Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Walker Burchfield as a loan officer in its Ruston, Louisiana branch office.
Burchfield holds a business management degree and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from Louisiana Tech.
A native of Clinton, Mississippi, Burchfield was a baseball player at Hinds Community College, Tulane University and Louisiana Tech.
Alicia Ledbetter joins Southern AgCredit as Human Resource Manager in its Ridgeland administrative office. Ledbetter holds an associate’s degree from Hinds Community College. She comes to Southern AgCredit with 8 years of human resource experience and earned her SHRM-CP in June 2020. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and the Capital Area Human Resource Association. She is also a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Banking.
Ledbetter is a native of Terry, Mississippi, and now resides in Vaughan with her husband, Kinch and their two daughters. She was most recently an Assistant Vice President of HR with a commercial bank.
Phillip Morgan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern AgCredit, a rural lender serving Mississippi and Louisiana, recently testified before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee hearing on Commodity Programs, Credit and Crop Insurance.
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss), ranking member of the Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade Subcommittee helped lead the two-part hearing. Part One of the hearing was held earlier last week and was focused on the perspective of ag producers and the need for a farm safety net. Part Two of the hearing, held last Thursday, featured a panel of rural lenders, crop insurance agents and providers. Both hearings were conducted in part to assist the Senate Agriculture Committee as it works on the new five-year farm bill. The 2018 Farm Bill expires on Sept. 30, 2023.
Morgan provided testimony on behalf of the Farm Credit Council in support of a strong farm bill.
“Agricultural producers in Mississippi and Louisiana need a strong farm bill, including a robust farm safety net, to manage the ongoing risks presented by weather, markets, supply chain pressures, rising input prices and declining profit margins,” said Morgan.
For complete coverage of the hearing and to download Morgan’s testimony, visit https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/hearings
Southern AgCredit, a rural financing cooperative, is pleased to announce its 2023 scholarship recipients. The co-op awarded a total of $23,000 in scholarships to 20 students.
To qualify, each applicant had to be a current Southern AgCredit borrower, or a current borrower’s child, grandchild or spouse. Selection criteria included academics, leadership, extracurricular activities and an essay by the student.
A total of 18 students each received a $1,000 scholarship.
In addition, Southern AgCredit awarded two recipients with $2,500 scholarships. These special scholarships honor two former longtime Southern AgCredit board members — Jimmie Dick Carter and Emery Skelton. They are awarded to deserving students who attend or are planning to attend Mississippi State University and major in agriculture or a related field.
Following are the recipients and the colleges they plan to attend or are currently attending.
$2500 – Jimmie Dick Carter Scholarship
Emma Grace Koger
Indianola, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
$2500 – Emery Skelton Scholarship
Georgia Neil
McCarley, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
$1000 – Scholarship recipients
Allison Claire Amis
Conehatta, Mississippi
East Central Community College
Aquinnah Claire Boerner
Brookhaven, Mississippi
University of Mississippi
Kerri S. Champagne
New Hebron, Mississippi
Colorado Christian University
Jaylynn Cloy
Wesson, Mississippi
Copiah Lincoln Community College
Amy Grace Estes
Wesson, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Gianna Rose Galdino
Summit, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Tate William Galey
Greenwood, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Tristen Herrington
Lucedale, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Sabra Hubbard
Mt. Olive, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Jackson Parke Lewis
Natchez, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Luke McKenzie
Clinton, Mississippi
Hinds Community College
Kyle S. Middleton
Magnolia, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Max Murrell
Madison, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Emma Jane Reeves
Simsboro, Louisiana
Louisiana Tech University
Bella Parker Roberts
Winona, Mississippi
Holmes Community College
Keleigh Jo Stigall
Anguilla, Mississippi
Mississippi Delta Community College
Madalyn Stringer
Bay Springs, Mississippi
Mississippi State University
Beau Williams
Osyka, Mississippi
Southwest Mississippi Community College
Congratulations to all of our recipients and we wish you the best of luck!
On Friday, March 24, 2023, tornadoes ripped through a small farming community in the Mississippi delta. Rolling Fork, a town in our servicing territory, was shattered.
Saturday morning the team at Southern AgCredit began making plans to provide relief to those affected by the deadly storms. They planned to provide hot meals to locals, first responders, or whoever needed it. The plan consisted of the large Southern AgCredit grill being pulled to Rolling Fork and grilling hamburgers, hotdogs, or chicken with side items and cold drinks.
This relief effort went on for 11 days in Rolling Fork and approximately 2,750 hot meals were served to those who needed them.
Southern AgCredit would like to thank Bobbie and Angie Casavechia, Tripp Cain with Taylor Rental and First South Farm Credit for helping in this relief effort.
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Southern AgCredit which will be held:
Tuesday, May 9th, 2023
Embassy Suites
200 Township Place
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Registration: 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Business Meeting: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The business session agenda for the meeting will include the following:
Customer Appreciation Dinner
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
306 Commerce Center Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Please call us toll free at (800) 449-5742 by May 1st and let us know if you can make it.
Benton and Kate Moseley are the owners and operators of Moseley Meadows, an agricultural-focused, family-friendly, agritourism farm in Madison County, Mississippi. The farm features a pumpkin patch, hayride, petting zoo, hay castles, corn pit, and other farm-related attractions. Currently, they are open every weekend in the month of October and their operation has become quite a popular place for families in the area to visit.
Benton grew up working on his family’s Christmas tree farm, Santa’s Choice, in Florence. The tree farm was a community favorite and Benton attributes his current success to learning the importance of hard work at an early age.
“I loved working on the Christmas tree farm. When I was 15 years old, my family expanded the farm and I was able to help them run the operation”, said Benton. “It’s been my lifelong dream to own my own land and run an operation of my own.”
Benton and Kate began Moseley Meadows in Florence and operated the farm on rented land. “We really wanted ownership of the land and also more of it to add more attractions”, said Kate. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a piece of land in Florence that would suit our goals for Moseley Meadows, so we started looking at other locations.”
The Moseleys found the perfect farm in Madison County and quickly jumped on the opportunity of owning it.
“There were other financing options, but we were not interested in any other lender besides Southern AgCredit,” said Kate. “It just made sense because Southern AgCredit understands agricultural financing, so it was a natural fit with our business”.
Benton knew Pate DeMuth, their loan officer at Southern AgCredit, through prior connections and reached out to Pate when they found the land that they wanted to purchase. “Pate has an ag background, and he understood our business model and our unique financing needs. He’s been amazing to work with,” said Benton.
The Moseleys have lofty goals and aspirations for Moseley Meadows. Their current focus is during the fall when pumpkins are in season, however, they plan to add other activities that can be enjoyed year-round.
“We want to offer more family-oriented, fun, safe, community events like farm-to-table dinners, farmers’ markets, and events tailored to educating the younger generation on how to grow food and fiber,” said Benton. “Also, I would love to have Christmas trees at the farm during December.”
Kate’s favorite part of the whole aspect is getting to watch Benton’s dreams and goals become a reality. She also gets to take part in something that brings families together. Not just families in their local community, but their own as well.
“When it’s pumpkin season, we all pitch in to help run the farm”, said Kate. “My parents are out on the farm working alongside us and my sister is helping by running our social media. Benton’s family helps us, too. I love that this farm has brought our families so much closer.”
Benton and Kate have been borrower-owners of Southern AgCredit since buying their Madison County farm in May of 2022.
Southern AgCredit recently hired Garren Berry as a loan officer in its Hattiesburg office. The rural lending cooperative specializes in financing land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Berry graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He started his professional career with Sanderson Farms in Hammond, Louisiana. Then Berry moved back to his hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi to work in outside sales for a sports apparel and equipment company.
He is married to his wife, Macie, who is originally from St. Louis, Missouri.
Southern AgCredit, a rural lender serving Mississippi and Louisiana, recently promoted twelve employees.
Michelle Breazeale was promoted to loan administrator supervisor. Breazeale holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from William Carey University. She joined Southern AgCredit in January 2013 as an office administrator in the Hattiesburg branch office. Breazeale resides in Sumrall with her husband, Matthew, and their 5 children.
Jamie Bowman was promoted to senior loan administrator. She began work at Southern AgCredit in 2013 as an office administrator and then was promoted to loan administrator in the Hattiesburg branch office. Prior to that, she was a mortgage processor for a local commercial bank and a legal assistant at an attorney’s office. Bowman is from Purvis and is married to her husband, Billy. They have one daughter, one son and daughter-in-law, and one grandchild.
Kelly Coleman was promoted to branch manager of the Ruston branch office. He joined Southern AgCredit in 2021 as a relationship manager. Coleman has over 35 years of lending experience. Before joining Southern AgCredit, he was a senior vice president and loan officer for a commercial bank in West Monroe. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Louisiana Tech University. Coleman resides in Ruston with his wife, Tralynn. They have six adult children and six grandchildren. He is also the senior pastor at Culbertson Baptist Church in nearby Farmerville.
Pate DeMuth was promoted to relationship manager. He joined Southern AgCredit in 2018 as a loan officer in the Ridgeland branch office. DeMuth holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering, technology, and business as well as a master’s degree in agribusiness management from Mississippi State University. He and his wife, Nora Grace, live in Raymond with their daughter.
Darlene Guyse was promoted to loan administrator. She joined Southern AgCredit in 2021 as an office administrator in the Newton branch office. Guyse has over 20 years of experience in administrative positions and office management. She is married to Christopher Guyse and together they have 4 children and three grandchildren. They live in Lake, Mississippi.
Brooks Hall was promoted to relationship manager. He joined the Association in 2021 as a loan officer in the Brookhaven branch office. Hall attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College and graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He started his career as an examiner in the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, a position he held for 3 years. Prior to joining Southern AgCredit, Hall was a lender at the Bank of Brookhaven. He and his wife, Summer, have one daughter and reside in Brookhaven.
Mallory Kellar was promoted to credit analyst. She joined the rural lending cooperative in 2020 as a loan administrator in its Gulfport branch office. Kellar earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi. She was employed at PJ’s Coffee for seven years prior to joining Southern AgCredit. She is married to Evan Kellar, an independent insurance agent in Picayune, where they live with their daughter.
April Lunsford was promoted to senior loan administrator. Lunsford has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Louisiana Monroe. She joined the Association in 2017 as a loan administrator in the Ruston branch office then later moved to the Ridgeland branch office. Lunsford worked in the dental industry for 7 years before coming to Southern AgCredit.
Brittany Miller was promoted to senior loan administrator. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Mississippi State University. She joined Southern AgCredit as an office administrator in the Newton branch office in 2019 and was promoted to loan administrator in 2021. Before joining the rural lending co-op, she worked as a loan assistant for BankFirst in Newton. She and her husband, Joe, have two daughters and the family resides in Garlandville.
Lauren Smith was promoted to senior loan administrator. Smith joined Southern AgCredit in 2010 as a customer service representative in the Brookhaven branch office then was promoted to loan administrator. Prior to joining the rural lending co-op, she worked in commercial banking for 9 years. Smith, a native of Winnsboro, Louisiana, now resides in Wesson with her husband, Andy, and their two children.
Cooper Stringer was promoted to vice-president of lending. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Alabama. Stringer joined Southern AgCredit in 2011 as a loan officer and then was promoted to branch manager of the Newton office. He lives in Newton and is active in the Mississippi Poultry Association, NWTF and Ducks Unlimited.
Jason Whittlesy was promoted to senior credit analyst. Whittlesy has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport as well as a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Louisiana Tech. He joined Southern AgCredit in 2011 as a credit analyst and collateral evaluator for the Shreveport and Ruston branch offices. Whittlesy and his wife, Nicki, live in Bossier City with their daughter.
Southern AgCredit is a full-service lender that specializes in financing rural land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana. It is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending cooperatives that finance agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes.
RIDGELAND, Miss. — The board of directors of Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, returned a record $11.9 million in cash dividends to its customer-owners in March.
The member-owned cooperative returns surplus earnings to borrowers after it has met its needs for a strong capital base. The patronage dividend returned to customers effectively reduced the interest rate paid by each borrower by 1 percentage point on average.
“Patronage is a unique benefit of doing business with a cooperative such as Southern AgCredit,” said Scott Bell, Southern AgCredit’s board chairman. “When our co-op is successful, our stockholders benefit. We’ve had consecutive record-breaking years despite the pandemic and the high-interest rate environment. That is a testament to the hard work that goes on at Southern AgCredit.”
Southern AgCredit is a full-service co-op lender that specializes in financing rural land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana. It is a member of the nationwide Farm Credit System, the nation’s largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes. For more information, visit SouthernAgCredit.com.
Financial results discussed here are preliminary and unaudited. Please visit SouthernAgCredit.com this spring to see our complete results.
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RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit participated in the purchase of several animals at the 2023 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions. The Sale took place on Feb. 9, helping to celebrate the 54th Annual Sale. This year the Sale grossed $456,285.
This year 1,257 4-H and FFA members from across Mississippi participated in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Show, showing 2,153 head of various livestock including pigs, sheep, cattle and goats. The animals sold for top dollar in the Sale of Champions. In addition, scholarships totaling $61,500 were awarded to 39 students.
Southern AgCredit was once again a large supporter of the Sale. The rural lending cooperative, along with its buying partners, purchased 6 animals and donated to the scholarship fund. Exhibitors and their animals are photographed below:
Each applicant must be a current Southern AgCredit borrower or a current borrower’s child, grandchild, or spouse. The deadline for entry is March 20, 2023, and the winners will be notified in April. Visit http://www.southernagcredit.com/scholarships to learn more!
For years now, Southern AgCredit has been a supporter of Children’s of Mississippi Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, the only center in the state providing comprehensive care for children with cancer or blood-related diseases.
In 2014, Southern AgCredit held the first Jingle Bell Jog/Fit for Ag, a race in Ridgeland, Mississippi, in which all proceeds went to Children’s of Mississippi. Since then, Southern AgCredit has kept our commitment and kept the race going. We’ve raised and donated over $200,000 to Children’s of Mississippi. Our funds have been used for the renovation of the 17,750-square-foot facility, located inside the Blair E. Batson Tower in Jackson, Mississippi. Improvements include upgrading and expanding the center by adding more exam rooms, a larger infusion room and updating the center’s pharmacy.
After two years of being unable to hold the race due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern AgCredit was able to hold the 2022 Jingle Bell Jog. The race had over 350 participants and resulted in a donation of $30,000 to the hospital.
The check was presented to Children’s of Mississippi on January 31st by Southern AgCredit.
Click here to read more about Southern AgCredit’s commitment to Children’s of Mississippi.
RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit recently hired Jessica Tynes as a loan administrator in its Ruston branch office.
Tynes holds an associate degree from Louisiana Delta Community College. She started her banking career at Louisiana National Bank in 2018 as a teller and then was promoted to loan processor. Tynes is engaged to Brandon Gray of Calhoun, Louisiana.
Southern AgCredit is a full-service lender that specializes in financing rural land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana. It is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending cooperatives that finance agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes.
Southern AgCredit Chairman Scott Bell was re-elected to the national Farm Credit Council Board.
Scott was re-elected by the Tenth District Farm Credit Council Board to represent Southern AgCredit. This board includes a board member from each Texas District Association as well as each of the Farm Credit Bank of Texas Board members.
Scott was previously elected in August 2022 to serve the remaining term of a vacated Council board position. Yesterday’s election win confirms Scott’s position on the Farm Credit Council Board for a three-year term through December 31, 2025.
The Farm Credit Council is the national trade association representing Farm Credit institutions before Congress, the Executive Branch and others.
RIDGELAND, MS—Southern AgCredit’s general counsel, Jeff Williams, was among 22 delegates to participate in the 2022 Farm Credit Bank of Texas Association Leadership Program (ALP) to New York and Washington, D.C., September 12-15.
The program offers association staff a broad national view of the Farm Credit System and provides opportunities to interact with policy leaders in Washington. It also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how funding flows from the nation’s money markets to Farm Credit’s customers.
During the week, delegates across the five-state district visited the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation in New Jersey, toured the Financial District in New York and shared a working lunch with Farm Credit Council staff in Washington, D.C.
While visiting the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) headquarters in Virginia, the group met with FCA senior leaders about local lending conditions. Delegates spent the final day on Capitol Hill in Washington, sharing the Farm Credit story with congressional leaders and staff.
Southern AgCredit is a full-service co-op lender that specializes in financing rural land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana. It is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of customer-owned cooperatives. Founded in 1916, Farm credit is the nation’s largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes.
Southern AgCredit recently promoted Daniel Gilbert to controller in its administrative office.
Gilbert joined the rural lending co-op in 2019 as a senior accountant. Previously, he worked at Harper, Rains, Knight & Company, Hinds Community College, and was self-employed in the real estate and timber industries. He graduated with honors from Belhaven University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and was awarded the Achievement in Accounting Award. He also holds a master’s degree in accounting from Mississippi College.
He resides in Madison with his wife, Camille, and their four children.
“Daniel’s experience makes him a valuable member of the finance team here at Southern AgCredit,” said Phillip Morgan, Southern AgCredit chief executive officer. “I look forward to working with Daniel in his new role as controller.”
RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Ashley Poole as a loan administrator in its Shreveport, La. branch office.
Poole has 11 years of experience as a loan processing clerk. She holds an associate degree from Georgia Military College in behavioral science. She currently resides in Shreveport, La., with her husband and son.
Southern AgCredit is a full-service cooperative lender that specializes in financing rural land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana. It is a part of the Farm Credit System, the nation’s single largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes. For more information, visit www.southernagcredit.com.
Stockholders of Southern AgCredit recently reelected Larry Killebrew of Lexington, Mississippi, and Kevin Rhodes of Pelahatchie, Mississippi, to the lending cooperative’s board of directors. Stockholders also elected John “Paul” Johns Jr. of Jonesboro, Louisiana, who replaces retired director John “Van” Bennett of Spearsville, Louisiana. Each director will serve a three-year term.
Killebrew is the owner/manager of Larry Killebrew Farms, a 3,000-acre farming operation consisting of row crops — cotton, corn and soybeans — and cattle.
Rhodes owns KDR Farms Inc., a 300-acre farming operation consisting of a small beef cattle operation, two six-house poultry farms in Rankin County and a five-house poultry farm in Scott County.
Johns owns a farming operation consisting of 500 acres of hay, timber and pastureland, 100 commercial cows and four poultry houses.
Southern AgCredit’s 2022 Nominating Committee consists of the following:
Tim Clements, Delta Region; Alan Ezelle, Central Region; Kati Krager, Southern Region; J. Blake McCartney and Thomas Wade, Louisiana Region.
“The board of directors is a diverse representation of our borrower-owners we serve throughout our territory,” said Phillip Morgan, chief executive officer. “They guide and steer the association in all aspects, and we are thankful to have such a talented group of individuals to serve as directors.”
Southern AgCredit’s 10-member board also includes Reggie Allen of Brookhaven, Mississippi; Scott Bell of Lena, Mississippi; Gene Boykin of Rolling Fork, Mississippi; Steve Dockens of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; Allen Eubanks of Lucedale, Mississippi; T.C. Hall of Gloster, Louisiana; and Linda Staniszewski of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Southern AgCredit is a full-service cooperative lender that specializes in financing rural land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana. It is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending cooperatives that finance agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes. For more information, visit www.southernagcredit.com.
RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Mitchell Bishop as a collateral evaluator in its administrative office.
Bishop holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State University. Prior to joining Southern AgCredit, he worked in agricultural retail for Simplot Growers Solutions in Hollandale, Miss. Bishop is a native of Madison and is engaged to Madison Flye of Daphne, Ala.
Southern AgCredit is a full-service cooperative lender that specializes in financing rural land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana. It is a part of the Farm Credit System, the nation’s single largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes. For more information, visit www.southernagcredit.com.
Southern AgCredit has hired Stacey Davis as an office administrator in its Meridian office. The rural lending cooperative specializes in financing land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Davis comes to Southern AgCredit with 10 years of banking experience in various positions, most recently as a loan assistant at Community Bank in Meridian. She is married to Matt Davis, and they reside in Meridian with their two sons.
“Stacey has the experience and customer service skills needed to assist our customer-owners and we look forward to working with her to see our Meridian office grow,” said Phillip Morgan, Southern AgCredit chief executive officer.
On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 into law, which includes the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act. The (LIBOR) Act “provides for the transition of certain financial contracts away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a reference interest rate based upon the lending terms certain banks offer to each other for various lengths of time.
LIBOR is set to be retired in 2023. Various financial contracts reference LIBOR as a benchmark for prevailing interest rates and use LIBOR in calculating certain payments or obligations. In the event a contract referencing LIBOR does not have a fallback or replacement rate provision in effect when LIBOR is retired, or a replacement rate is not selected by a determining person as defined by the bill, the bill provides for a transition to a replacement rate selected by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The (LIBOR) Act also provides for conforming changes to these contracts, the continuity and enforceability of these contracts, and protections against liability as a result of such a transition.”
“Our Southern AgCredit team has worked diligently over the past two years to transition our LIBOR indexed loans to other variable and fixed loan rate products. We are pleased to have the additional assurances and guidance from congress regarding the financial market’s transition away from the LIBOR index.”
Phillip Morgan, Southern AgCredit Chief Executive Officer
Southern AgCredit, a rural financing cooperative, is pleased to announce its 2022 scholarship recipients. The co-op awarded a total of $31,000 in scholarships to 28 students.
To qualify, each applicant had to be a current Southern AgCredit borrower, or a current borrower’s child, grandchild or spouse. Selection criteria included academics, leadership, extracurricular activities and an essay by the student.
A total of 26 students each received a $1,000 scholarship.
In addition, two recipients were awarded $2,500 scholarships. These special scholarships honor two former longtime Southern AgCredit board members — Jimmie Dick Carter and Emery Skelton. They are awarded to deserving students attending or planning to attend Mississippi State University and major in agriculture or a related field.
“These young people represent the future of agriculture, and we are proud to do our part to help them pursue their dreams. We wish them all much success.”
Southern AgCredit Chief Executive Officer Phillip Morgan
By supporting ag education with 28 scholarships, Southern AgCredit seeks to fuel the future of the agriculture industry.
Following are the recipients and the colleges they attend or plan to attend.
Karoline Heathcock
Waynesboro, MS
Mississippi State University
Austin Rexrode
Hollandale, MS
Mississippi State University
Dock Adams
Smithdale, MS
Mississippi State University
Faith Barry
Sumrall, MS
Mississippi State University
Lainey Brumfield
Foxworth, MS
William Carey University
Grayson Childress
Brookhaven, MS
United State Air Force Academy
Kobly Donahoo
Belzoni, MS
Mississippi Delta Community College
Molly Garner
Madison, MS
University of Arkansas
Ayden Gautreau
Tylertown, MS
Pearl River Community College
Taylor Gautreau
Tylertown, MS
Southwest Mississippi Community College
James Hunter Hearn
Benoit, MS
Mississippi State University
Tristen Herrington
Lucedale, MS
Mississippi State University
Thomas “Trey” Knott
Bogue Chitto, MS
Mississippi College or Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Jayden Latham
Walnut Grove, MS
East Mississippi Community College
Savannah Rose McMillan
Braxton, MS
Belhaven University
Vivian McRee
Wesson, MS
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Lila Murphy
Jackson, MS
Mississippi State University
Georgia Neill
McCarley, MS
Mississippi State University
Francesca Pham
Lawrence, MS
East Central Community College
Shelby Richardson
Biloxi, MS
University of Southern Mississippi
Emmie Shaw
Bruce, MS
Northwest Community College
Elizabeth Skelton
Greenville, MS
Mississippi State University
Zachary Ty Skelton
Greenwood, MS
Mississippi Delta Community College
Lilli C. Smith
Poplarville, MS
University of Mississippi
Warren Toler
Inverness, MS
Mississippi State University
Kaitlyn Wade
Grace, MS
East Mississippi Community College
Charli Ann White
Canton, MS
Mississippi State University
Rosalea Woodard
Leland, MS
The University of the South at Sewanee
Southern AgCredit recently hired Casey Spence as a customer service representative in its Ridgeland branch office. The rural lending cooperative specializes in financing land and agricultural operations in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Spence holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Mississippi State University. She comes from a tenured career at Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, where she held various positions and most recently was a claims examiner. She is married to Kevin Spence, and they reside in Madison with their daughter.
“Casey brings wide-ranging customer service experience to the team, and we are excited to have her in our Ridgeland branch office,” said Phillip Morgan, Southern AgCredit chief executive officer.
When Erin and Todd Vowell were newlyweds, Erin hoped to someday see cattle from every window.
“It sounds silly, but it goes back to my grandfather’s ranch,” Erin says. “Those were my favorite childhood memories.”
It wasn’t silly to Todd, who grew up on a cattle farm.
Fifteen years later, their Forest, Mississippi, home is surrounded by pasture. And in 2020 they expanded their Red Angus seedstock operation by purchasing a ranch in Oklahoma.
The plan came together thanks to good friends, good timing and a loan from Southern AgCredit.
Sandridge Land & Cattle has quickly grown in six years. It started small when daughter Addison, now 14, was old enough to show animals.
“Red Angus are very efficient cattle with a great disposition, so they were a great fit for our young showman,” says Erin, who manages the cattle operation. “And Angus beef has excellent marbling and quality.”
In fact, the Vowells stock Angus beef at their 13 Vowell’s Marketplace stores and three other grocery stores in Mississippi and Alabama.
“Our brand is truly built around the meat department,” says Todd, president of the grocery business his grandfather started in 1945. “We still cut all of our meat in the store.”
Addison Vowell’s heifer Ellie was named Dixie National Junior Round-Up Supreme Beef Female in 2021. Ellie now lives at the family’s Oklahoma ranch.
But the family’s purebred cattle aren’t destined for the meat case. They’re winning in the show ring.
Last year, Addison won a $1,500 scholarship to Mississippi State University when her Champion Red Angus heifer was named the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Supreme Beef Female. Her brother, Cade, 12, showed the heifer’s week-old calf. That’s just one of several wins for the siblings.
Red Six Mile Ellie 205G, Addison’s cow, now enjoys the moderate climate and more diverse forages of their new ranch near Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The ranch helps the family access new markets, better cattle prices, and lower freight and feed costs.
“Oklahoma is a hub for cattle sales and operations,” Erin says. “There’s more opportunity there for our seedstock operation. We do a lot of embryo transfer and AI work, and use the same type genetics at both locations.”
The Vowells market their bulls and females through an annual bull sale, private sales and consignment sales across the U.S. They also offer show heifers and embryos.
Purchasing the turnkey operation was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. But they had to act quickly to pull it off.
The Vowells called Southern AgCredit based on the lender’s patronage program and competitive interest rates. It turned out Kevin Brown — whom Todd helped coach for high school football — was on the staff in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
“Kudos to Kevin,” Erin says. “He had the best rates and made it as easy as possible. Everybody at Southern AgCredit jumped through hoops to close the loan on a tight schedule.”
Todd, who serves on the board of a local bank, says he and Erin always shop around.
“We like to diversify in business and financing,” he says. “But the most rewarding experience thus far was with Kevin and Southern AgCredit.”
A few months later, the Vowells refinanced their Mississippi land with the lending co-op.
“I think they appreciate the way we understand their operation,” says Brown, now Ridgeland branch manager. “Southern AgCredit is involved in the local ag community and is the title sponsor of the Dixie National Rodeo. We have a passion for ag financing.”
The Vowells are now focused on building and improving their herd in both locations.
Bred heifers graze near the Vowells’ home in Forest, Mississippi.
“Our goal is to be on the forefront of improving the breed as a whole,” Erin says. “We’ve partnered with great people who have extensive breeding and development knowledge. We’ve also met lifelong friends.”
Those friends and partners include Tony Tolar and his family, as well as Cody Maske and his wife.
“Tony, our Oklahoma ranch manager, and Cody, our ranch manager in Forest, help with breeding decisions and day-to-day operations,” Erin says. “And the kids are very hands-on. It’s been a huge character-builder for them and an opportunity to learn to take the good and the bad.”
But lately, they’ve been on a winning streak.
After the 2021 Dixie National, Ellie and two calves from an embryo flush all had division wins at the North American Junior Red Angus Event. And one, a calf they Vowells sold to a family in Colorado, went on to be named Reserve Champion Other Purebred Heifer at the Colorado State Fair.
“We love to see our customers successful,” Erin says. “And those cattle are special to us, too. We are just tickled.”
Molpus Woodlands Group is one of the oldest timber-related companies in the United States with a storied history that dates to 1905. Over its 117-year history, Molpus has evolved from a mercantile store to a lumberyard, to a sawmill, and now to a timberland investment management organization (TIMO). Since its inception as a TIMO in 1996, Molpus has invested, on behalf of its clients, more than $4 billion across 4 million acres of timberland across the U.S.
Molpus acquires, manages and sells timberland as an investment vehicle for a variety of investors. It focuses on earning optimal cash returns while also being a good steward of the forests that it manages. Molpus incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies and practices into all its investment analysis and decision-making. The team at Molpus believes their strong ESG initiatives have positive implications for the environment and the communities in which they live and work.
Molpus has achieved many significant milestones in its ESG initiatives. Most recently, it celebrated the planting of 251 million trees since 1998 as part of its sustainable forest management program. Molpus recognizes the importance of land-based solutions and healthy forests in climate change mitigation and carbon sequestration. It is also actively engaged in nature- based carbon-offset projects that help preserve forests as carbon sinks. Carbon offsets represent an increase in carbon storage to compensate for carbon emissions that occur elsewhere. The company was awarded, on behalf of a client, the 2018 Carbon Project Developer of the Year award by the California Climate Action Reserve at the 2019 North American Carbon World conference held in Los Angeles, California.
Private working forests, such as those Molpus manages, are a fundamental part of the underlying infrastructure of the U.S. economy. These forests produce renewable, recyclable, and reusable wood and paper products that our economy depends on. These forests also absorb and store carbon, produce clean water and air, sustain vital biodiversity, provide recreation experiences and supply a growing resource for renewable energy.
Molpus also boasts many other ESG initiatives. It currently offers an annual scholarship program at five different universities that targets students in under-represented populations. Its objective is to help bring more diversity to the forestry management profession. Molpus also prides itself on employing qualified natural resources professionals to manage forests who have completed training programs that focus on issues like water quality and enhancing biodiversity. Molpus helps monitor and protect over 6,000 miles of streams and rivers to ensure clean water. It also monitors and preserves species of concern, including the grizzly bear, gopher tortoise and forest songbirds. All of Molpus’ management forests are certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program (SFI) Forest Management Standard, which is recognized by the globally recognized Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Where beneficial, additional certification to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards is also obtained.
“Southern AgCredit has been a constant champion for Molpus and its success for more than a decade now. It is not just a transactional relationship for each party, it’s a partnership,” says Hunter Barlow, Southern AgCredit’s agribusiness portfolio manager. “It’s been Southern AgCredit’s knowledge of timber financing and unique loan products that has helped this relationship grow and flourish as it has.”
“We have worked with Southern AgCredit for many years as they understand our business and the needs of our sustainable forestry management. Their deep knowledge of our industry enables them to address our objectives and tailor lending solutions to our clients needs,” says Michael Cooper, Molpus’ senior director of client relations and business development. “Southern AgCredit comes from the rich history of the Federal Land Bank System, and their level of expertise in lending to the forestry industry is unique.”
Randy Frasier has been in the poultry business for over 30 years. Although this wasn’t where he started, he is proud of where he ended up. Poultry wasn’t the only thing that kept Randy busy. He also had a 30-year career with the City of Ruston, where he managed the city’s water and sewer systems. He’s since retired from the City of Ruston and is semiretired from the poultry business.
“I still go check on the chicken houses each day, and when I see something that needs attention, well, I tell the managers that they need to get to it,” Randy says with a laugh. The managers are Randy’s son and daughter-in-law, Travis and Leslie.
Frasier Farms consists of 29 acres and eight Class A broiler houses in Dubach. Randy built his first four chicken houses in 1990. After Randy retired from the city, he decided to expand his operation. “I thought, well, if I’m going to be in the chicken business, then I need to have more chicken houses.” So, that’s exactly what he did. He added 4 more houses to his poultry operation.
Randy knew Devin Davis, Southern AgCredit’s Ruston branch manager, from a previous job when Devin was in commercial banking. When Devin accepted the job at Southern AgCredit, he was asked if he knew anyone who raised chickens. “I sure do,” said Devin. “Mr. Randy was one of the first people I went to talk to about Southern AgCredit.”
It wasn’t long after this conversation that Randy walked through the doors of the Ruston branch and told Devin he’d like to move all his loans to Southern AgCredit. “Devin is just a good guy, and I like doing business with him and with Southern AgCredit,” Randy says.
Frasier Farms grows larger birds in the 10-pound range for the House of Raeford, their integrator. Their birds are NAE (no antibiotics ever) poultry. The Frasiers see a low mortality rate among their flocks, and their housing specs are in line with Raeford’s guidelines. “We produce a really good breed of chicken and we’re proud of that,” Randy says.
When Travis and Leslie got involved with the business, they decided to add cattle. They now have cows, heifers, calves and one bull. “My grandad always had cows when I was a little boy, and having my own cows was just something I always dreamed of,” says Travis.
Travis and Leslie manage the day-to-day operations of the farm. “My favorite part of all of this is knowing that I am helping to contribute to feeding America,” Leslie says. “That’s very important to us.”
When it comes to Travis, he enjoys being his own boss and working closely each day with his family. Travis and Leslie see their business expanding to hopefully include even more chicken houses in the future.
Randy’s wife, Kathy, works off the farm but is never too far away. “I’ve done my share of cleaning out chicken houses and feeding chickens,” Kathy says. She works in the office furniture business. She recently sold her business, but the new company asked her to stay on for guidance and direction, which she gladly accepted.
Randy is also a world-famous foxhound breeder. His tagline is Faith, Family, Foxhounds. “The good Lord has blessed us and keeps on blessing us,” he says.
Carson Smyly is a fifth generation row crop farmer from the Mississippi Delta. He farms on acreage in Washington, Sunflower and Humphreys counties in Mississippi. Carson grows primarily soybeans, although he’s also raised other grain and cotton in previous years.
While Carson is only 28 years old, he has tremendous farming experience since he’s worked on a farm most of his life. His father, Doug Smyly, is also a full-time farmer and owns Smyly Planting Company in Hollandale. Carson has worked alongside his father for many years and attributes much of his farming knowledge to him. Doug and his wife, Nichole, became Southern AgCredit stockholders in 2004. They primarily farm soybeans and corn.
Carson signed on his first production loan with Southern AgCredit in 2015 and has had successful years since then. “Southern AgCredit was one of the key factors allowing me to achieve my dream of becoming a farmer,” said Carson.
Carson is married to the former Anna Coker of Stuttgart, Arkansas. Anna is a graduate research assistant at Mississippi State University and is studying to receive her Ph.D. in agronomy. Together, she and Carson have two young children, Sutton and John Douglas.
“I guess you could say that farming is most definitely not just an occupation to our family,” Carson says. “It is a way of life, and I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”
The Smyly family is a close-knit one. Being able to farm together is something that they truly enjoy. “Family is a big deal to us, and having the opportunity to work alongside my family day in and day out is an opportunity that cannot be topped,” Carson says.
The future is bright for the Smyly family and their farming operation. Their goals are to continue to grow in all aspects and ensure that farming is an option for their children to pursue should they desire to farm when they are grown.
“I couldn’t be more thankful to have had the pleasure of dealing with the hard-working, friendly and knowledgeable staff at Southern AgCredit — specifically our loan officer, Colton Thomas, who is also a friend,” Carson says.
“Carson and I have known each other for most of our lives,” says Colton, a Southern AgCredit loan officer in Greenville. “We attended grade school together, and we both attended Mississippi State at the same time. I am fortunate to get to call Carson a friend of mine with whom I enjoy sharing a duck blind or making a farm visit.”
Colton, who also comes from a Delta farming family, knows the Smyly family’s work ethic because he’s seen it firsthand. Their families have been farming next to each other for many years.
“The Smylys take great pride in their operation. I look forward to working with them for many years to come,” says Colton.
RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently promoted Britny Hester to chief financial officer.
Hester is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College. She joined Southern AgCredit in April 2013 as the association’s treasurer later was promoted to the association’s controller.
Hester was previously in public accounting, providing auditing and consulting services primarily to Farm Credit System institutions. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband, Trey; together they have two children.
“Britny is a valuable team member to our association, and I’m thrilled to promote her to the position of chief financial officer,” said Phillip Morgan, Southern AgCredit’s CEO. “I look forward to working alongside her as she leads our finance and accounting areas.”
Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired three new team members:
Stephen Bass is vice president of lending for the Newton branch office. He was vice president of Community Bank in Meridian for the past 8 years. Before Community Bank, he had a combined 10 years of experience in Farm Credit. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s of science degree in forest management and a master’s degree in agribusiness management. Bass resides in Meridian with his two children.
Michelle Robinson is a loan administrator for the Hattiesburg branch office. Before joining Southern AgCredit, she worked 19 years as a real estate paralegal with Jackson, Tullos, Rogers & Morgan, PLLC. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. She and her spouse, Dustin have two children.
Adam Young is a senior loan officer for the Shreveport branch office. Before joining Southern AgCredit, he spent 18 years with the David Toms Foundation before most recently serving as vice president of commercial lending for B1Bank in Shreveport. Young holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University. He and his spouse, Lucy have four daughters.
“We are excited to welcome Stephen, Michelle and Adam to the Southern AgCredit team,” said CEO Phillip Morgan. “They each bring their own unique set of skills to our association and I look forward to working with them as we continue to meet the needs of our customer-owners.”
