Autumn - AgSouth Farm Credit

Financing Rural America
Autumn 2007 | $2.95
www.agsouthfc.com
AgSouth’s Out in the Country is published three times
a year for stockholders and friends of AgSouth.
President
William P. Spigener, Jr.
Board of directors
Chairman: Noel L. Riggins, Yatesville, Ga.
Vice Chairman: Thomas H. Coward, Aiken, S.C.
Gary L. Alexander, Westminster, S.C.
Harry S. Bell, Ward, S.C.
Arthur Q. Black, York, S.C.
James C. Carter, Jr., McDonough, Ga.
Loy D. Cowart, Twin City, Ga.
Lee H. DeLoach, Statesboro, Ga.
Diane H. Edwins, Ridgeville, S.C.
A. Harvey Lemmon, Woodbury, Ga.
Eugene W. Merrit, Jr., Easley, S.C.
Jimmy B. Metts, Pearson, Ga.
Jerome G. Parker, Reidsville, Ga.
Charles C. Rucks, Brooks, Ga.
Raymond L. Tumbleston, Meggett, S.C.
Hugh E. Weathers, Bowman, S.C.
John R. Wells, Carrollton, Ga.
David H. Womack, Claxton, Ga.
EDITOR
Rhonda Uzzolino
Co-Editor
Miriam Pflug
Publisher
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
Publishing director
Donna Camacho
Design TEAM
Darren Hill, Amanda Simpson,
Travis Taylor, Cassandra Zimmerly
Circulation
Kathi DeFlorio
Address changes, questions, comments or requests for copies of
financial reports should be directed to AgSouth Farm Credit by
writing Pat Bowen at PO Box 718, Statesboro GA 30459-0718 or
calling 800-633-9091. If you prefer, you may send your request
via email to [email protected].
AgSouth Farm Credit does not endorse or accept responsibility
for the advertisements contained in this publication and is
not responsible for any misrepresentations contained therein,
including misprints. Opinions and statements contained in
advertising are those of the advertisers.
To advertise in AgSouth’s Out in the Country, email Rhonda
Uzzolino at [email protected] or call 803-767-1559.
AgSouth reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertising
deemed inappropriate in the opinion of management.
We appreciate your comments! We hope you enjoy AgSouth’s
Out in the Country. Please thank our advertisers and let them
know you saw their ad in our magazine. Advertising helps defray
the cost of printing and mailing your cooperative’s magazine. If
you have any comments or suggestions about AgSouth’s Out in
the Country articles, columns or advertisements, please contact
Rhonda Uzzolino at [email protected] or 803-767-1559.
Please support your Out in the Country advertisers!
Cover Photo Courtesy of Carol Ullner
PRINTED WITH
SOY INK
TM
Important Message from
the Chairman of the Board
Effective with the autumn 2007 issue of Out in the Country, the quarterly balance sheet and
income statement will not be included in the magazine. You can view a complete financial
report on our association’s Web site at www.agsouthfc.com. A printed copy of the quarterly
financial report can be obtained by writing Alisa D. Gunter, CFO, P.O. Box 4966, Spartanburg,
In This Issue
Member information
Important Crop
Insurance Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Steps to Grow Your
Patronage Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Questions About Patronage. . . . . . . . 6
Directors Re-elected. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
S.C., 29305 or calling 1-800-310-4805 ext. 237.
HORIZONS Project
Discussions Continue. . . . . . . . . . . 9
Noel L. Riggins, Chairman
member spotlight
Bernie L. Wright, a Man
With a Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
From the Editor
feature
Cypress Bay Plantation . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Like the autumn leaves nearly off the trees by now, another year has gone by and left us with
Home & Land
the harvest of our efforts and the promise of a pause to gather our strengths before emerging
Sod is Alive and Well. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
anew and refreshed.
Has the Home Loan Industry
Come to a Halt?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
We have had another successful year for our members, who will be harvesting the fruits
of our success in spring as you receive your patronage checks. We’ve also had a “rebirthing” with the debut of our new Web site, and we’ve said goodbye to some friends as we’ve
welcomed others to our AgSouth family.
This issue of Out in the Country is packed full of information for you. We take you on
a tour of one of South Carolina’s most beautiful conservation farms. We visit with a member
Opportunity Knocks:
Hunting Leases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
AgSouth Farm Credit’s Alliance
with Southern Land Exchange
Benefits Our Customers. . . . . . . . . 23
who’s diversifying his operation and getting the farm ready for the next generation. We bring
association news
you important information on topics you need to know about: patronage, hunting leases,
privacy procedures, what the government is doing for conservation farmers, and explore
AgSouth’s Web site is Ready
to Serve You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
many ways in which AgSouth is working to better serve your needs.
Project Learning Tree. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
one of our best issues to date. We’ll see you in the spring with more articles featuring our
USDA has Good News for
Conservation Farmers . . . . . . . . . . 27
members, focus on what’s going on in the ag-related and home industries, and bring you
Meet the AgSouth Staff . . . . . . . . . . . 28
highlights on many of the events and happenings around our territory. We give thanks for
Loan Officers Learning How to
Better Serve Our Customers . . . . . 29
We hope you enjoy this issue of Out in the Country, our last issue for 2007, and, I think,
your business and the opportunity to serve you.
Pat Luther Retires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
AgSouth Farm Credit Founder’s Day
Classic Goat Show. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
From all of us at AgSouth . . . happy holidays!
Rhonda Uzzolino
Rhonda Uzzolino
Marketing Manager
Attention AgSouth Farm Credit Members:
AgSouth’s Privacy Procedure. . . . . . 31
Member Discounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
FCA Regulation 620.4 requires prior written notification of the new
reporting deadline for the Association’s annual report (75 days on the Internet and mailed in 90 days.) An electronic copy
of the report will be posted on the Internet at www.agsouthfc.com within 75 days (by March 15, 2008) after the end of the
fiscal year and you will receive the written copy of the annual report on or before March 30, 2008.
memb er i nf ormat i on
Important Crop Insurance Dates
11-01-07
Initial Planting Date—Winter Transplanted
Onions (Ga.)
11-01-07
Billing Date—Cotton
11-10-07
End of Insurance Period—Tomatoes (S.C.)
11-14-07
Production Reporting Date—Barley/Oats/
Wheat/Rye
11-20-07
Sales Closing Date/Cancellation Date—
Blueberries/Peaches/Apples
11-20-07 and 11-30-07
Final Planting Date—Barley/Oats/Wheat
11-30-07
Final Planting Date—Rye
11-30-07
Sales Closing Date, Acreage Reporting Date,
End of Insurance Period, Cancellation Date
—Clams (S.C.)
11-30-07
End of Insurance Period—Peanuts
11-30-07
Billing Date—Pecans
11-30-07
Contract Change Date—Corn/Cotton/Grain
Sorghum/Peanuts/Soybeans/Tobacco
12-10-07
End of Insurance Period—Corn, Grain
Sorghum, Soybeans
02-28-08
Sales Closing Date—Corn/Cotton/Grain
Sorghum/Peanuts/Soybeans/Tobacco
12-15-07
Acreage Reporting Date—Barley/Oats/
Wheat/Rye
02-28-08
Cancellation Date—Corn/Cotton/Grain
Sorghum/Peanuts/Soybeans
12-31-07
End of Insurance Period—Cotton
03-01-08
Initial Planting Date—Corn
01-10-08
Production Reporting Date, Acreage Reporting Date—Blueberries
03-01-08
Production Reporting Date, Acreage Reporting Date—Pecans
01-15-08
Production Reporting Date/Acreage Reporting Date—Peaches
03-01-08
Acreage Reporting Date—Winter Transplanted Onions (Ga.)
01-31-08
Sales Closing Date, End of Insurance Period,
Cancellation Date—Pecans
03-15-08
Initial Planting Date—Spring Transplanted
Tomatoes (S.C.)
01-31-08
Sales Closing Date/Cancellation Date—
Tomatoes (S.C.)
03-15-08
Cancellation Date—Tobacco
03-17-08
Production Reporting Date—Tomatoes (S.C.)
01-31-08
Contract Change Date—Nursery
02-01-08
Final Planting Date—Winter Transplanted
Onions (Ga.)
02-01-08
Acreage Reporting Date—Fall Direct Seeded
Onions (Ga.)
03-26-08
Initial Planting Date—Peanuts (S.C.)
This notice is for informational
purposes only. Policy provisions will
prevail.
If you know of someone who needs crop insurance or would like
more information about our products, please contact one of the
insurance agents listed below:
Jimmy Dockery, Douglas, Ga.
800-334-1224
[email protected]
Mary Hutcheson, Vidalia, Ga.
800-633-4887
[email protected]
Sandra Crews, Blackshear, Ga.
800-522-0596
[email protected]
Cindy Saxon, Statesboro, Ga.
800-633-9091
[email protected]
AgSouth Farm Credit
4
Steps to Grow Your Patronage Program
Take these steps, and watch your association
(and your patronage) grow!
• Tell your friends and neighbors how
doing business on a cooperative basis
with AgSouth puts our profits in your
pockets!
• Ask your loan officer about our programs
for leasing, crop, and life insurance.
• Refinance your loans with other lenders
through the cooperative you own and
govern—AgSouth!
• Refer your friends and neighbors to
AgSouth for their crop insurance needs.
• Use AgSouth Mortgages for your home
loan needs and refer your friends. AgSouth
Mortgages offers loans for homes in the
country, in the city, vacation homes, and
so much more! With a variety of programs
their dreams. And the service fees we
Remember, a stronger cooperative and
available, AgSouth Mortgages can help
make from AgSouth Mortgages help put
a stronger patronage program are in your
just about anyone get into the home of
more of our profits in your pockets.
hands!
Year Ending
Total Patronage
Distribution
Cash
Allocated Surplus
Allocated Surplus
Distributed
1991-1999
$ 132,236,633
$ 39,525,775
$
92,710,858
$
92,710,858
23.13%
June 2000
$
3,705,705
$
1,111,613
$
2,593,764
$
2,593,764
—
December 2000
$
13,526,813
$ 3,967,608
$
9,559,206
$
9,559,206
21.06%
December 2001
$
20,092,776
$
5,933,924
$
14,158,852
$
14,158,852
24.11%
December 2002
$ 17,000,908
$
5,100,260
$
11,900,648
21.61%
December 2003
$
19,265,722
$
5,779,717
$ 13,486,005
25.73%
December 2004
$
21,412,050
$
6,423,615
$
14,988,435
28.46%
December 2005
$
26,917,231
$
8,075,169
$ 18,842,062
30.25%
December 2006
$
28,916,264
$
8,674,879
$
27.61%
Total
$ 283,073,774
$ 84,592,560
20,241,385
$ 198,481,215
$
119,022,679
% Interest
Earned*
24.19%
Note: June 2000’s % Interest Earned is included in December 2000’s total which was 21.06%.
Total Cash
$
84,592,560
Total Allocated Surplus Distributed
$
119,022,679
Total Patronage Paid to our Customers!
$
203,615,239
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
* For the years 1991-2003, amounts shown are on a
consolidated basis for a comparative purpose. Due to
various mergers during this period, the actual interest
earned percentages differ from the consolidated
percentages reflected above.
5
memb er i nf ormat i on
Questions About Patronage
As the end of the year approaches, we like
What is allocated surplus?
members of a constant supply of credit at
to print frequently asked questions about
Allocated surplus is a portion of patronage
competitive rates.
patronage for our members. You may want
retained by AgSouth to help keep the asso-
to keep this article as a reference when
ciation operating on a sound financial basis.
preparing your 2007 tax returns.
A member’s allocated surplus is assigned to
Can you give me an example of
how patronage benefits me?
that member’s equity account.
Sure. Let’s assume you’re a member with
What is patronage?
a $100,000 10-year loan and your interest
rate is 10 percent. You would have accrued
of the association’s profits to our member-
What happens to the allocated
surplus on my account?
borrowers. Because AgSouth Farm Credit is
Allocated surplus is retained by the asso-
AgSouth’s average distribution has been
a cooperative, our members own the asso-
ciation to help keep it strong and may be
approximately 25 percent of its earnings. If
ciation and are therefore entitled to share
distributed any time at the discretion of the
you were an AgSouth member, you would
in the association’s profits. Patronage is not
member-elected board of directors. AgSouth’s
have received $2,500 in patronage. Of this
a dividend, but a return of a portion of the
board of directors typically distributes allo-
amount, approximately 30 percent, or $750,
interest earned on a loan.
cated surplus on a five-year revolvement.
would have been paid to you in cash, with the
Patronage is a way of distributing a portion
$10,000 in interest on the loan the first year.
remaining $1,750 being placed in allocated
How much has AgSouth paid
in patronage?
surplus.
Since 1991, AgSouth has paid over $283
Why can’t I receive all of my
patronage refund in cash all
at once?
million to our members, including more
Patronage is distributed in accordance
paid during the first year, the interest paid
than $203 million in cash! This means
with the rules and regulations set out in the
was actually only $7,500, making the effec-
that for every dollar in interest paid on an
association’s by-laws. Allocated surplus is
tive cost of borrowing 7.5 percent instead of
AgSouth loan, AgSouth returned an average
needed to ensure that the association main-
10 percent.
of 25¢ to its members.
tains a strong capital position, assuring our
If you subtract the patronage of $2,500
from the $10,000 in interest you would have
How is a member’s share of
patronage determined?
Patronage Refund Calculation:
A member’s patronage is proportional to the
Interest Accrued during the year
amount of interest earned on his or her loan.
Patronage Factor
$
10,000.00
25%
Borrower’s Patronage Refund
$
2,500.00
How is patronage paid?
Portion of Patronage Paid in Cash (30%) $
750.00
Patronage can be paid in cash, allocated
Portion of Refund Held/Allocated Surplus
$
1,750.00
surplus, stock, or any combination thereof.
AgSouth Farm Credit typically pays 30
Effective Cost of Borrowing Calculation:
percent of the patronage refund in cash and
Interest Accrued during the year
$
10,000.00
places the remainder in allocated surplus to
Less Patronage Return
$
2,500.00
be distributed at a later date.
Net Interest Paid by Borrower
$
7,500.00
Effective Cost of Borrowing*
*does not take into effect the time value of money.
AgSouth Farm Credit
6
7.5%
Quarterback
Yo u r F i n a n c i a l
A
s one of the most successful agricultural lending cooperatives in the United States, AgSouth Farm Credit returns
our profits to our members.
Since 1991 we have averaged a 25% return of interest paid to
our members. In simple terms, if you borrow from AgSouth
Farm Credit, you’re getting an estimated quarter back for every
dollar of interest paid on your loan.
Imagine reducing ALL of your interest payments by
25%!—your car, home, equipment, vacation home, real estate,
child’s education…If you’re a full-time farmer, you can finance
all of these things, and more, through AgSouth! If you’re not a
full-time farmer, you can still benefit by using AgSouth Farm
Credit financing for other types of financing.
If you’re in the market for a loan for:
• Rural property of any kind
• A home in the country
• Equipment
• Operating money for your farm or
farm-related business
…or if you would like to consider refinancing an existing loan
on the above, give us a call. We’d like to be your financial quarterback, putting a quarter back in your pocket for every dollar
of interest paid on your loans.
Patronage Program
Putting Our Profits in Your Pocket!
*Typical distribution for any given year is 30% of patronage payable is paid in cash, with the remaining 70% paid in the form of allocated surplus, to be
distributed at the discretion of the Board of Directors. AgSouth is pleased to report that we have consistently maintained a 5-year revolvement schedule.
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
7
memb er i nf ormat i on
Directors Re-elected
By: Alisa Gunter, Chief Financial Officer
The following directors were re-elected for a three-year term at the association’s annual meeting held earlier this fall.
Arthur Q. Black, York, S.C.
James C. Carter, Jr., McDonough, Ga.
AgSouth Chairman of the Board Noel Riggins of Lamar County, Ga., accepts a plaque on behalf of AgSouth’s Board of Directors for its work on the Farm Credit System’s PAC program.
AgSouth Farm Credit
8
Charles C. Rucks, Brooks, Ga.
AgSouth Director Gary L. Alexander has been
elected to a four-year term as a director of the
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank.
AgSouth Directors and Employees Continue to Discuss
the HORIZONS Project with Legislators
By: Rhonda Uzzolino, Marketing Manager
D
uring the second and third quarters
Credit System, a national network of locally-
of 2007, AgSouth employees and
owned cooperative lending associations and
directors continued to meet with
banks, is the single largest lender to rural Amer-
legislators to discuss the future of agriculture
ica and is vital to the future vitality of our nation’s
and the Farm Credit System’s HORIZONS
agricultural and rural communities. Our legisla-
project. Because today’s agricultural market is
tors are very interested in hearing about the
more diverse and more complex than ever
project’s initiatives and progress. For more
before, the Farm Credit System undertook the
information on this project, please visit our Web
HORIZONS project last year. HORIZONS is a
site at www.agsouthfc.com and review the spring
forward-looking planning initiative that will
2006 issue of Out in the Country.
help the System meet the changing needs of
U.S. agriculture and rural America. The Farm
Congressman Joe Wilson met with representatives
of the AgFirst Farm Credit District Bank and AgSouth Farm Credit to discuss the Farm Bill and Farm
Credit’s Horizons project. From the left: AgFirst
Farm Credit Bank President/CEO Andy Lowery,
Maribeth Corbett of AgFirst, Congressman Wilson,
AgSouth S.C. Divisional President Ronnie Summers,
Nancy Huffstetler, and Nick McNair, who are both
with AgFirst Legislative and Public Affairs.
More than 1200 people attended the Georgia
Chamber’s Congressional Luncheon in Perry, Ga., to
hear Senator Saxby Chambliss speak about current
legislative issues. The Senator later met with representatives of the Georgia Farm Credit associations
to discuss Farm Credit-related issues. From the left:
AgSouth Farm Credit Vice President Jon Harris, Director of Secondary Market and Financially-Related
Services Theron Anderson, AgGeorgia Director Guy
Daughtrey, AgGeorgia Branch Manager Tom Teate,
Senator Saxby Chambliss, AgGeorgia Marketing
Officer Tom Kight, and AgSouth Regional Vice
President Stan Carver.
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
9
Senator Lindsey Graham (second from left) met
with AgSouth members Johnny Williamson (left) and
Jim Roquemore (right), and AgSouth S.C. Divisional
President Ronnie Summers (second from right) at a
dove shoot hosted by Mr. Roquemore in September.
Congressman John Barrow met with AgSouth
Board Member Lee H. DeLoach and AgSouth staff
this summer in the Statesboro, Ga., administrative
offices. From the left: AgSouth President/CEO
Bill Spigener, Director of Secondary Market and
Financially-Related Services Theron Anderson, Ga.
Divisional President Craig Peebles, Congressman
Barrow, Senior Vice President Pat Calhoun, Vice
President Dewey Newton and Mr. DeLoach.
memb er s pot l i ght
Bernie says his farming operation in Calhoun county is his pride and joy.
Bernie L. Wright
A Man with a Mission
By: Miriam Pflug, Marketing Manager
W
hat can you say about a man
farm and had an inner passion to cultivate
with a mission?
and care for the land. Mr. Wright’s father
That he is
focused, determined, knows
what he wants, has a drive to achieve his
dreams, is willing to work long and hard to
achieve his goals, and is willing to “work his
plan?”
You can say all of these things about
this man with a mission, Bernie L. Wright.
Mr. Wright grew up in Calhoun County,
South Carolina on a family farm. His father,
as well as his grandfather, were farmers.
While working and assisting in both opera-
Mr. Wright
realized that he
wanted to farm
and had an inner
passion to cultivate
and care for the
land.
tions, Mr. Wright realized that he wanted to
AgSouth Farm Credit
10
died when he was just 19 years of age. He
had enrolled in S.C. State located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, with plans to study
Ag-Economics and Business. He knew that
he wanted to know more than just the technical side of farming. He wanted to know
the economic and financial side of what was
profitable, what were good financial practices, and what options were available to
sustain and make the farming operation the
best it could be.
Mr. Wright graduated from South
Carolina State in 1969 with a degree in AgEconomics and Business. After graduation,
he began working for Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). As a loan officer, he could
bring his farming skills and education together to help his own operation as well as assist
others.
While working for FmHA, his mission
to continue farming remained foremost. He
attributes his driving ambition to his mother’s father, who successfully operated a large
1,500-acre farm.
As Mr. Wright moved up in the ranks
with FmHA, he continued to farm.
He
purchased his first Ford 5000 tractor from
the Production Credit Association in 1972.
Bernie smiles when he thinks back to 1972 when he got his first farm loan to buy this tractor, which he
says is still working today.
His branch manager/loan officer was Tom
Welsh, now Executive Vice President of
While continuing to farm and work for
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank in Columbia, South
FmHA, he found himself drafted to serve in
Carolina. While there are many institutions
the U.S. Army. After serving for 19 months
“With pleasure,” he kept the farm oper-
from which he could have obtained financing,
and 20 days, he returned home, married
ating, while simultaneously working on his
the choice to go to the “PCA” was foremost in
Beverly Sally, purchased a home, and subse-
Masters and working full-time for FmHA.
his mind.
quently moved to Washington, D.C., all with-
With the purchase of the tractor, he
in a 60-day period of time.
loan officer in Washington and returned home
every other weekend to manage the farm.
His goal was to use the financial management knowledge he acquired on the job, and
realized that he was in fact a real farmer! He
In Washington, he pursued his Masters
apply it to both his own farming operation
was realizing a part of this dream and enjoy-
in Applied Public Financial Management from
and that of others. He also learned about
ing the challenges of farming.
American University. He also worked as a
other services and how they could benefit a
farming community. All of these skills came
with him when he returned to South Carolina
to manage the District FmHA office located
in Bamberg, South Carolina.
Continued on next page
Mr. Wright is very
proud of his hog
production,
as his quality
of pork is
unsurpassed.
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
11
M emb er Spot l i ght
During the next several years he moved
Center. “The center serves as a local, national
up through the agency, and later was named
and international resource center and acts as
State FmHA Director for South Carolina. Mr.
Wright faced the challenges of managing
this operation during difficult farming times.
There were many obstacles to overcome as the
FmHA system was streamlined, staffing was
cut in half, and the name was later changed
to Rural Development. Then in 2001, Mr.
Wright retired to enjoy his own farm.
Retirement didn’t last very long, as he
became director of the Penn Center, located
in St. Helena, South Carolina, in January
While there were
many places
he could have
obtained financing
from, his choice
to go to the “PCA”
was foremost in his
mind.
a catalyst for the development of programs
for self-sufficiency.”
But while Mr. Wright is the Executive
Director of the Penn Center, he has a farming
operation in Calhoun County which continues
to pull his heart strings and is his pride and
joy. The farm consists of 130 acres planted
in corn, oats, wheat, and rye. Mr. Wright also
raises free range hogs that are finished and
delivered bi-weekly to Snow Creek Processors
in Seneca, South Carolina. Mr. Wright is very
2002. The Penn Center is “the site of one of
proud of his hog production, as his quality of
the country’s first schools for freed slaves and
pork is unsurpassed.
one of the most significant African American
weekend in November), the Program for
So, as you can see, Mr. Wright really
historical and cultural institutions in exis-
Academic and Cultural Enrichment (PACE),
does have a mission. He has enjoyed his
tence today. The Penn Center’s mission is to
the Early Intervention Program, and the Land
mission of farming and delivering a high level
promote and preserve the history and culture
Use and Environmental Education Program.
of education in financial management. The
of the Sea Islands.”
In addition, the Penn Center consists
next time you are in the Beaufort area, stop
Mr. Wright is responsible for many of
of 500 acres which requires on-going care
by the Penn Center, visit and see the wonders
the center’s programs such as the History and
and maintenance. Mr. Wright also brings to
of a mission being fulfilled.
Culture program, the Annual Penn Center
the Center his vast knowledge of resources
Heritage Days Celebration (held every second
and service to help further develop the Penn
Bernie stands proudly in front of Darrah Hall, built in 1882. The oldest on the Penn School campus, this building was originally used as a gymnasium and provided shelter
to homeless refugees after a hurricane in 1893.
AgSouth Farm Credit
12
f eat ure
A blue heron stalks a wetland pond for prey.
Cypress Bay Plantation
A Stunning Tribute to Conservation Farming
By: Rhonda Uzzolino, Marketing Manager
W
hat do you do with 95 acres of
persistence to make the plantation what it
his orthodontic practice and, like any other
clear-cut land in rural Hamp-
is today—a 2,600-acre stunning tribute to
new business, it took a while to become prof-
ton County, South Carolina.,
conservation farming in the South Carolina
itable. During those first lean years, Burris, a
Low County.
multi-talented man, built spec homes, fished,
where the nearest “hub” is only large enough
to attain “village” status? If you’re an ortho-
Burris, originally from Tennessee, first
and hunted. It was during those hunting and
dontist and your only connection to farming
visited the Low Country while he was in the
fishing trips that he really fell in love with
is visiting your grandfather’s farm as a boy,
Navy stationed at Parris Island. After serving
the South Carolina woodlands and decided
you slowly develop it as a conservation oasis
his country, he returned to Tennessee, where
that his family would one day own property
and enjoy the heck out of it, of course.
he and Gail bought five acres for a home.
there. It took many years before his practice
That’s what Dr. Skeet Burris and his
There, Burris completed his graduate work
became a success. Meanwhile, the Burrises
wife, Gail, did beginning in 1986. But the little
and became an orthodontist. However, during
multi-tasked between owning and operating
piece of heaven they call “Cypress Bay Planta-
his residency, Burris found that he missed the
a mini-warehouse and rental properties, and
tion” didn’t magically develop by itself over-
Live Oaks and marshes of the Low Country,
night. It took 20 years of clearing, digging,
so in 1972, when he graduated, he and Gail
planting, building, and a lot of patience and
packed up and moved to Beaufort. He opened
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
13
Continued on next page
f eat ure
remodeled and sold houses, doing most of
the work themselves.
In 1986, Skeet and Gail made a step
toward realizing their 14-year-old dream
and purchased the initial 95 acres of what
is now Cypress Bay Plantation. They lived
and worked in Beaufort during the week
and spent the weekends with their five boys
—Hank, Ben, Andy, Tony, and Charlie—clearing the property and camping with the whole
family in a small, two-bedroom cabin on the
property. Although the land was cut-over, full
species, wildflowers, and non-game animal
“After that first
patronage check
came in, I really
became a true
believer in the
cooperative
concept.”
of shrubs, bushes, and trash, the Burrises saw
its potential and developed a vision plan: “To
develop an ordinary piece of land and, with a
plan and a commitment to a lot of hard work,
create a tree-farm that will serve as a model
for other tree-farmers.” Everyone in the fami-
species; education for other landowners and
future landowners; and, most importantly,
perpetuation of a sustainable forest to be
self-supporting from generation to generation. Although the quarters in the cabin were
cramped, it was a magical place to raise a
family, and the Burrises enjoyed hunting and
fishing, riding horses, camping, and working
together to put their vision into place, and
had the time of their lives doing so.
The restoration and preservation of
the land wasn’t easy. They all cleared land,
ly signed the vision statement. The development plan included the following principles:
restoration of the forest, land, and buildings;
conservation practices for forests, wetlands,
and wildlife; preservation of native tree
The Burrises walk through a shady grove one of their boys grew as a school project.
AgSouth Farm Credit
14
developed blisters, got scratched by briars,
and sweated—a lot! They planted pines and
hardwoods, dug fish and duck ponds, built
deer stands and other structures—including a
home Burris helped design—put into practice
the plans they had made and slowly turned
the property into what the family had envisioned. For a generation who find it almost
impossible after a hectic schedule to commit
to a 30-minute family dinner every night,
the Burrises’ tenacity is a model unto itself.
To work 20 years towards the realization of
a dream, to spend every moment working
toward that initial vision—that’s commitment.
What started as a 95 acre piece of cutover property now hosts 100 acres of ponds
and wetlands, 2,400 acres of timber, a few
hundred acres of cleared land, and 80 acres
of crops and wildlife food plots, which Burris
plans to expand next year. What was once a
vine-covered, unproductive property is now
deer, eagles, osprey, ducks, quail, and other
“With some
commercial banks,
you don’t know who
you’re working with
because they sell
out and merge so
often, and they just
don’t understand
my business the
way Ernie does.”
a wetlands paradise for geese, swans, fish,
water fowl and forest creatures.
What accounts for the Burris family’s
blessings from the Lord—and the property’s—
success? They chalk it up to the fact that they
view the land as their future, their children’s
future, and on through the generations. They
started with their vision statement and also
followed Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no
vision, the people perish.” “I could visualize
what I knew the land could become,” says
Skeet, “and that kept me focused.”
We caught Burris in the middle of
harvesting 300 acres of timber. The timberland—all 2,400 acres of it—is carefully
managed. What Burris designed and now
carefully tends, is the sustainable forest he
Continued on next page
Cypress Bay Plantation is a wetlands paradise for all sorts of species.
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
15
f eat ure
first envisioned over 30 years ago, and what
Gail lovingly calls a “conservation family farm.”
Skeet and Gail have been honored over
and over again for their conservation efforts
and have been featured in such prestigious
magazines as Reader’s Digest, Progressive
Farmer, magazines for the Forest Landowners Association and National Wild Turkey
Federation, South Carolina’s Waterfowl
and Wetlands, as well as Sandlapper, E:
the Environment Newsletter, and Dental
Economics. Google the name on the Internet and you get page after page of articles
and awards. The list seems endless, the
awards too numerous to name. Let’s just say
that Skeet Burris and his family have set a
new standard for conservation farming in
Dr. and Mrs. Burris oversee the timber cutting.
the state of South Carolina.
Burris became an AgSouth customer
eight years ago when Ernie Avant, a regional
vice president in Allendale, introduced him
to patronage. He was buying another tract
of timberland and had a good relationship
with Ernie, who had previously worked for
a local bank. “I had a good relationship with
Ernie,” he says, “so when he went to work
for AgSouth, I went with him. And after he
explained the patronage program to me, I
became very excited about doing business
with AgSouth. After that first patronage
check came in, I really became a true believer
in the cooperative concept.” He adds, “With
A white egret perches atop a cypress tree in the largest pond.
some commercial banks, you don’t know
who you’re working with because they sell
out and merge so often, and they just don’t
understand my business the way Ernie does.
I value his knowledge and my relationship
with him and am very glad he steered me to
AgSouth. Farm Credit has been around for
more than 90 years, and I know they’re not
going anywhere.” When it comes to commitment, it looks as if Burris has met his financial match.
What used to be cut-over land is now home to a testament to wetlands and forest preservation.
AgSouth Farm Credit
16
home & l a nd
Sellers shows AgSouth Vice President Jerri Taylor the centipede “ribbons”
that are left after a freshly cut field. These “ribbons” will spread and grow
another crop to be cut in about a year.
Sod is Alive and Well
in Southeast Georgia
By: Jerri Lynn Taylor, Vice President
A
nyone passing by the Sellers Farm
the farm since he was 18, has hopes that one
in Appling County, Georgia, might
day his kids, Lynsey, ten, and Jason Thomas,
mistake the 30-acre sod field out
back as a big old yard at first—the perfect
place to play ball, ride four-wheelers, or just
enjoy the simple pleasure of unadulterated
running along with the kids. But, then again,
if Jason Sellers let his kids do that, they’d be
trampling on his bumper crop of centipede
“I feel Jerri Lynn
has a better
understanding of
my financial needs
and business.”
five, will carry on the tradition. Already the
children are helping out with small chores,
and Jason Thomas has a particular favorite—
riding on the tractor, under Daddy’s careful
watch, of course.
Sellers got into sod farming only a year
ago by planting 30 acres of centipede. A
grass. The Sellers have a big old yard that you
developer friend of his suggested the venture
just can’t play in, no matter how tempting.
as a way to supply his own demand for sod,
AgSouth member Jason Sellers owns
grandfather began farming cotton and tobac-
and it’s proven to be very successful—so
and operates a 450-acre sod and row crop
co in 1842 on the land, and the farm has
successful, in fact, that Jason recently plant-
operation with four broiler houses, and is
hosted a sawmill and a gristmill operation
ed another 30 acres. Sellers is the only sod
a fifth generation farmer. His great-great
in the past. Sellers, who has been operating
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
17
Continued on next page
home & l a nd
farmer from McRae, Georgia, down to the
ing to the farm and delivering the sod in his
more financially secure with a diverse opera-
coast, and although he delivers now to Savan-
18-wheeler, Sellers doesn’t have much time
tion. The diversity makes it easier to meet the
nah and its surrounding areas, he has plenty
for rest. Unlike his other row crops, sod is a
financial demands of such a large farm. If one
of room to grow that part of his operation.
year-round venture, with no time off for good
crop doesn’t do well one year, he can always
Centipede is a demanding crop. Sellers
behavior, so when you see that “Got Grass?”
depend on another crop, the broilers, or the
says that it must be watered daily, mowed
truck coming, you’d better move out of the
sod, which doesn’t have a growing season and
every four days, and fertilized every 40 days
way! Jason says that even though the crop
which he can sell year-round.
because of its shallow roots. Between tend-
keeps him busier than he’d like to be, he feels
Jason has sold more than 1,100 pallets
so far this year. Each pallet weighs 2,500
pounds and is made up of 195 individual
pieces gathered in strips straight from the
ground, and each contains a whopping 500
square feet of sod.
Jason’s wife, Stacie, who works full-time
at a local community bank, also helps with
the farm work and keeps the farm’s books.
In addition to running this diverse operation,
Jason is very involved in his community. He
is the local fire chief, the county fire chief,
past president of the Young Farmers association, and an executive committee member of
the Appling County Young Farmers. A young
farmer himself, Sellers knows how difficult it
is to keep a generational farm going when so
many developers are hungry for land and real
estate prices are tempting. But he has no plans
or desire to do anything different. Farming is
Sellers grows 60 acres of centipede year-round at his southeast Georgia farm.
in his blood, and he likes it that way.
Sellers has been an AgSouth member for
12 years. The reason he came to AgSouth to
obtain a loan for farm expansion was because
he had heard some great things from local
farmers about Vice President Jerri Taylor,
a farmer herself. He says that because she
farms, “I feel Jerri Lynn has a better understanding of my financial needs and business.”
It’s a partnership that has worked well for
more than a decade.
We caught Jason at the start of another
hectic day at the farm. Although he was
gracious in explaining his operation to us, we
kept the visit short because, according to him,
he had “a lot of ground to cover.” We think
that just about says it all.
When you see the “Got Grass?” truck coming, you’d better move out of the way!
AgSouth Farm Credit
18
Has the Home Loan Industry
Come to a Halt?
By: Angie Webber, Mortgage Originator
The home loan industry has received a lot of
AgSouth Mortgages promises to contin-
the benefits of an AgSouth construction loan
negative press in the last few months. You just
ue making our customers’ dreams of home
is that we can help you go from construction
have to pick up a morning paper to see the
ownership a reality. We will continue to
to permanent financing with one simple loan
latest news about the home loan market. Mort-
provide strong customer service and a loan
package. You can get the money you need for
gage lenders have been failing on a daily basis.
individually tailored to meet each customer’s
building, and when the home is done you will
Realtors are asking loan officers: “Will the
needs and circumstance.
automatically have the permanent financing
money be there at closing?” Of course it
The foundation of our success is based
in place without the hassle of going through
will, as long as your lender of choice is
on what we do best—efficiently and effort-
another closing. There is no need to pay extra
AgSouth Mortgages. AgSouth Mortgages
lessly financing homes with large acreages
closing or refinancing costs when the project is
is a subsidiary of AgSouth Farm Credit, which
and homes in rural areas. AgSouth Mortgages’
complete. It doesn’t matter if you have a build-
has been around for 90 years and, according to
originators specialize in these types of prop-
er or are building the home yourself, AgSouth
AgSouth’s Director of Secondary Market and
erties, and no other lender does it better! We
can provide you with the construction loan you
Financially-Related Services Theron Ander-
provide one-on-one personalized service, and
need. And if you’re dreaming of a log home in
son, “We’re not going anywhere. We have a
we make obtaining a home loan as convenient
the country, we can help with that with our
history of being a strong, committed leader in
as possible.
special programs just for log homes.
the financial industry, and nothing is going to
change that.”
AgSouth
Mortgages
also
provides
construction loans on large acreages. One of
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
19
Continued on next page
home & l a nd
Whether you’re buying your first home,
In Georgia:
Office
Baxley Cae Hutchinson
912-367-7006 912-222-2774 800-222-7006
Blackshear
Stacy Anderson
912-449-4701
Carrollton
Mark Herring
770-834-3319 770-468-2360 888-327-3969 x 2
around for that second home where you can
Douglas
Christian Taylor
912-384-3200 912-389-5775 800-334-1224
relax on the weekends, AgSouth Mortgages
Griffin
Wanda Smith
770-228-8958 770-468-2361 888.327.3969 x 1
has a home loan program to meet your special
Madison
Rick Spence
706-342-2352 706-614-4522 888-327-3969 x 6
needs. We not only have a wide variety of loan
Midway
Rhonda Brant
912-884-5644 912-222-2240
Rincon
Sherrie Odom
912-826-1464 912-663-5388
Statesboro
Deidre Nelson
912-764-9091
making a move to the country, upgrading
to accommodate a growing family, looking
to refinance your current home, or scouting
products available to you, but we provide quick
approval and loan closings, and you can even
Mobile
Toll-Free
912-222-2780 800-522-0596
912-536-2857 800-633-9091
Sylvania
Kendra Durrence
912-564-2468 912-425-1015 800-424-2651
apply online at www.agsouthmortgages.com.
Thomaston
Lynn Smith
706-647-8991 770-468-8252 888-647-8991
Most importantly, you don’t have to be
Vidalia
Melissa Williamson 912-537-4135
912-293-1976 800-633-4887
a farmer to qualify for our programs!
Anyone can apply for a home loan
through AgSouth Mortgages, and if you
want a home in the country on large
acreage, there’s no other lender better
suited to meet your needs.
Come see one of our experienced loan
officers today and let us help you make your
In South Carolina:
Aiken
Angie Webber
803-648-6818 803-295-2638 866-215-0147
Anderson
Christy Bikas
864-226-8507 864-617-7233 800-675-8507
Greenwood
Lisa Crawford
864-227-2561 864-992-4058 800-922-1435
Orangeburg Lateisha Beard
803-534-6546 803-378-7125 800-868-6546
Rock Hill
803-324-1131
Allison Hilliard
803-493-1392 877-488-2642
Spartanburg Phil Long
864-585-0344 864-580-0089 800-462-5819
Walterboro
843-549-1584 843-599-1401 800-868-1584
Justin McClure
dreams come true.
You can also apply for a home loan online at www.agsouthmortgages.com.
AgSouth Farm Credit
20
Opportunity Knocks:
Hunting Leases
By: Jesse Van Sant, Brown Rountree PC
Right now hunt-
If managed carefully, such arrange-
valorem taxes. Additionally, the landowner
ers around the
ments can increase a landowner’s economic
should reserve the right to cancel the agree-
country are in
return on his or her land. Hunters will travel
ment if hunters break the law or ignore the
hot
pursuit.
long distances and pay significant sums of
terms of the lease.
They are search-
money for the chance to lease quality hunt-
The lease agreement should also be
ing not only for
ing ground. But to make the most of this
specific in limiting the privileges it grants
deer, but also for
opportunity, a landowner’s interests should
and the people who may enjoy those privi-
land on which to
be protected by a written lease agreement.
leges. It should list, for instance, what game
hunt, and this
Such an agreement should leave noth-
may or may not be hunted; it should also
can mean good
ing to chance. For example, it should make
name each person allowed on the land and
news for rural
clear when hunting can take place, as well as
bar all others from entry. The lease may also
landowners. As the demand for hunting
the rent to be charged and when it will be
require that all gates remained closed or
continues to grow, more and more people
paid. A lease may also include a provision
clarify whether food-plots are permitted and
are providing leases to hunters as an addi-
for automatic renewal. In such cases, the
how such plots should be cultivated.
tional means of securing income from agri-
landowner should reserve the right to adjust
cultural property or timberland.
rent each year to equal any increase in ad
Jesse Van Sant
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
21
Continued on next page
home & l a nd
In addition, a lease may limit where
Many problems can be avoided if the lease
This is the most effective protection in case of
hunting can occur. For example, the agree-
requires hunters to walk the land with the
injury to third persons or damage to land or
ment can prohibit access to pastures and culti-
owner and flag all pitfalls, property lines, or
improvements.
vated fields or include cautionary instructions
cultivated fields. And a provision should be
Every year the market for hunting
to protect livestock. If farm workers or forest-
included in the lease that requires hunters to
ground continues to grow. Many farmers
ers may be found in the area, the lease should
indemnify the landowner for any loss and to
and owners of timberland have successfully
include a declarative statement making hunt-
release him or her from all liability. Addition-
supplemented their income by leasing their
ers aware of this and provide instructions to
al provisions, such as a restriction on persons
land for hunting. Although there are some
assure the safety of everyone involved.
authorized to enter the woods, will help limit
pitfalls to be avoided, careful preparation of
accidents and guard against liability arising
a written lease will ensure that landowners
from the acts of third persons.
make the most of this opportunity.
The lease agreement should also shield
the landowner from potential liability. Hunting can be dangerous, and hunters should
Finally, acquiring liability insurance
acknowledge in the lease that they willingly
will protect landowners if the unexpected
This article does not constitute legal
assume the risk. The agreement, moreover,
happens. The lease agreement should require
advice. See your attorney to discuss
should disclose any potential dangers such
hunters to purchase liability insurance and
issues unique to your circumstances
as holes, sharp drop-offs, or obscured fences.
name the landowner as an additional insured.
in the preparation of a lease.
Southern Land Exchange
www. SouthernLandExchange.com
FARMS, TIMBERLAND & HUNTING PROPERTIES
Toll Free 877-350-6487
1551 Jennings Mill Road, 1400A
Bogart, Georgia 30622
AgSouth Farm Credit
22
AgSouth Farm Credit’s Alliance With
Southern Land Exchange
Benefits Our Customers
By: Rhonda Uzzolino, Marketing Manager
P
roviding
customer
ment, ways to increase revenue from land,
service, having knowledge of local
top-notch
best practices for marketing land, options
and regional real estate markets,
available to buyers for financing, and other
treating people like you would expect to
related topics helpful to landowners, future
be treated, honestly caring about the wellbeing of your customers, and exercising high
integrity in business dealings are just some
of the work ethics shared by both AgSouth
Farm Credit and Southern Land Exchange
(SLE) based in Bogart, Georgia. These
mutual characteristics and beliefs have led
the companies to form an official alliance.
For many years, SLE has had a relationship with AgSouth in which the company
shared information about real estate markets
and referred customers who could benefit
from the products or services we offer. In
August of this year, SLE and AgSouth Farm
Credit formed an alliance to further promote
the strengths and benefits each company
“AgSouth
understands the
land business
and the needs of
its borrowers like
no other lender.
They are the best
at what they do,
day in and day out.
No one can hold a
stick to them.”
buyers, and sellers.
Tom Little and Steve Ebbers, owners of
SLE, say that AgSouth has been great to work
with in the past, and they believe the new alliance will allow an even greater benefit to each
company and their respective customers. Little
states, “We are very excited about our relationship with AgSouth Farm Credit. AgSouth
understands the land business and the needs
of its borrowers like no other lender. They are
the best at what they do, day in and day out.
No one can hold a stick to them.” AgSouth’s
Georgia Divisional President Craig Peebles
adds that he and his staff “are very excited
about the prospect of working with SLE to
better serve the needs of owners, buyers,
provides to buyers and sellers of real estate in
and sellers of recreational, agricultural, and
a five-state region in the southeast.
investment property within AgSouth’s service
SLE has the exclusive rights to market
area. Generally, SLE’s customers are very
land through Cabela’s Trophy Properties
well matched to AgSouth for their financing
in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and
needs, as most are dealing with properties that
parts of North Carolina and Tennessee. The
effort to increase mutual customer bene-
AgSouth specializes in financing, and we look
exposure Cabela’s Trophy Properties offers
fits. Under the alliance, the two companies
forward to this closer affiliation with Southern
buyers and sellers is unmatched, particular-
will jointly sponsor events to benefit both
Land Exchange.”
ly for farms, timberland, and hunting prop-
property owners and those who would like
erties. SLE and AgSouth, along with other
to purchase property. Some of the sponsor-
associations in the Farm Credit System,
ships will include landowner workshops
are now working together in a cooperative
dealing with game and wildlife manage-
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
23
As s oc i at i on News
AgSouth’s New Web Site is
Ready to Serve You
By: Jennifer Douglas, Information Systems Manager
If you haven’t stopped by lately, we invite
you to visit www.agsouthfc.com. Our new
Web site is more informative and userfriendly than ever. Meet our staff, see our
offices, and, as always, log in to visit your
secure, personal AgSouth Farm Credit information through AccountAccess. If you don’t
use AccountAccess, visit our site to sign up
to view your account online 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. We hope you enjoy the
new site. AgSouth is constantly looking for
ways to better serve our customers, and
creating the new site is one of the ways we
are achieving this goal.
AgSouth Farm Credit
24
Project Learning Tree
Teaching Sustainable Forestry in Environmental Education
By: Rhonda Uzzolino, Marketing Manager
T
hirty years ago, Project Learning
Tree (PLT) pioneered the concept
of providing teachers with supple-
mentary environmental education that
could be integrated into lesson plans for all
grades and subject areas.
Jerry Shrum has headed the project
for South Carolina since 1997. Last year, he
accepted an award from the Environmental
the course are asked to fill out an evaluation
Education Association of South Carolina for
form, and their input is taken seriously by
Outstanding Leadership in Environmental
program staff. The program changes every
Education and was also honored with the
two years and each year covers another
S.C. Forestry Association’s Charles H. Flory
part of the state. Recent additions to the
Distinguished Service Award.
program cover the use of technology in the
Teachers from all across the state
enroll in the South Carolina teacher’s tour
forestry industry and the impact of climate
changes and invasive plant species.
each year, for which they can receive credit
More recently, PLT developed the
Attendees’ input is also very vital to
towards their continuing education. The
Wood Magic Forest Fair (WMFF) program
the WMFF program. Students are admin-
program is first-come, first-serve, and is
for elementary school children. This is a
istered a pre-test and post-test measur-
especially recommended for all science,
four-hour program designed to educate
ing their education about forestry. Testing
biology, and ecology teachers in grades
fourth graders from across the state about
shows that just by attending the four-hour
three through eight. Since the tour began,
our dependence on the forestry industry
class, students grades increased nearly 30
the number of participants has nearly
and teach them about conservation and
percent regarding their knowledge of the
doubled. This year, 38 teachers spent four
renewable resources. The program is very
forestry industry. Students were better able
days on a bus, meant for 35, touring the
hands-on, and the children respond well
to understand the impact forestry has on
Low Country forests of South Carolina,
to the format. In the past eight years, more
the products they use daily and that trees
examining forestry practices and learning
than 15,000 children and nearly 3,000
are one of our greatest renewable resourc-
about the industry. Teachers who complete
teachers have attended the camp.
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
Continued on next page
25
As s oc i at i on News
es. Says one teacher, “My students are still
bubbling over the excitement about their
wonderful experience at the WMFF. They
love sharing all they learned about trees and
forestry . . . “and” . . . “fits so well into our
‘Education Beyond the Classroom’ curriculum.” The kids love it too. One fourth-grader
puts it this way: “Whenever I look at trees,
I’ll always remember the Wood Magic Forest
Fair.” Another adds, “This was my favorite
field trip ever.”
PLT is always in need of sponsors
and volunteers. If you’d like to help out in
any way, please contact Jerry Shrum at
803-896-8892 or [email protected].
For more information about the educational
programs offered by PLT, please visit www.
state.sc.us/forest/refplt.htm.
Absolute Land
Auction!
350 +/- acres
Dorchester Co, SC
December 1, 2007 @ 10:00 a.m.
Givhans Baptist Church
2140 Old Beech Hill Rd
Ridgeville, SC
(adjacent to property; near Givhans State Park)
350+/- acres to be sold in multiple tracts of 5-30 acres each or in any
combination (including the whole undeveloped tract), plus seven 1-acre
building lots with paved road frontage. Dorchester 2 Schools!
This beautiful property is mostly covered in pine forest with some
cleared land. A perimeter survey with proposed lot lines has been completed. Lots are the perfect size for mini-farms or equestrian estates, and
larger combinations would be perfect for development, farm, conservation, or hunting preserves. Final survey of your lot(s) will be completed following the auction and before closing. Seven developed 1-acre
lots along Campbell Road are already "building ready" or could be
combined with adjacent tracts for a larger development.
Guess That Bid - Win $500
Bidders who register at least 48 hours prior to sale earn a chance to win $500
for guessing closest to the total high bid for the property on sale day.
10% "Buyer's Premium" - 2% "Buyer's Premium" Discount for early registration with agreed opening bid.
Preview/land tours
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
A complete property information package, aerial map, and plat can be
downloaded at www.auctionmyrealestate.net (click the link to Givhans
Land Auction) or call Mike Harper 843-729-4996 for more information.
Mike Harper, SCAL #3728
Harper Auction and Realty
843-729-4996
auctionmyrealestate.net
AgSouth Farm Credit
26
USDA has Good News for Conservation Farmers
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2007—Acting
because some producers may have multiple
resource-conserving covers to improve water
Agriculture
Conner
contracts on a single farm. The payments
quality, control soil erosion and enhance
announced that beginning today, USDA
Secretary
Chuck
allow producers to earn an average of $4,130
habitats for waterfowl and wildlife. In
will distribute approximately $1.8 billion in
per farm enrolled in the program.
return, USDA provides producers with rental
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental
Included in the totals are 355,000
payments. CRP contract duration is from 10
payments to participants across the country
contracts (3.9 million acres) for CRP’s contin-
for fiscal year 2008 for completed perfor-
uous sign-up and 427,000 contracts (32.9
USDA issues other CRP payments
mance in the prior fiscal year.
million acres) for general sign-up. Under
throughout the year. These payments include
“By participating in CRP, producers and
continuous sign-up, producers may enroll
a 50 percent expense reimbursement for
other landowners throughout the nation are
high priority conservation practices such as
establishing cover as well as incentive
improving air and water quality, enhancing
filter strips and riparian buffers at any time
payments for enrolling eligible high priority
wildlife habitat, and reducing erosion,” said
without competition.
conservation practices.
to 15 years.
Conner. “These practices are making a real
Currently, enrollment stands at 36.8
The table, located at http://www.fsa.
difference today and promoting a healthier
million acres, making CRP the largest public-
usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/crptable07.pdf,
environment for the next generation.”
private partnership for conservation and
lists, by state, acreage enrollments, number
782,000
wildlife habitat in the United States. This
of contracts, number of farms, acres enrolled
contracts on 441,000 farms will receive an
voluntary program helps agricultural produc-
and the projected amount of upcoming CRP
average of $49.49 per acre. The number of
ers enhance environmentally sensitive land.
rental payments.
contracts is higher than the number of farms
Producers enroll in CRP and plant long-term,
Producers
holding
about
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
27
As s oc i at i on News
Meet the AgSouth Staff
Experience Working for YOU!
By: Lisa Peden, Human Resources Director
AgSouth is blessed with a knowledgeable
your interest rates low, keep your patronage
ern part of the state. Over the next few issues,
and experienced staff that works hard to
program strong, and provide you with service
we’ll continue to introduce you to the people
make sure our members receive the newest
beyond compare. In our summer issue, you
behind the name “AgSouth Farm Credit.”
loan products available on the market, keep
met Georgia’s Team 1, covering the Southeast-
MEET TEAM 5
More than 375 years of combined experience working for you!
Covering the following South Carolina Counties: Berkeley, Beaufort, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Jasper
St. Matthews: Julie Taber, Sammy Fogle
Summerville: (Back row, from the left): Henri Ann Hiatt, Drew McClam, Ira
Rivers, William West, Nina Grebanc. (Front row, from the left): Matt Singletary,
Jerry Bishop
Walterboro: (From the left): Benita Free, Jonathan Barnes, Cherry Smyly, Denna Rentz, Johnson Atkinson, Justin McClure, Troy Brownlee, Dell Murdaugh, Paul
Ackerman, John Nettles, Audrey Tobin
AgSouth Farm Credit
28
Loan Officers Learning How to Better
Serve Our Customers
By: Lisa Peden, Human Resources Director
B
en Skelley, a regional vice president with AgSouth in the Batesburg, South Carolina office, and
John Till, a corporate credit analyst in
Orangeburg, recently graduated from the
South Carolina Bankers School, held at the
Darla Moore School of Business, University
of South Carolina, in Columbia. The school
is designed as a three-year program that
focuses on leading students in a thorough
understanding of critical banking functions,
analytical skills, and management techniques, and creating an awareness of the
changing loan environment and the role of a
lender in the financial services industry.
Ben Skelley
John Till
Pat Luther Retires
By: Theron Anderson, Director of Secondary Market and Financially-Related Services
On August 31, 2007, ACA employee Pat
career. In 2004, Pat moved to the Madison
Luther retired after 14 years of service to
area and transferred to AgSouth Mortgages
the association. Pat started with AgSouth
as a loan processor. We wish her all of the
in Statesboro, Georgia, in the accounting
best and hope that she has a life of leisure in
department and worked there for most of her
her retirement.
Pat Luther
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
29
As s oc i at i on News
AgSouth Farm Credit Founder’s Day
Classic Goat Show
By: Stacy Anderson, Mortgage Originator
Photos by: Briar Patch Photography
A
gSouth was proud to sponsor the
AgSouth Farm Credit Founder’s Day Classic Goat Show on
September 30, 2007. The show was held at
South Georgia Youth Park Wiregrass Arena
in Nicholls, Georgia, and included livestock
from many surrounding counties: Coffee,
Ware, Brantley, Berrien, Webster, Peach,
Worth, Crisp, Colquitt, Emanuel, and Tift.
The exhibitors were from the 4-H and FFA
from these counties.
AgSouth
employees
Stacy
Ander-
son, Christian Taylor, and Cae Hutchinson
attended the show and gave out awards to
the winners. AgSouth was the show’s primary sponsor and received recognition during
the show, and also hosted a display booth.
The show was a big success and the turn-out
was larger than expected.
AgSouth Farm Credit
30
AgSouth’s Privacy Procedures
Your privacy is important to us. At AgSouth Farm
Credit, we want you to know that we hold your
• We can provide information in certain types
of law enforcement proceedings.
on the secondary market to Fannie Mae,
Farmer Mac, etc. These activities all involve
financial and other personal information in strict
actions on your AgSouth loan, and informa-
confidence. Since 1972, Farm Credit Administra-
• FCA examiners may review loan files during
tion regulations have prohibited institutions from
regular examinations of our association.
disclosing personal borrower information to others
tion may not be used for other purposes.
As a borrower of this institution, your privacy
without the customer’s consent. We do not sell
• If one of our employees applies to become a
and the security of your personal information
or trade our customers’ personal information to
licensed real estate appraiser, we may give
are vital to our continued ability to serve your
marketing companies or information brokers.
copies of real estate appraisal reports to the
ongoing credit needs.
The FCA allows us to disclose customer information to others only in the following situations:
state agency that licenses appraisers. We
will first remove as much personal information from the appraisal report as possible.
• We may give it to another Farm Credit institution with which you conduct business.
• We may disclose customer financial information in the ordinary course of business
• We can be a credit reference for you with other
to third parties when seeking government
lenders and provide information to a credit
guarantees, loan syndications, participa-
bureau or other consumer-reporting agency.
tions, etc., or when loans are being sold
Getting Ready for the Holidays?
Discounts Available for Members and Their Families
A
t AgSouth, we know our members
code “FCCS” during checkout. We are also
members, and family members. Sign up now
are special. And in addition to great
continuing our discount promotion for Sprint
for a two-year term and receive a $150 credit on
service from people you know and a
products to our members and their families.
your first invoice.
ton of loan programs to fit every need, we pride
Receive special offers on Sprint products and
We also provide our members with
ourselves in giving you even more to prove
up to 10 percent off your monthly bill when you
discounts on car rentals, Dell products, and
there’s a distinct advantage to doing business
sign up for select Sprint PCS Plans. If you are
more. For more “members-only” discounts,
on a cooperative basis with AgSouth.
not a current Sprint user, call 800-853-7001 or
visit our Web site at www.agsouthfc.com. By
AgSouth members and their families
go to www.farmcreditpcs.com and use discount
providing discounted communication services
can celebrate special occasions with gifts
number 0552997018. Existing Sprint customers
and other items of interest to our members,
and treats from 1-800-FLOWERS. Just visit
may call 866-853-4931 to receive the AgSouth
AgSouth is helping promote the cooperative
www.1800flowers.com or call 1-800-FLOW-
Farm Credit discount.
advantage and helping rural America grow!
ERS to place your order. To receive the 15
Note: This discount is available exclu-
percent Farm Credit discount, use promotion
sively to AgSouth Farm Credit employees,
Out in the Country Autumn 2007
31
AgSouth Farm Credit
P.O. Box 718
Statesboro, GA 30459
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
P AID
COLUMBIA SC
PERMIT 1160