you with your favorite animal, in the show ring, or working in the barn to jkreisher@mafc.com

by March 31 to be entered to win a “Keep Calm and Get Your Boots Dirty” t-shirt! Your photo could be shared on social media or in our next Leader issue.

Good luck!

VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 1 | mafc.com | 15

COMMUNITY

Harrington, Delaware

Newark, Delaware 48 +/- acres located just west of Newark and Glasgow and North of Route 40. Fully wooded with trees and rolling topography. This is an opportunity to own a rarely available large piece of ground in this New Castle County location. There are recorded restrictions against development. $455,000.

Contact Wes Cromer, Masten Realty, LLC., 302.448.1032.

Emmitsburg, Maryland Ready to build! Seven lots, ranging from nine to 26 acres on Creamery Road and Keysville Road.

All have wells between 12 and 30 gallons per minute. Panoramic views of the Catoctin Mountains.

One mile from Route 15. $125,000-$285,000.

Prime Kent County farm located at 3217 Gun & Rod Club Road (at the corner of Hunting Quarter Road) in Harrington. There are 91 tillable acres plus 54 acres of Oak, Gum and Maple trees. With a healthy population of deer, this is an excellent property for hunting. $810,000.

Contact Lettie Golden, Bach & Associates, 301.695.9600.

Contact Chad Emerson, Emerson, 302.339.1885.

Keysville, Maryland

All brick, one level rancher with 2,665 square feet, built in 2003. Four bedrooms, two and a half baths, open country kitchen, and huge game room. 3.29 tillable acres with two metal barns; Morton barn 64’ x 42’ x 25’ and the other is 40’ x 42’. Store equipment, set up a workshop, or rent out for storage. Bring your animals to your farmette. $415,000.

Contact Maria Kolick, Re/Max Realty Centre, Inc., 301.529.5025.

Monkton, Maryland

Five bedroom colonial on nine acres on My Lady’s Manor. Completely remodeled, gourmet kitchen, finished basement, and bonus room for office or bedroom, heated pool and heated garage. Would make perfect horse property. Hereford schools. Minutes to I-83 and Hunt Valley. $849,000.

Contact Frank Durkee, O’Conor and Mooney, 410.409.5067.

North East, Maryland

149.6 acre farm. Frame farmhouse currently leased. Farm is in Ag Preservation, but can be subdivided by the road and allows for additional dwelling for new tract created.

2% in previous surface coverage permitted. $1,200,000.

Contact Christ W. Taylor, Beiler-Campbell Realtors, 717.786.8000.

Need financing for any of these properties?

Call your local Farm Credit office.

All of the properties listed on these pages are offered for sale by local, licensed Realtors and Auctioneers.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is not affiliated with these properties, nor are we responsible for content or typographical errors. Please call the Realtor or Auctioneer listed for more information.

16

| volume 20 | issue 1 | mafc.com

Taneytown, Maryland

Serene, private, wooded, waterfront paradise.

One-of-a-kind property on Kent Island. Sixtyfive acres perfect for the sportsman. Plenty of deer and waterfowl. Waterfront on Tanners Creek. Marinas and golf just five minutes away. Great for the hunter or the true nature lover. Installed 1,500 feet drive, perc approved. $599,900.

48 acre farmette just over Dover Bridge on Frazier Neck Road. Consisting of three parcels: one 6.25 acres, one 27.55 acres with existing house and a few chicken houses, and a 14.31 acre parcel that has a bit of waterfront on Skillington’s Creek. Total acreage is 48.11. Great location, within minutes to Easton. $419,900.

Lovely Historic four-five bedroom stone colonial overlooking your own large Koi pond with footbridge on the most picturesque 19 acres in Carroll County. This stone home has a sunny spacious solarium, a large country kitchen, patio, front porch and upper balcony.

Has a workshop, stable and gazebo. A must see! $420,000.

Contact Bryan Wieland, Benson and Mangold, 410.829.5913.

Contact Jonathan Olsavsky, Coldwell Banker Waterman Realty, 410.490.0369.

Contact Karen Carroll, Haines Realty, 410.375.8898.

Union Bridge, Maryland

Westminster, Maryland

Beautiful 1.31 acre horse farm, not located in Ag Preservation. Two homes on the property. Custom-built 4,000+ square foot main house, built in 2007, ADA accessible with elevator. Second home is 2,000 square feet, two-story colonial with three bedrooms, two baths, bank barn with ten box stalls, five tie stalls, stable barn with six 12’ x 15’ stalls with rear run-in.

45 fenced acres and 60 -65 acres of crop land. $2,200,000.

Carroll County, 164 acres, brick colonial residence. Located four miles south of Westminster. Not in farmland preservation. $1,650,000.

Contact Garry Haines, Haines Realty, 410.876.1616.

Contact Larry Haines, Haines Realty, 410.876.1616.

Sykesville, Maryland

Properties for sale

Stevensville, Maryland

Preston, Maryland

Westminster, Maryland

Beautiful, rolling farm land with great potential. 85 acres with 52 acres of agriculture land and 33 acres of conservation land. Located at Rt. 97 and Obrecht Road in beautiful Carroll County. Many possibilities for development with a few lots or many other uses allowed by the county. $999,900.

Contact Eddie Keel, Re/max Advantage Realty, 443.812.2156.

Vienna, Maryland Renovated building in downtown Vienna.

On the corner EQUAL HOUSING EQUAL HOUSING ofOPPORTUNITY the gateway to thousands OPPORTUNITY of acres of public hunting grounds and summer cycling tours. Commercial zoning could have you operating a seafood market, coffee shop, kayak and cycling store, or REALTOR manyOPPORTUNITY other creative uses. One-third acre lot. $110,000.

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Contact Tim Miller, Benson and Mangold, 410.310.3553.

Spectacular one-of-a-kind rural estate in upcoming Morgan Brook Farm.

48+ acre site offers privacy, forested boundaries, balanced with open rolling fields and a home site resting on a raised knoll. Central location. Access to rural counties, Washington, DC and Baltimore. $599,900.

Contact Shari Arciaga, The McIntyre Team of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 410.480.3555.

volume 20 | issue 1 | mafc.com | 17 EQUAL HOUSING

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COMMUNITY

Worton, Maryland

Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

Eastern Shore waterfront farm. Handsome tidewater Colonial home, circa 1850. Offers original detail and includes first floor guest suite with kitchen. The 81-acre property offers a pastoral setting with water views of Still Pond Creek, 59 tillable acres, barn and sheds. Just one and a half hours from Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. $1,150,000.

Contact Richard Budden, Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate, 443.480.1181.

Classic farmhouse on 30 private, wooded acres loaded with updates and modern amenities. Four bedrooms, three baths, and 3,336 square feet of living space. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Wide-plank hardwood floors, exposed beams, built-in shelves and cabinetry, wood-burning stove, pond, and workshop. $674,900.

Contact Lisa Tiger, Century 21 Gold, 610.779.2500 or 610.207.6186.

Christiana, Pennsylvania

Gap, Pennsylvania

Orefield, Pennsylvania

Private 15 acre farmette! Offers five bedrooms, two full baths, fenced in pasture. Mostly wooded. Large 40’ x 30’ horse barn with horse stalls, 12’ x 26’ storage shed and additional workshop. Secluded setting with the possibility of having additional cleared large open area.

Good hunting. $548,000.

Check out this rare opportunity to own a nine acre property with approximately seven acres of tillable land in Gap. It has a beautiful five bedroom ranch home with a full finished walkout basement with a kitchen, bath, and two bedrooms. Property also includes a large bank barn, tennis court, and much more. $599,000.

Contact Greg Hostetter, Hostetter Realty, 717.354.6416.

Contact Philip Nissley, Hostetter Realty, 717.278.8391 or 717.354.6416.

This fascinating facility, formerly a show barn, holds 25 stalls and an indoor arena. Property includes three bedroom farmhouse with studio renovated in 2007, luxury apartment, and conference area. New septic was installed in stable complex where luxury apartment and conference center are located. Six paddocks. $725,000.

Contact Cindy Stys, Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd., 610.849.1790.

What puts the life in your lifestyle?

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If you have a dream to add more life to your lifestyle— whether it’s a pond for your kids to enjoy, fencing to keep your puppy safe and close to home, or even a brand new EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY farm that would give everyone a little more room—call your local Farm Credit office. We want to be your lender for life.

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EQUAL HOUSING

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888.339.3334 mafc.com EQUAL HOUSING

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What to expect when you apply for a mortgage Looking to purchase your dream home in the country this year? We know how frightening this can be! To help, we’ve put together the following checklist to help you have a stress-free home buying experience. Our mortgage experts are ready to guide you from start to finish. So, when you’re ready, give our Country Mortgages team a call at 888.339.3334.

1 Getting Prepared • A checklist of items will be provided to you prior to completing the mortgage application. Gathering the items upfront will help the process go more smoothly.

• The list includes verification of income, assets, liabilities, taxes, and insurance as well as other items that may pertain to your particular situation.

2 The Application • You will meet with your loan officer to review your paperwork and complete the application. This may be done in person or by some other means.

• A credit report will be obtained to help determine your interest rate and what loan program might be best for your situation. You may lock or float your interest rate at application. If you decide not to lock the rate, that can be done later in the process.

• Within three business days of application, a set of preliminary disclosures will be sent to you. Please be sure to go over these important documents with your loan officer.

3 Processing • You will be contacted by a mortgage specialist requesting any items that may not have been available at application. Any additional items will be listed on your loan commitment letter.

• An appraisal will be ordered to determine the market value of the real estate.

• An attorney or title company of your choosing will be contacted to begin the title search for the property.

4 Underwriting • Once all of your documentation has been received, along with the completed appraisal and title search, your loan will be submitted to underwriting.

• A final loan decision may or may not be made at this time. The underwriter may ask for additional information in order to have your loan fully approved.

• If additional information is requested by the underwriter, you will be notified by the mortgage

specialist. Time is of the essence and the information should be provided as quickly as possible to avoid any delays.

5 Closing • Once your loan is fully approved, you will be contacted by the attorney or title company to schedule a day and time for your closing.

• Prior to closing, a settlement sheet or HUD-1 will be prepared indicating the exact amount of funds you will need at closing.

• Certified funds for closing should be made payable to the attorney or title company handling the settlement. If you don’t know how to get a certified check, please ask your loan officer—not having the right type will delay your closing.

• Information provided at application, including employment and credit, is re-verified prior to closing to confirm there have been no changes.

It is important to provide information and return paperwork in a timely manner and to inform your loan officer of any changes during the process. This will help avoid delays and keep the process moving quickly. Your loan officer and mortgage specialist are available at any time to answer questions regarding the process. We wish you all the best on your search for your dream home! volume 20 | issue 1 | mafc.com | 19

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE BALTIMORE MD PERMIT NO. 7175

45 Aileron Court Westminster MD 21157

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Supporting our future farmers.

For nearly 100 years, Farm Credit has believed in the future of agriculture by serving rural America, providing exceptional customer service and supporting youth agriculture organizations such as FFA and 4-H. We believe that youth organizations such as FFA and 4-H foster a student’s leadership development, personal growth, career success, and the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and their communities.

We also believe in the future of agriculture by lending support to rural America, so if you’re looking for financing, give us a call or visit us at mafc.com.

Lending support to rural America®

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