Summer - AgSouth Farm Credit
Transcription
Summer - AgSouth Farm Credit
ON THE COVER Photo of Georgia Swamp by John R. Clark AgSouth Leader AgSouth’s Leader is published quarterly for stockholders and friends of AgSouth. PRESIDENT William P Spigener, Jr. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Harry S. Bell, Chairman of the Board Noel L. Riggins, Vice Chairman Gary L. Alexander Jack J. Arnold Earle J. Bedenbaugh Kenneth Bennett Arthur Q. Black Dr. W. Baynard Boykin Charles Ray Brown Dolan E. Brown Albert F. Busby T.W. Buzhardt Jimmy C. Carter, Jr. Thomas H. Coward Loy D. Cowart Herbert A. Daniel, Sr. Jacob L. Davis, III Lee H. DeLoach W. Lewis Duvall Diane H. Edwins George A. Hillsman Eugene T. Jones Jeffrey M. Knowles A. Harvey Lemmon Eugene W. Merritt, Jr. Jimmy B. Metts Samuel A. Milford Ricky C. North H.L. Page Jerome G. Parker L.L. Post Edward M. Rast Charles C. Rucks Jerry A. Smoak C. Earl Thrailkill, Jr. Raymond L. Tumbleston Hugh E. Weathers John R. Wells W. Gordon Wells David H. Womack Robert A. Youmans EDITOR Rhonda Uzzolino Important Crop Insurance Dates! By: Sandra Crews, Insurance Specialist 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 Leader, 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! Spring crop acreage reports are being finalized in both Georgia and South Carolina. This volume will determine a significant amount of AgSouth’s 2004 financially related services income. Members can help their association grow strong by buying crop insurance - a product you need anyway - from AgSouth, the cooperative that YOU own. Please note the important crop insurance dates below. 08/31 09/01 09/30 10/15 Sales Closing Date - Onions (Ga Only) Inventory Reporting Date/Last day to Transfer Policy - Nursery (Ga & SC) Sales Closing Date - Barley; Oats; Wheat (Ga & SC) Production Reporting Date - Onions (Ga Only) We hope you enjoy the new AgSouth Leader. 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 Leader articles, columns or advertisements, please contact Rhonda Uzzolino at [email protected] or 803-767-1559. Please support your Leader advertisers! If you know of someone who needs crop insurance or would like more information about our products, please contact Jimmy Dockery at 800-334-1224 or [email protected]. This notice is for informational purposes only. Policy provisions will prevail. PRINTED WITH SOY INK JIMMY DOCKERY Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 3 Contact your Representatives! South Carolina Representatives 1st District Henry Brown (R) Washington 202-225-3176 N Charleston 843-747-4175 Myrtle Beach 843-445-6418 2nd District Joe Wilson (R) Washington W Columbia 202-225-2452 803-939-0041 3rd District Gresham Barrett (R) Washington 202-225-5301 Anderson 864-224-7401 Greenwood 864-223-8251 Aiken 803-649-5571 4th District Jim DeMint (R) Washington Greenville Spartanburg 202-225-6030 864-232-1141 864-582-6422 5th District John Spratt (D) Washington Darlington Sumter 202-225-5501 843-393-3998 803-773-3362 6th District Jim Clyburn (D) Washington Columbia Florence Santee 202-225-3315 803-799-1100 843-662-1212 803-854-4700 Georgia Representatives 1st District Jack Kingston (R) Washington Savannah Brunswick Warner Robins 2nd District Sanford Bishop, Jr. (D) Washington 202-225-3631 Albany 229-439-8067 Dawson 912-995-3991 Valdosta 912-247-9705 Columbus 706-320-9477 3rd District Jim Marshall (D) Washington Macon Dublin 202-225-6531 877-464-0255 478-296-2101 4th District Denise Majette (D) Washington 202-225-1605 Decatur 404-633-0927 5th District John Lewis (D) Washington Atlanta 202-225-3801 404-659-0116 6th District Johnny Isakson (R) Washington 202-225-4501 Atlanta 404-252-5239 7th District John Linder (R) Washington Duluth Canton 4 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader 202-225-5831 912-352-0101 912-265-9010 478-923-8957 202-225-4272 770-232-3005 770-479-1888 8th District Michael “Mac” Collins (R) Washington 202-225-5901 Newnan 770-683-4622 Columbus 706-327-7228 9th District Charles “Charlie” Norwood (R) Washington 202-225-4101 Augusta 706-733-7066 Tocca 706-886-2776 10th District Nathan Deal (R) Washington Gainesville LaFayette Dalton 202-225-5211 770-535-2592 706-638-7042 706-226-5320 11th District Phil Gingrey (R) Washington Marietta Rome Carrollton 202-225-2931 770-429-1776 706-290-1776 770-836-8130 12th District Max Burns (R) Washington Athens Augusta 202-225-2823 706-613-1613 706-854-4595 13th District David Scott (D) Washington Savannah Statesboro Jonesboro 202-225-2939 912-352-1736 912-764-4589 770-210-5073 BILL SPIGENER, CEO President’s Message As we look back on the first six months of 2004, we are proud of the accomplishments made by the AgSouth staff. W e have brought together two organizations, and we are well on our way to achieving all of the merger goals set for the association. Earnings continue to exceed budget, and expenses are below estimates. If you consider the nonrecurring merger expenses charged during the first half of the year, we are substantially ahead of last year’s combined record earnings for Palmetto and AgSouth. As we move into the second half of the year, we anticipate that earnings will continue to increase as we realize some of the cost savings associated with the merger. After a dry early spring, June rains have been substantial in most of our production agriculture territory. As a result, crop conditions are now very good in most areas, and we should have average or above average yields for most of the commodities we produce. A good year in 2003 allowed many of our customers to repay loans ahead of schedule, as well as borrow less for 2004 production. Consequently, loan volume is below budget targets, even with loan closings substantially ahead of 2003 levels. Delinquencies, credit quality and non-earning assets have improved over 2003 due to the improved cash flow of our customers in 2003 and into 2004. As we begin looking to 2005, we will continue to explore ways to enhance customer service and our marketing efforts. To this end, we have made some strategic additions to our lending staff and are planning to continue to expand our secondary market program in both states. We are also building new facilities in Camden/ Lugoff, Laurens, Batesburg and Statesboro. The staff and customers are already enjoying the new facilities in Baxley. Management and the board are committed to continuing a review of our marketplace to find underserved areas where we can expand, and we remain committed to operate efficiently so that we can continue to put our profits in your pockets. CHEROKEE GREENVILLE DADE TOWNS FANNIN CATOOSA GORDON CHATTOOGA WHITE HABERSHAM STEPHENS LUMPKIN GILMER WALKER OCONEE UNION MURRAY WHITFIELD PICKENS ABBEVILLE JACKSON FLOYD POLK DOUGLAS GREENE DALE ON ROCK FULTON CLAYT NEWTON CARROLL FAYETTE COWETA LAMAR MERIWETHER PIKE PUTNAM TAYLOR TWIGGS PEACH MUSCOGEE STEWART PULASKI DOOLY SUMTER WEBSTER TERRELL LEE DODGE WILCOX RANDOLPH CLAY IRWIN CALHOUN EARLY DOUGHERTY WORTH GRADY SEMINOLE DECATUR COFFEE BERRIEN MITCHELL JEFF DAVIS COLQUITT COOK BROOKS LONG BACON LOWNDES EFFINGHAM HAM BRYAN CHAT TATTNALL APPLING WAYNE PIERCE WARE CHARLESTON BEAUFORT EVANS LIBERTY MCINTOSH GLYNN BRANTLEY LANIER CLINCH THOMAS BULLOCH CANDLER ATKINSON BERKELEY JASPER EMANUEL TIFT BAKER MILLER COLLETON HAMPTON SCREVEN TELFAIR BEN HILL TURNER DORCHESTER BAMBERG ALLENDALE JENKINS MONTGOMERY TOOMBS WHEELER CRISP QUITMAN BURKE TREUTLEN MACON SCHLEY BARNWELL LAURENS HOUSTON BLECKLEY MARION CHATAHOOCHEE RICHMOND JOHNSON CRAWFORD TALBOT WILLIAMSBURG ORANGEBURG WASHINGTON WILKINSON BIBB CLARENDON GEORGETOWN JEFFERSON BALDWIN JONES CALHOUN AIKEN GLASCOCK HANCOCK HORRY SUMTER LEXINGTON MBIA MCDUFFIECOLU WARREN MONROE UPSON HARRIS MORGAN JASPER BUTTS SPALDING HEARD TROUP HENRY TALIAFERRO MARION RICHLAND SALUDA EDGEFIELD LINCOLN WALTON DE KALB LEE FLORENCE GREENWOOD MCCORMICK CLARKE OGLETHORPE OCONEE WILKES MARLBORO DARLINGTON KERSHAW FAIRFIELD NEWBERRY ELBERT BARROW GWINNETTE COBB PAULDING HARALSON MADISON CHESTERFIELD DILLON LAURENS HART HALL FORSYTH LANCASTER CHESTER UNION ANDERSON BANKS FRANKLIN DAWSON CHEROKEE BARTOW PICKENS RABUN YORK SPARTANBURG CHARLETON CAMDEN ECHOLS CALL YOUR LOCAL AGSOUTH BRANCH FROM ANYWHERE WITH OUR NEW NATIONWIDE TOLL FREE NUMBER NUMBER 866-585-6234! YOUR CALL WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY FORWARDED TO YOUR HOME BRANCH! Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 5 We Put Our Profits in YOUR Pocket! Cooperative borrowing provides a great value to our customers. Not only do AgSouth members receive competitive interest rates up-front, but customers share in the profits of the association through the patronage program. Help strengthen your association and increase the possibility of larger patronage returns by: • sharing the AgSouth story! Tell friends and neighbors about the benefits of doing business with your cooperative. • purchasing your life, crop and timber insurance - coverage you need anyway - from your own company, AgSouth. • asking your loan officer about the benefits of leasing equipment, vehicles and buildings from AgSouth. • refinancing loans you have with other lenders through AgSouth, the cooperative YOU own and govern. • referring customers to our premier home mortgage unit, AgSouth Mortgages. When we grow and spread our operating expense over a larger base, we become more profitable, and the patronage distribution grows accordingly. It pays to do business with AgSouth! AgSOUTH FARM CREDIT PATRONAGE REFUND HISTORY Patronage Refund History TOTAL PATRONAGE DISTRIBUTION 9,530,295 15,298,275 13,680,732 14,557,441 16,656,821 15,829,795 15,943,456 16,206,631 14,533,187 3,705,377 13,526,813 20,092,776 17,000,908 19,265,722 FISCAL YEAR ENDING December-91 December-92 December-93 December-94 December-95 December-96 December-97 December-98 December-99 June-00 December-00 December-01 December-02 December-03 TOTAL $ 205,828,229 CASH 2,726,702 4,421,688 3,923,324 4,364,369 4,996,784 4,748,340 4,782,958 5,218,369 4,343,241 1,111,613 3,967,608 5,933,924 5,100,260 5,779,717 $ 61,418,897 ALLOCATED SURPLUS DISTRIBUTED 6,803,593 10,876,587 9,757,408 10,193,072 11,660,037 11,081,455 11,160,498 8,135,975 ALLOCATED SURPLUS 6,803,593 10,876,587 9,757,408 10,193,072 11,660,037 11,081,455 11,160,498 10,988,262 10,189,946 2,593,764 9,559,206 14,158,852 11,900,648 13,486,005 $ 144,409,333 $ $141,087,522 $141,087,522 Total cash payments to our customers! TOTAL CASH PAYMENTS TO CUSTOMERS! 6 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader TRONAGEHISTORY.xls 79,668,625 EMPLOYEE NEWS Employee News The Rock Hill, S.C., branch welcomed Samantha Hunter as a customer service representative in April. Samantha obtained her B.A. in Business Administration from Winthrop University with a concentration in Computer Information Systems. SAMANTHA HUNTER AgSouth Welcomes New Employees In March Crystal Harton was hired as a mortgage originator for the Spartanburg, S.C., area. Crystal earned her B.S. in Business Management from Georgia Tech and spent the last two years working in the real estate industry in Madison, Ga. By: Lisa Peden, Director of Personnel As you know, your association has gone through many changes in the past few months to accommodate the needs of the new AgSouth. One of these changes has included hiring personnel in some of the branches to help with growing loan volume and to provide better customer service. Please join us in welcoming the following individuals to the AgSouth team: CRYSTAL HARTON RICKY VARNADOE Ricky Varnadoe joined the Allendale, S.C., branch in January as a loan officer. Ricky graduated from Clemson University in 2001 with a B.A. in Forestry and recently received his Masters in Agriculture Education. Before coming to AgSouth, Ricky was employed by Clemson University as a graduate assistant. Russ Stewart joined the AgSouth team in May as a loan officer in the Greenville, Ga., office. Russ graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1995 and worked as an assistant vice president for United Bank in Thomaston, Ga., before coming to AgSouth. RUSS STEWART Mortgage originator Quincy X. Miller began working out of the Summerville, S.C., branch in January. Quincy obtained his B.S. in Business Management from South Carolina State University in 1994, and has worked in the lending and banking industries for the past 10 years. QUNCY X. MILLER BOBBY VOLKMER The Bamberg, S.C. office welcomed Tina Hutto as an associate accountant in May. Tina obtained her B.A. in Business Accounting from OrangeburgCalhoun Technical College in 1989. Before joining AgSouth, she was a manager for several staffing companies. TINA HUTTO Bobby Volkmer filled a much-needed position as an information systems coordinator for the association in March. He works out of the Spartanburg, S.C., administrative office. Bobby graduated from Georgia Tech with a Materials Engineering Degree. Before coming to AgSouth, he was employed by IBM as a process development engineer in the microelectronics division. KENDRA ZITTROUER Kendra Zittrouer is the newest addition to the AgSouth family. She joined the Statesboro, Ga., administrative office in May as an assistant accountant. Kendra graduated from Effingham County High School in 2003, and is currently a sophomore at Georgia Southern University. She was previously employed by the Effingham County Farm Bureau. Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 7 Pflug Receives Honorary State FFA Degree The South Carolina FFA 77th State Convention was held June 711 at Clemson University, in Clemson, S.C. Officers, leaders and members of the South Carolina FFA met for a five-day session that culminated in an awards and recognition banquet on Thursday evening, June 10, at the Anderson Civic Center. During the banquet, an Honorary State FFA Degree was presented to AgSouth Marketing Manager, Miriam R. Pflug. The Honorary Degree Program is the highest award available to a friend or supporter of the FFA at the state level. The honorarium is awarded to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the ag-based education program. Congratulations to Miriam and other recipients of the Honorary State FFA Degree. AgSouth Marketing Manager Miriam Pflug receives an Honorary State FFA Degree. Director Earl Thrailkill, Jr., Named S.C. Farmer of the Year By Karen Baxley, Regional Vice President Congratulations to AgSouth Director, Earl Thrailkill, S.C. Farmer of the Year! 8 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader AgSouth member and Director, Earl Thrailkill, Jr., was recently named South Carolina’s Farmer of the Year by a committee for the Lancaster/Sunbelt Agricultural Expo and its sponsor, Swisher International, Inc. (Lancaster refers to a tobacco brand and not the S.C. county.) Thrailkill was nominated by the Chester County Extension Service for his success in operating the Thrailkill farming operation, which consists of beef cattle and turkeys. Winners from eight southern states will compete for the Southeastern Farmer of the Year, where they will have a chance to win more than $14,000 in cash and prizes. The Southeastern Farmer of the Year will be selected from one of the following participating states: Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Florida and North Carolina. The recipient of the award will be announced at the Sunbelt Expo on Tuesday, October 19, in Moultrie, Ga. We wish Mr. Thrailkill good luck at the Expo! FEATURED MEMBERS Charlie Phillips inspects a newly planted clam field. Take One Georgia Aquatic Farmer; Add a South Carolina Forage Grass Farmer and You Get AgSouth Surf and Turf! Member Joe Gallagher owns one of the area’s largest forage grass farms. Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 9 FEATURED MEMBERS Brunswick Area Clam Farmer Hits Pay Dirt When He’s Up to His Knees in Mud! By Rhonda Uzzolino, Marketing Manager Pelican Point provides dockage for fishing vessels. McIntosh, Ga., resident, Charlie Phillips, is happiest when he’s up to his knees in the mud bogs at low tide on the Intercoastal Waterway checking his clam beds. He doesn’t mind the mud - it washes off - but the freedom of owning his own business and roaming through the salty marshes with the wind in his hair - that stays. Charlie and his family moved from Jesup to coastal McIntosh County more than 35 years ago. His father, Myron Phillips, sold a feed mill and moved the family to a cottage on the Sapelo River near Crescent, Ga. Myron went out on a shrimp boat with a friend one day and, after a good catch, caught “shrimp fever.” That half-day trip was the beginning of what is now a multi-faceted, family-owned aquatic and aquaculture business. Phillips Seafood is a wholesale seafood distributor that provides dockage and supplies for area shrimpers and fishermen and purchases their catches. Pelican Point Restaurant, owned by Myron Phillips, is located adjacent to the dock and is famous for its fresh seafood. Sapelo Sea Farms grows and sells “hard” clams (mercenaria mercenaria) in the wholesale market. Myron started Phillips Seafood and Pelican Point Restaurant years ago. He sold Phillips Seafood to Charlie a few years back and now operates the restaurant, while Charlie runs Phillips Seafood and Sapelo Sea Farms. Charlie himself has been an aquatic farmer since 1975. Most of his business comes from his clams, but he also harvests shrimp, red snapper, king mackerel, shark, grouper and sea bass. Like any other farmer, Phillips sees the need for diversification, even in the aquatic industry. During his 30 years in the business, Phillips has seen the price 10 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader of seafood fluctuate just like any other agricultural commodity. Now, he says, what are in demand are cheaper fish like amberjack, as well as top quality domestic fish like grouper and vermillion snapper. Phillips and his former partner, Roger DeWitt, started Sapelo Sea Farms in 1996, with the purchase of Fourmile Island, one of the few islands surrounding historic Brunswick that was available for purchase; most of the islands are government-owned to protect the natural habitat that survives in these Intercoastal areas. A few years later, with the help of AgSouth, Phillips bought out his partner’s interest in the clam business, and now has five full-time employees working for him. “I like working with AgSouth because they know agriculture. Their knowledge makes AgSouth easier to work with than other lenders,” says Phillips. DeWitt maintains a half interest in the island and has his own clam business. The former partners are now working together with the Extension Service to find better ways to grow and harvest shellfish. They are also discussing the possibility of venturing into the oyster business. In addition to being a co-owner of Fourmile Island and owning the right to harvest the island’s shellfish, Phillips also owns the rights to harvest the wild clams that grow on other nearby mud flats. These wild clams make up approximately 15-20% of his clam sales. Sapelo Sea Farms sells clams and other types of seafood up and down the East Coast from Florida to Canada. Phillips is only one of a dozen Georgialicensed clam farmers, and one of the largest in the state. Phillips credits his good fortune in part to the extension agents at the University of Georgia, who came to him and DeWitt and asked whether they wanted to try growing clams. The agents taught them how to grow the clams in the warm Georgia waters. Because there are no chemical treatments available for the shellfish, most years Phillips is lucky to get a 60% yield. The only protection he can provide for his crop is to cover the clams with fine netting to protect them from such natural predators as stingrays, crabs and conches. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, agriculture is one of the top ten most dangerous jobs in the United States; fishing is ranked at number two. Phillips admits to having been in many dangerous situations, even in the “shallow” coastal waters. “The best thing you can do when you’re on the ocean is to respect her. You never know when a sudden storm might come up,” he says. “I watch the weather and then just go with the flow. I’ve learned never to fight the tide. It’s like fighting a woman - you just can’t turn either one.” One of the waterways leading to Fourmile Island. The white rings around the outside of a clam indicate how fast it is growing. Phillips grabs a handful of wild clams and emerges with a variety of little necks, cherry necks and top necks. Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 11 FEATURED MEMBERS Allendale County Farmer Finds Profit in Foraging By Ernie Avant, Regional Vice President AgSouth member Joe Gallagher (Right) discusses the forage business with AgSouth Regional Vice President, Ernie Avant at the “world headquarters” of Gallagher Forage Grass Farms. When Allendale County AgSouth member Joe Gallagher is not out rescuing damsels in distress (i.e., AgSouth employees who get their vehicles stuck in the mud trying to photograph wet fields), you can find him in what he calls the “world headquarters” of Forage Grass Farms, a one-room office he added to his farm warehouse when he outgrew his home office. On the way to the office, you’ll find Gallagher’s collection of neon signs, which has been a hobby of his for many years. Inside the small headquarters are a computer, a desk and a small bench for guests (“not for napping,” insists Gallagher, “there’s no time for that.”) But don’t let the size of the office fool you. Forage Grass Farms is one of the area’s largest suppliers of forage grasses. Gallagher digs sprigs from more than 17,000 acres of Coastal Bermuda and other grazing grasses. According to him, it takes three years for the Bermuda sprigs to grow back to a sellable size. If the grass is harvested before that time, the roots are too weak to ensure a successful transplant. Since quality is the key to a quick stand of Bermuda, a field is dug only once 12 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader every four years. As an added benefit, digging the sprigs is beneficial to the health of the stand of Bermuda grass. Gallagher began the operation in 1986, working part time to meet local forage needs. After 10 years spent working as a manager for Goldkist Fertilizer, and working in the forage grass business part time, Gallagher decided to become a full-time grass planter. That decision turned out to be a good one. He says that the timing was perfect for an area forage grass business. Small row crop farmers, as well as the larger South Carolina tobacco farms, were being converted into cattle farms, and many came to Gallagher for their grazing needs. When he was working in the forage business part time, Gallagher borrowed equipment as it was needed. But soon the business had grown so much that he found that he had to purchase his own planter and digger. He sought financial advice from friend Pat Chappell, who, at the time, was on Farm Credit’s board of directors. Chappell told Gallagher that the people at Farm Credit were the ones to see for any agricultural financing. Gallagher set up an appointment with then loan officer Gene McCutchen and has been an association member ever since. “I can go to a local bank for fast money any time,” says Gallagher, “but I like the idea of a structured payment with a fixed rate. The folks at Farm Credit understand farming and know the questions to ask to keep a farmer from getting in over his head. Most banks are in and out of the farming business, but Farm Credit is always there. They are great people to work with.” What began as a part-time venture has turned into a year-round custom forage service operation. Gallagher now has two planting crews that plant Bermuda grass in South Carolina, as well as North Carolina and Georgia. Over the years Gallagher has diversified his operation by adding Christmas tree production and sales, and, beginning this year, pine straw harvesting and sales. In his “spare time,” Gallagher works from the “mobile command center” - either his pickup truck or four-wheeler ATV - taking soil samples for farmers in three counties and making fertilizer recommendations for more than 18,000 acres of row crops. This line of business dates from the time he spent with Goldkist as an ag supply salesman and the won trust of the local farmers with his expertise. Gallagher credits much of his success to good timing and “having the best people in the universe working for me, including the folks at Farm Credit.” “Most banks are in and out of the farming business, but Farm Credit is always there. They are great people to work with.” One of Gallagher’s Bermuda fields shows recently harvested grass, as well as 1-year-old and 2-year-old grasses in various stages of growth. This field, picked only two weeks before, sprouts new growth quickly with the help of the mid-summer rain. Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 13 2004 Young Couples Cooperative Conference By Miriam Pflug, Marketing Manager November 12-14, Myrtle Beach, S.C. S ched Frida ule o y, If you are an AgSouth member between the ages of 20 and 40 and would like to f Eve 3:00 Novemb er 12 nts Arriva learn more about the advantages of doing business with cooperatives, you may be l&C h C 6:00 eck-in onfer interested in attending the 2004 Cooperative Educational Conference for Young Welc ence Reg o m Couples. e Rec istration Satu eptio r d n&B The conference is sponsored by the South Carolina, Georgia and North 7:30 ay, Nove anqu mber et Break 8:30 Carolina Cooperative Councils. Last year’s conference provided an opportunity fast B 13 O uffet penin for 18 couples from the tri-state area to learn more about the cooperatives they * Coo g Genera l p do business with every day and how co-ops differ from typical businesses. * Elec erative Pr Session 10:15 in t r ciples ic Co Couples attending this year’s conference will have the same opportunity to Small 11:45 Grou operatives & Practic p Lunc es 1:00 learn about their cooperatives, plus an occasion to exchange information h Buf Sessions fet S w 2 m it : 3 a h 0 and ideas with other cooperative members and leaders. ll G Coop erativ Grou roup Ses 2:45 p Pho e Len sions The 2004 conference will be held November 12 -14 at Ocean Creek, ders tos Free w 5:30 it h Co T im opera e a 57-acre resort and conference center in Myrtle Beach, S.C.. The resort Grou t iv p Din e Len ner & ders Sund is just a short walk to some of South Carolina’s finest beaches, and Show ay, N o 8 v : 0 e overnight accommodations are in one-bedroom villas adjacent to the 0 m Break ber 14 9:00 f conference center and indoor swimming pool. The resort is across Devo ast Buffet 11:00 tio the street from Barefoot Landing, a popular shopping destination for Adjou n and Clo rn sing Gene tourists, and home of the House of Blues, where a group dinner will ral Se ssion be held on Saturday night. If you and your spouse are interested in having AgSouth Farm Credit sponsor you for this event and are between the ages of 20 and 40, please complete the attached form by Friday, August 20, 2004, and send it to Miriam Pflug, Marketing Manager, AgSouth Farm Credit, PO Box 4966, Spartanburg S.C. 29305-4966. 2004 Young Couples Cooperative Conference Sponsorship Form Return to Miriam Pflug, Marketing Manager, AgSouth Farm Credit, PO Box 4966, Spartanburg S.C. 29305-4966, by Friday, August 20, 2004 Name of Husband ______________________________________ Age _____ Name of Wife ______________________________________ Age _____ Mailing Address __________________________________________City ___________________________________ State _____ Zip _____________ Home Phone ________________________________ Work Phone ________________________________ Email ______________________________ Cooperatives with which you are or have done business: Dairy Farm Supply Telephone Electric Farm Credit Other ________________________________________________________ Community Leadership and Development Organization __________________________________________________ Positions Held _________________________________________________ Accomplishments and Awards (If necessary, continue on attached pages) ________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Description of Agricultural Operation, if applicable:________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Husband’s Occupation: ___________________________________________ Wife’s Occupation:_____________________________________________ 14 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader EXTENSION AGENTS NEWS FORUM S.C Junior Beef Round Up to be Held July 31-August 1 By Dr. John W. Irwin, Extension Animal Scientist, Clemson University The S.C. Junior Beef Round Up is scheduled for Saturday, July 31, and Sunday, August 1, 2004, at the T. Ed Garrison Arena in Clemson, S.C. This year’s Round Up will again feature scholarship competitions, showmanship and breed shows, the beef sales talk competition and the junior cattlemen’s contest. The S.C. Junior Beef Round Up is a family-oriented event. Last year’s event drew 260 youth exhibitors and over 400 head of cattle. The Round Up is supported by various agribusinesses and associations, such as the S.C. Cattlemen’s Association. AgSouth Farm Credit is proud to be a cosponsor of this young farmer event. The 18th S.C. Junior Beef Round Up promises to be a fun experience for the entire family. The following beef breed shows will be conducted at the 2004 show: Angus, Brangus, Belted Galloway, Charolais, Crossbreds, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Red Angus, Santa Gertrudis, Shorthorn, Simmental, S.C. Feeder Steers and Texas Longhorn. Please join AgSouth in supporting South Carolina’s premier family-oriented livestock event, the S.C. Junior Beef Round Up. For more information, contact Clemson University’s Cooperative Extension Service at 864-984-2514. The high scoring novice division team from 2003 (From the left): Patrick McGill (son of AgSouth members, Steven and Laura McGill, of Iva), Austin Groce (Fountain Inn), Steven Meadows (son of AgSouth member, Steven E. Meadows, from Blackville) and Corbin Yon (Ridge Spring). Stop Surfing the Web! Get all the information you need at www.agsouthfc.com If you haven’t visited AgSouth’s website lately, get ready for a big change. The new website is more informative than ever. You can still obtain information on AgSouth’s products and mortgage rates, get past and current issues of the Leader online and access your loan information. However, new features allow you to obtain the weather conditions specific to your ZIP code, as well as the latest in market and commodity news - all with the click of a button. Make www.agsouthfc.com your home page, and you’ll never have to go surfing for ag news or information again! Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 15 Alexander’s soil amendment, Clay’s Helper, is ready for retail. EXTENSION AGENTS NEWS FORUM Farm Statistics in AgSouth’s Service Area By Wes Harris, Special Projects Coordinator, Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, The University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Number of Farms Policy development and economic strategy necessitate the characterization major occupations (excludes limited resource farms whose operators and classification of farms. With the merger of AgSouth and Palmetto Farm report farming as their major occupations). Credits earlier this year, the new territory is greatly diversified with respect • Farming occupation/higher sales — Small farms with sales from to farm sizes and sales. $100,000 to $249,999 whose operators report farming as their major Based on the 2002 Census data, the ag industry in AgSouth’s territory occupations. is very representative of farming in the southeast. Southeastern farms are • Large family farms — Farms with sales from $250,000 to $499,999. highly diverse in physical and production traits. Agricultural production • Very large family farms — Farms with sales of $500,000 or more. is concentrated in large and very large farms, although small farms • Non-family farms — Farms organized as non-family corporations or produce substantial amounts of individual commodities. Small farms hold cooperatives, as well as farms operated by hired managers. approximately two-thirds of all farm assets, including land. Understanding these characteristics is useful in defining AgSouth’s Since 1850, when minimum criteria defining a farm for Census territory. According to the 2002 Census, AgSouth’s service area has a total purposes were first established, the definition of what a farm is has changed of 36,226 farms (Chart 1). Farms with less than 180 acres represent 77% of with the growth and ideas of the nation. A farm is currently defined, all farms in the association’s territory. The high proportion of the number for statistical purposes, as “any place from which $1,000 or more of of smaller acreage farms shows a strong division of land ownership. This agricultural products (crops and livestock) were sold or normally would would indicate a large base of people that are impacted by policy and have been sold during the year under consideration.” economic implications within AgSouth’s agricultural community. A typology has been created by the USDA’s Economic Research Chart 2 illustrates AgSouth’s service area farms by volume of sales. Service based on the occupation and sales class of farms. This method Farms with sales volume under $2,500 per year make up the bulk of this provides a better definition of “family type” farms. The report identifies category. There are 20,373 farms, or 56%, that fall below this annual five groups of small family farms (sales < $250,000): limited resource; sales volume, meaning that most of these farms fall into the limited retirement; residential/lifestyle; farming occupation/lower sales; and resource, farming occupation/lower sales, retirement or residential/lifestyle farming occupation/higher sales. To cover the remaining farms, the categories. Although sales volume may be quite low with these farms, the typology identifies large family farms, very large family farms and non-family farms. • Limited resource — A small farm Chart 1 - AgSouth Service Area Farm Size with gross sales < $100,000, total farm assets < $150,000 and total operator 14000 household income < $20,000. Limited resource farmers may report farming, 12000 non-farm occupations or retirement as their major occupations. 10000 • Retirement — Small farms whose operators are retired (excludes limited 8000 resource farms operated by retired 6000 farmers). • Residential/lifestyle — Small 4000 farms whose operators report major occupations other than farming 2000 (excludes limited resource farms with operators reporting non-farm major 0 occupations). 1-9 10-49 50-179 180-499 500-999 1000+ • Farming occupation/lower sales Farm Size in Acres — Small farms with sales < $100,000 whose operators report farming as their 16 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader $1 00 ,0 00 + 00 0: 99 ,9 99 $5 0, 00 0: 49 ,9 99 $2 5, 00 0: 24 ,9 99 $1 0, 00 :9 ,9 99 $5 ,0 00 :4 ,9 99 Number of Farms $2 ,5 >$ 2, 50 0 Number of Farms investment in property can be quite significant. There are 2,475 farms with annual farm sales above $100,000, comprising 7% of all farms in the service area. These farms are classified as farming occupation/ higher sales, large family farms or very large family farms, with a few Chart 2 - AgSouth Service Area Farms By Sales non-family farms. Chart 3 illustrates the highest 25000 annual sales volume of farms in AgSouth’s service area. Farms with sales of more than $250,000 20000 per year totaled 1,668, or 5%, of the farms in the area. These farms are large family farms or very 15000 large family farms, with a small number of non-family farms. Large sales volume farms span many 10000 commodities. Poultry operations, which are vertically integrated, can be very large family farms, 5000 but occupy minimal acreage. High value crops such as nursery, turf and some produce also may 0 have a smaller acreage base than the traditional commodity farms. Obviously, large and very large family farms that are row crop-, dairy-, and/or livestock-oriented Annual Farm Sales must work very large acreages. Expenses on these types of farms range above 90% of the sales volume. To summarize, the AgSouth service area farm structure is a diversified base both in commodity production and size distribution. The large number of farms provides an opportunity to create a reasonably stable portfolio, particularly when most of the farms do not rely primarily on farm income. The higher risk commercial operations Chart 3 - AgSouth Service Area Large Farms by Sales involve large operational expenses, but with comprehensive analysis 1200 of each farm loan, the risks can be reduced. The specialization required by association personnel 1000 is paramount to the successful working relationship with these 800 high dollar operations. As the farm economy continues to improve 600 for the large to very large family farms, the potential for net income 400 for all parts of the agricultural support system is enhanced. This 200 is certainly good news for all of AgSouth’s patrons. 0 $100-249 $250-499 $500+ Farm Sales (1,000s) Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 17 The 2002 Ag Census Results are Now Available On-Line Who is the average American farmer? According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, the average American farmer is 55 years old and has farmed for nearly 21 years. He has 441 acres and makes over $97,000 in total sales (including government payments), with a total net cash farm income of just over $19,000. These are just some of the facts revealed in the recently published survey. The survey also makes note of the fact that more women and minorities are becoming principal ag operators. More of the interesting facts revealed by the 2002 Census include: • While farmers spent 5.2% more in livestock and poultry purchases, interestingly enough, the largest decrease in farm expenses was in feed purchases, which fell by 3%. • The estimated value of land and improvements increased from $967 to $1,213 per acre. • 90% of America’s farms were family-owned. • 50% of operators had Internet access, and 39% used the computer for business-related activities. How do Georgia and South Carolina farmers stand in relation to the national statistics? To read the Census in full, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov/census. 18 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader LEGAL ISSUES LAURA HARRIMAN WHEATON Employment Law Basics for Farmers By Laura Harriman Wheaton, Brown Rountree & Stewart PC A perennial concern to farmers is how to secure labor for the annual tasks of planting, cultivating and harvesting. Another concern is whether or not to employ those who perform these tasks or to contract with someone else to provide labor. While it may not appear at first glance that there is much difference between these two options; legally, there is a vast difference. When you employ someone, you have the right to control every facet of that person’s work- the hours, what he or she does and how the person does it. However, you also incur responsibilities, obligations and expenses such as Social Security and tort liability. On the other hand, an independent contractor relationship gives you less control, but also affords you less liability exposure. While you can specify in your contract about how the work will be performed, you lose the power to control the specific details of the work. However, you also do not have to worry about the obligations and liabilities. Problems can arise if you think you have hired a farm labor contractor to provide labor for your farm but legally you are the employer of the labor contractor or the joint employer of those hired by the labor contractor. Farmers can be especially vulnerable for minimum wage and overtime pay because laborers are often paid by the piece rather than by the hour. So how do you know if you are an employer or not? In Georgia, you are an employer if you control the time, manner, and method of the work. The federal test is broader in that a court considers several factors. These include control, supervision, and permanency of the relationship, skill level of the job, provision of equipment and whether Social Security is paid. Here are some guidelines to ensure your labor contractor is a really a contractor: • Do not take out Social Security from what you pay the contractor. Let the contractor pay the workers. Make sure the contractor receives a 1099 form from you rather than a W-2. • Do not overly supervise or control the work. You may tell the contractor which fields need to be picked on what days and in what order, but you cross the line if you otherwise try to run the operation. Telling a worker what to do through the contractor or supervisor is still considered supervision. However, you are allowed to evaluate the work periodically to ensure that it is being performed according to your specifications. that doing so is one of the terms of the deal. You can also retain the right to verify that the contractor is obeying the law. • Use a written contract that specifically defines the job and its parameters. A more general contract indicates an employer/ employee relationship. Employment laws can be very subtle and complex. If you have any questions about whether or not you are an employer or which laws may apply to you, it is best to hire an attorney to evaluate your specific situation. This column is not to be considered legal advice or to be considered an alternative to contacting your own lawyer on these matters. • Let the contractor handle the tax and immigration paperwork and provide Workers Compensation and insurance. If you are concerned that the contractor may not be following state and federal law, make it clear Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 19 Spalding County Farm Day Provides Opportunity for First-Graders to Learn about Farming By Harry King, Commercial Loan Officer Bobby Ogletree, an AgSouth member, takes a group on a hay ride. Hundreds of elementary school children turned out for the Spalding County Farm Day at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds in Griffin, Ga., on May 11. This annual event provides an opportunity for those involved in agriculture to teach first graders where they get many of the products they use every day. The children got an up-close view of many farm animals brought to the fairgrounds by area farmers: goats, dairy calves, a 1,000pound steer, hogs, a quarter horse, a Shetland pony, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits and even honey bees in the hive. The group of 6- and 7-year-olds learned the individual roles each animal plays in producing food and/or materials for clothing. The first-graders also had a chance to examine a row-crop garden and see wheat growing. The highlight of the day’s event was a hayride on a tractor-pulled wagon driven by AgSouth member, Bobby Ogletree. Another AgSouth member, Julian Jones, showed the children two pullets and talked about what it takes to raise over 100,000 chickens per year. AgSouth Vice President Ricky Grice served as a group leader, taking four different groups of children around to each station. According to Grice, “Most of the kids were fascinated to learn about the work that goes on behind the foods they eat and the clothes they wear. They were particularly interested in discovering that the grains of wheat they were holding in their hands were eventually made into doughnuts and biscuits and that the leather sneakers most of them wore were made from cow hides.” The children line up to see the geese. AgSouth Vice President Ricky Grice with a group of first graders and Dan, a Belgium draft horse. 20 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader Tell a friend about the great financing and outstanding personal service you receive from AgSouth. When that friend becomes a customer, you will receive your choice of a jacket or a check for $100! More importantly, you’ll be doing your friends a favor by introducing them to the experts in rural finance. For more than 85 years, Farm Credit has been lending money to farmers and those who live in the country. We know about farming, buying land, raising livestock, and all the unique situations that arise when you purchase property outside of the city. For all of your financing needs, tell your friends that AgSouth has a wide selection of terms, rates, and products. Home mortgages, land or farm purchases, new construction, remodeling, horses & livestock, barns, equipment, leasing and operating lines of credit are just a few examples of the products we offer. It’s easy to refer a friend to AgSouth. Simply fill out the referral form and mail it to us, or give us a call with the information at 866-585-6234. With AgSouth’s great personal service and nohassle loan process, your friend will thank you for the good advice. Refer someone who is not a member to AgSouth, and if that referral results in a new loan or lease of $10,000 or more, you will receive an AgSouth jacket or $100 to use any way you like.* This card introduces: (PLEASE PRINT) Name ______________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________ County ________________________________ Phone_______________________________ If eligible, I would like: q A Farm Credit jacket (Circle Size: S M L XL XXL) q A Check for $100 Please give this prospective customer every consideration and courtesy for available loan products. *Loans subject to RESPA regulations are prohibited from inclusion in this promotion. Referred by_________________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ SS#___________________________________________ Date____________ Phone________________________ Complete this card and either mail or Branch________________________________________ drop it by your local AgSouth branch. Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 21 MEET AGSOUTH’S DIRECTORS Jones (Right) reminisces with AgSouth Vice President Stacy Nobles on the front porch of his birthplace, which still rests on Jones’ land. Meet AgSouth’s Directors In our Spring issue, we began introducing you to AgSouth’s board of directors with stories on Gary Alexander (South Carolina) and Harvey Lemmon (Georgia). We plan to continue this series so that you will get to know your board members and the impact that their combined years of agricultural experience has on the operation of your association. The directors will be presented in no particular order, but we will attempt to showcase a director from both Georgia and South Carolina in forthcoming issues. 22 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader Director Arthur Black shows AgSouth Regional Vice President Karen Baxley what qualities to look for in a good peach. MEET AGSOUTH’S DIRECTORS Eugene Jones, Wayne County, Georgia By Stacy Nobles, Commercial Loan Officer ACA director Eugene “Gene” Jones and his wife Dorothy have been farming together on Jones’ family land for more than 40 years. Jones inherited a portion of his father’s 715acre farm in Wayne County, Ga., and eventually bought more of the surrounding property. The Jones now own 400 acres, a portion of which Gene leases for row crop farming. Planted pines cover 80 acres of the property. Gene says that they raise cattle on “whatever is left of the 110 remaining acres Dorothy has not confiscated for her everexpanding flower garden.” Dorothy has been a “hobby gardener” for years, and the acreage surrounding the house is overflowing with flowers and bushes so that something is almost always blooming yearround. If you have questions on anything from lantana, roses, day lilies, daisies, ornamental grasses - to just about anything that grows in Georgia Jones raises Limousin and Angus cattle on his Wayne County, Ga., farm. Dorothy and Eugene Jones in front of the entrance to the backyard garden. soil - Dorothy is the person to go to for advice. Before retiring to her flowerbeds, she ran the nearby Quick Stop for 12 years. Prior to that, she managed the locally famous Reedy Creek Restaurant. Established by the Jones family in 1972, the restaurant was the first of its kind in the area to offer patrons a fresh salad bar. After nearly 30 years in the food service industry, the family sold the restaurant in 2000, but still eats there quite often. When the Jones established Reedy Creek Restaurant, they earned a reputation for fresh-off-the-farm good country cooking, and that reputation still stands today. Gene worked on his father’s farm from the time he was a young boy until it was time to go to college. During his childhood, the family raised mostly row crops, which they took to the markets in Jacksonville, Fl., or Atlanta, Ga. Jones remembers the back-breaking work of hand-picking 100 acres of cotton, and was very grateful the day the family purchased a Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 23 MEET AGSOUTH’S DIRECTORS One of Jones’ Angus bulls grazes in the pasture. cotton picker. After two years of pre-med (he intended to become a veterinarian), he returned home to help with the farm. In 1954 he was hired by Rayonier and began to work on the farm part time. After retiring from Rayonier, Jones returned to full-time farming. Today Jones raises both Angus and Limousin cattle. He has 37 Limousin heifers and 2 bulls, which, he jokes, “makes the bulls very happy.” When we arrived at the farm in June, the Limousin heifers had recently given birth to 37 calves. He has another 30 or so Angus heifers. To this date, Jones still takes care of the cattle himself, giving them their shots, checking for illness or infection and supervising the mating. It’s apparent that his love for animals never left him. The Jones’ sons are also in farming. Gene, Jr., helps out on the family farm, and son, Pat, has a high-rise layer house nearby. Their two girls, Terri and Pam, used to help out on the farm, but are now busy raising their families instead of crops. Gene and Dorothy don’t mind, though. Together their four children have blessed them with eight grandchildren, who keep their grandparents very busy. Grandson Ryan Aldridge attended Middle Georgia Junior College, where he was a star baseball pitcher, leading all of the national junior colleges in strikeouts. After turning down offers from the Atlanta Braves and the Yankees to finish school, Ryan was recently drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the major league baseball draft. He has consequently signed a contract and will be playing for the Angels minor league affiliate in Mesa, Arizona. When they’re not on the farm or attending O’Quinn Baptist Church, where Gene has served as a deacon for the past 12 years, Gene and Dorothy love nothing better than heading out to their Lake George cabin. There, Gene hunts and fishes to his heart’s content. While Dorothy does not join her husband in hunting, she does share his love 24 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader “This generation of farmers has seen more changes in agriculture than any other generation, and I think it’s smart to do business with someone who knows something about yours. I’ve borrowed from other lenders in the past, but you just can’t find a better deal than at AgSouth.” of fishing and the outdoors. Thanks to grandson Ryan, their future plans probably include a lot of traveling. Jones originally heard about Farm Credit (then the Federal Land Bank) in the 1970’s from friend and long-time ACA director, Kenneth Bennett. The two serve together on the Satilla River Soil and Water Conservation District Board. Jones has served on AgSouth’s board since 1979. When we asked him what he liked about AgSouth, Jones replied, “Working with Stacy Nobles and Theron Anderson has been a real blessing. This generation of farmers has seen more changes in agriculture than any other generation, and I think it’s smart to do business with someone who knows something about yours. Being on AgSouth’s board of directors has made me aware of what a cooperative has to do in order to make quality loans to keep the company profitable and continue paying dividends to its members. I’ve borrowed from other lenders in the past, but you just can’t find a better deal than at AgSouth.” MEET AGSOUTH’S DIRECTORS Arthur Black, York County, South Carolina By Karen Baxley, Regional Vice President If your mouth is watering for some of the freshest and finest summer vegetables around, then Black’s Peach Farm in York County, S.C., is where you need to be. Set back on rolling hills right off of Highway 5 near York, S.C., Black’s Peach Farm offers more than 30 varieties of peaches. AgSouth member and Director, Arthur Q. Black, is the owner and operator of the farm, originally established in 1923 by his grandfather, Arthur Lindsey Black. The Blacks were one of the first families in York County to grow peaches as a commercial crop. They started with 25 acres and gradually expanded the crop to its present 100 acres. Black’s Peach Farm is now one of the largest peach farms in the county, selling the crop not only at the York County produce stand, but also in Chester County and three stands in nearby North Carolina. Black also grows strawberries, tomatoes, okra, hay, soybeans, wheat, pumpkins, apples and watermelon on the farm. Additionally, he has approximately 10,000-planted trees. With all the rain and mild weather the area has experienced this year, he says that his summer crop is one of the best he’s had in a number of years. Arthur Black graduated from Clemson University in 1972 with a degree in animal science. He planned to eventually add livestock to the farm, but the peach business was so successful that he had little time to expand into livestock ventures. During peak season, Black has approximately 20 employees who help in all phases of the operation - from planting and picking, to selling at his local produce stand, to boxing and hauling the crops for sale in other areas. With summer crops as his main staple, Black is busiest from May through September of each year, but there’s always something Arthur Black Slices open the perfect peach. Black’s peaches are some of the best in the county. Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 25 MEET AGSOUTH’S DIRECTORS to do when you have as diversified an operation as his. In the fall, Black runs a pick-your-own apple and pumpkin operation and offers wagon rides and tours to school groups. In the summer, he harvests his staple crops and also makes homemade ice cream from fruit grown on the farm. To churn the ice cream, he uses an old-fashioned churn run by a 1917 John Deere engine. He began manufacturing ice cream only this year and has been so successful so far, that his son is now taking the Black Family ice cream to area trade and farm shows. In December of each year, Black and his friends host a huge Christmas party, where they serve oysters, pit-turned pork and fixins to approximately 500 locals. Black says they do this as a way of saying “thanks” for the business and support they receive from the community. The event’s highlight is a big fireworks display at the end of the night. Black serves as an officer of his church, is on the local planning commission and is an ASCS officer. You could say that he likes to stay involved in programs that affect his community and business. That’s one of the reasons he ran for the Farm Credit board of directors. His aunt, Margaret Bell, worked for the old Federal Land Bank and told him about the organization. He became a member 20 years ago because he “wanted to do business with a company that understood agriculture,” and has spent the last 9 years as a director. “Being a director,” says Black, “has helped me better understand the Tomatoes and other farm fresh produce are sold at Black’s market. “Being a director has helped me better understand the interaction between the lending business and farming.” interaction between the lending business and farming.” After touring the operation, Black took us to an immaculate 80+-year-old home adjacent to the produce stand, where we were delighted to meet his mother, Mrs. Rogers, who has lived in the house for more than 60 years. Her husband was born in the house, as were her children. A widow for more than 20 years, she still makes lunch for whoever happens to pop in that day - that is, when she’s not out playing Rook with the “girls.” Ma Rogers may have one guest or 10, but that doesn’t faze her. After 60 years on the farm, she knows how to stretch a meal if necessary. As one of the guests who just happened to be there at lunchtime (we were joined by Arthur’s brother and nephew), I was treated to fresh pole beans, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, pork loin, homemade biscuits and, of course, a fresh peach cobbler. If every tour of Black’s Peach Farm ended that way, he would soon be out of peaches! Mrs. Rogers, we thank you for your oldfashioned Southern hospitality, and Mr. Black, we thank you for the fresh peaches and the tour. Black uses a 1917 John Deere engine to run his ice cream churn at area events. 26 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader Planning to Build a New Home? AgSouth Mortgages Has Just the Program You’ve Been Looking For! By: Quincy X. Miller, Mortgage Originator AgSouth Mortgages’ construction-to-permanent mortgage combines financing for the purchase of land, the construction of a new home and the permanent mortgage into one loan with one simple closing. Key Product Features • A one-time-closing without the risk of rising interest rates affecting the permanent loan • Primary, secondary and investment properties are eligible • Up to 95% financing on eligible properties • Only one set of closing costs and related fees • Borrower can lock in interest rate for the full term of the mortgage before construction begins • Qualifying loans up to $333,700 • 6-, 9- and 12-month construction periods available Eligible Properties Purchase your land, build your home and finance your permanent mortgage with one simple closing • One- or two-unit primary homes; one-unit secondary homes or investment properties • Stick-built, modular housing and log homes • Detached unit in a Planned Unit Development (PUD) For more information on the programs AgSouth Mortgages has to offer, please contact your local AgSouth office. Upcoming Stockholders Meetings Watch for your notices in the mail. Entertainment will be provided by Three on a String. November 09 November 15 November 16 November 18 Stockholder Mtg Thomaston, GA Stockholder Mtg Anderson, SC Stockholder Mtg Orangeburg, SC Stockholder Mtg Vidalia, GA | 6:30 pm | 6:30 pm | 6:30 pm | 6:30 pm Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 27 Manufacturers of Southern Pine Lumber Top prices for quality timber Consulting foresters available Steve Keadle President Homer Keadle Chairman Southern Yellow Pine Lumber Pallets & pallet parts 889 Railroad St, Thomaston GA 706-647-8982 (phone) * 706-647-1392 (fax) www.keadlelumber.com 28 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader AGSOUTH’S MARKET AgSouth’s Market Don’t forget to browse our website for more items. To add or delete something from AgSouth’s Market, please contact [email protected]. If you find what you’re looking for, contact your local AgSouth branch for financing! Real Estate Wanted 10-15 ac of vacant land in Paulding Co., Ga. Contact [email protected]. 1-5 ac for home in Newnan or Coweta Co., Ga. Contact [email protected]. 60+-year-old home w/acreage, pond or stream in or near Coweta Co., Ga. Outbuildings a plus. House must be sound and habitable, but willing to do cosmetic work. Contact [email protected]. 30-50 ac land/small farm/ranch in Morgan, Jasper, Greene or Walton Co., Ga. Contact [email protected]. 1- 20 ac w/water within 100-mile radius of Ware Co., Ga. Contact [email protected] or call Jim @ 912-2841571. Large tracts in SW Ga. or N FL from St. Marks, FL, to Panama City, FL, up to I-10. Does not need to be on Gulf. Hunting tracts, timberland, farms, plantations with/without improvements. Contact [email protected]. Small residential lots in Rockdale Co., Ga., w/sewer & utilities. Contact [email protected]. 1+ ac lots at Clark Hill, Ga. Lake frontage. Contact David @ 912-884-5130. 200-400 ac for planting in SE Ga. to buy or lease. Would consider buying used farm equipment & irrigation pivots. Contact Billy @ [email protected]. Established farm in Wilkes or Morgan Co., Ga., w/ minimum of 40 pasture/hay ac, suitable for horses & cattle. Contact [email protected]. 2-5 ac in Ware, Brantley or Pierce Co., Ga., suitable for mobile home. Have 2 horses & need plenty of room to ride. Barn and pasture preferable. Contact [email protected]. 1-10 ac suitable for home. Prefer small communities or rural area in Paulding, Cobb or Douglas Co., Ga. Contact Larry @ [email protected]. Real Estate for Sale 135 ac w/cabin managed year-round for deer. 5 miles from Ideal, Ga., near Montezuma. Beautiful hardwood ridges, pines & cutover. Managed food plots & internal roads. 5 ac beaver pond & creek. 1/2-mile road frontage 1 mile from the last B&C buck taken in Macon Co. $2,595/ac. Contact [email protected] or 404-545-8630. 7 ac in natural state in Jeff Davis Co., Ga. $2,500/ac. Contact [email protected] or Debra Walls @ (912) 253-9290. 6 broiler houses & home in Jones Co., Ga. Asking $600,000. 25 min from Macon, Ga. 1 hr 15 min from Atlanta, Ga. Contact Charlie @ 1-478-986-1521 or [email protected]. 90 ac w/house in Anderson Co., S.C., bordering Lake Hartwell. Access to additional 40 ac of Army Corps of Engineering property. 50% pasture; 50% woodlands. 10 ac fenced. 3 miles off I-85. 1 hr from Atlanta, Ga.; 35 min from Greenville, S.C.. Asking $450,000. Contact 864-314-5983 or 864-260-8739. Sil house poultry farm w/5 BR. Asking $600,000. Contact Charlie Richardson @ 478-986-1521 or [email protected]. 2,380 sq ft home on 3-1/2 ac. 4 BR;4 BA; large open LR; formal DR; wood-burning fireplace; custom-designed kitchen w/center island; breakfast nook. Great view of ponds. CHA. Extra room upstairs. Master BR w/large walk-in closet. Master B has his/her sinks w/large garden tub, separate shower. Lots of cabinets. 2-car garage, patio, complete alarm system. 2 stocked ponds front & back yards. Lots of privacy. $180,000.00. Contact [email protected]. Small home on 2 ac near Ware Co., Ga. Large LR and kitchen, 2 BR and 2 BA. Contact [email protected] or call 912-778-4890. Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 29 ������������������������ ��������������������������� ���������������������� �������� ���� ������������ ���� ����������� ������ ���� ������������� ����� ����������������������������������� ���������� ������ ��������� ������ ������������� ��������� ��������� ������ ������ ����� ����� ����� ������ ������ ����� ����� ������ ���������������������� � ��������� � ��������� ����������� ����������������������������������������� ������������������������ ������������������������ ������������������������������������������� ������������������������� ����������������� ����������� ������ ��� ����� ����� ����� � ������� ����� ����� ����� ����� ������ ��������� ��������� ��������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� �������������������� ������������ ��������������������������� � ����� ������������������������������ ��������������� ������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ����������������� ������������ �������������� ��������������������������������������������� ����� ����� ����� ����� ������ ������ �������� ������ ������ �������� ������������������������������� ������� ������� � ��������� � ��������� ��� ��� ����������������������������������������������� 30 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader ������������������������ ��������������������������������� �������������� ���������������������� ��������������� ����� ���������������������� �������������� ���� ���� �������������������� �������������� ���� ���� ��������� �� ������ �� ������ � ������ ����� ����� ������ ������ ������������������� ����������� ��������������������������������������� ������ ��������� � �������� ���� ������ ��� ����������������������������������� �������������������������������� ����������� ��������� �������� ������ ��� �� ������ ��� �������� �� ����� ��� ����� ��� ����� ��������� ����� ����� ���������������� ����������������� ��������������������������� ������������������ ��������� ������������������������������������� ���������������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������ ����������������������������� ����������������������� ����������������������� ������������������������ �� ���������� �� ����� ��� ���� ��������� ��������� ��� ��� ��� ��� ���������������������������������� ����� ����� ����� ����� ������������������� ������������������������������ ����������������������� ���������������������� ������������������������ �������������������� ����� ��� ��� ����� ����� ��������� ������ ��� ��������� ��������� � ����� ��� ��� ����� ����� ����� ��� ��� ����� � ����������� ����� ������ ������ ����� �� ������ � ��������� � ������ ����������������������������������� ��������������������������� ������������������������������������ ����������� ����� �� ���������� ����� ����������� ��������� The shareholders’ investment in the association is materially affected by the financial condition and results of operations of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank. Copies of AgFirst’s quarterly and annual financial reports to shareholders are available free of charge at www.agfirst.com, or by writing to AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, Financial Reporting Department, P.O. Box 1499, Columbia, SC 29202-1499. Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader | 31 There’s more to life than work... and shoes and socks are optional. With rates still the lowest they’ve been in years, there’s never been a better time to buy that rural property or country home you’ve been dreaming of, so stop dreaming and start doing. Loans and leases for rural America: farmland, livestock, rural property, home construction, home purchases, and much more! AgSouth Farm Credit P.O. Box 718 Statesboro, GA 30459 32 | Summer 2004, AgSouth Leader 1.866.585.6234 www.agsouthfc.com PRSRT STD U.S POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA, S.C. PERMIT 785