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Southern AgCredit Members Visit Capitol Hill During Young Leaders Program
RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit members Clark and Hailey Carlisle of Dixie, La., took their interests in agriculture to Capitol Hill on July 24.
As participants in the 2019 Farm Credit Young Leaders Program, the couple met with Rep. Mike Johnson, Rep. Ralph Abraham and Sen. Bill Cassidy on their Hill visits.
Farm Credit Young Leaders Program
“Hailey and I were so thankful to have the opportunity to participate in the Farm Credit Young Leaders Program and travel to Washington, D.C., and New York City. We learned so many things about Farm Credit in the four days that we were there. The highlight of the trip was meeting with our congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. It was an experience we won’t soon forget,” said Clark.
The Carlisles were selected by Southern AgCredit to participate in the annual young leaders program. The four-day event teaches young farmers and ranchers about the Farm Credit System, the legislative process and the nation’s financial markets.
This year’s program took 20 young Farm Credit borrowers from five states — Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas — to Washington, D.C., and New York City.
Besides visiting Capitol Hill, the group joined over 700 other Farm Credit borrowers and directors from across the country at a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. They also heard from House Agriculture Committee members, U.S. Reps. Austin Scott and David Scott.
Following their Washington, D.C, meetings, the young leaders visited the Federal Farm Credit Funding Corporation in New Jersey. The funding corporation buys and sells the notes and bonds that fund Farm Credit lending cooperatives.
About the Carlisles
The Carlisles are fourth-generation farmers who raise cotton and corn on 1,000 acres in Dixie, La. They also maintain cattle pasture that they rent to cattlemen in the Shreveport area. Clark and Hailey both graduated from Louisiana Tech University, he in finance and she in education. Hailey taught school for several years prior to the birth of their first son.
“This event provides participants the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of how Farm Credit supports agriculture and rural communities across the country,” said Joe Hayman, CEO of Southern AgCredit.
Southern AgCredit is a part of the 102-year-old Farm Credit System, which is a nationwide network of rural lending cooperatives that finance agriculture and rural communities.
Clark and Hailey Carlisle of Dixie, La., recently represented Southern AgCredit at the 2019 Farm Credit Young Leaders Program. As part of the program, they met with congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. They are pictured with Rep. Ralph Abraham of La., left.
Learn more about how Southern AgCredit supports YBS Farmers and Ranchers in Louisiana and Mississippi through education and loan programs.
Southern AgCredit Hires Two New Employees
RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Bradley McDaniel as a loan officer in its Hattiesburg branch and Brittany Miller as an office administrator in its Newton branch.
McDaniel holds a BBA in managerial finance from the University of Mississippi and is a 2017 alumnus of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. Prior to joining Southern AgCredit, he spent 10 years in community banking as a lender. A native of nearby Columbia, McDaniel grew up hunting, fishing and spending time in the outdoors. He and his wife, Beth, have two children.
Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Mississippi State University. She worked for BankFirst of Newton as a loan assistant prior to joining Southern AgCredit. She is married to Joe Miller of Garlandville and they have two children.
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
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Rural Lending Co-op Holds Open House for New Hattiesburg Office
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently held an open house for their new Hattiesburg office.
The new branch office is located at 6580 US Highway 98 in Hattiesburg, Miss.
“We are thrilled to open our new office in Hattiesburg, and we’d like to thank everyone who came out and supported this event,” said Brent Barry, Southern AgCredit regional vice president and Hattiesburg branch manager. “This new office facility will allow Southern AgCredit to continue to grow and better serve our member-borrowers throughout the area.”
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.
Directors Bennett, Killebrew and Rhodes Re-Elected to Southern AgCredit Board
RIDGELAND, Miss. — Stockholders of Southern AgCredit recently re-elected John “Van” Bennett of Spearsville, La., Larry W. Killebrew of Lexington, Miss., and Kevin Rhodes of Pelahatchie, Miss., to the lending cooperative’s board of directors. They will each serve three-year terms.
Bennett and his family own a 300-acre cattle and timber farm that he and his wife operate under Rainbow Hill Farms.
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 80 head of beef cattle, two six-house poultry farms in Rankin County and a five-house poultry farm in Scott County.
“At the core of our cooperative structure, is a stockholder elected board of directors,” said Joe Hayman, chief executive officer. “Through the election process, the stockholders directly participate in the governance of the Association.”
Southern AgCredit’s 2020 Nominating Committee consists of the following: Tim Clements, Delta Region; Alan Ezelle, Central Region; Chris Stockman, Southern Region; James Marsalis, Louisiana Region; J. Blake McCartney, Louisiana Region.
The Southern AgCredit 10-member board also includes Reggie Allen of Brookhaven, Miss.; Scott Bell of Lena, Miss., Gene Boykin of Rolling Fork, Miss.; Steve Dockens of Ocean Springs, Miss., Allen Eubanks of Lucedale, Miss., T.C. Hall of Gloster, La.; and Linda Staniszewski of Hattiesburg, Miss.
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.
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Southern AgCredit 2019 Scholarship Winners are Announced
$2500 – Jimmie Dick Carter Scholarship
- Kallie Marie Wallace | Gulfport, MS | Mississippi State University
$2500 – Emery Skelton Scholarship
- Emma Millwood | Leland, MS | Mississippi State University
$1000 – College Recipients
- Cloe Balducci | Hernando, MS | Mississippi State University
- Robert Garrett | Canton, MS | Holmes Community College
- Sarah Lacy Havens | Moss Point, MS | The University for Women
- William Monte Martin | Roxie, MS | Copiah Lincoln Community College
- Samantha Rayburn | Jayess, MS | University of the Cumberlands
$1000 – High School Recipients
- Janden Landree Amis | Conehatta, MS | East Central Community College
- Cassidy Balducci | Hernando, MS | Mississippi State University
- Jonathan Booker | Clinton, MS | Mississippi State University
- Alexz Carpenter | Laurel, MS | University of Mississippi
- Mayce Brooke Causey | Smithdale, MS |Southwest MS Community College
- Sara Kaitlyn Clegg | Madison, MS | Delta State University
- Sadie M. Hubbard | Poplarville, MS | University of Southern Mississippi
- Taylor Kauzlarich | Carriere, MS | Mississippi State University
- Mallory Kirk | McCarley, MS | University of Mississippi
- Jonathan LaGrange | Madisonville, LA | Oral Roberts University
- Alexis Laughlin | Moss Point, MS | MS Gulf Coast Community College
- Will McElhenney | Union, MS | East Central Community College
- Peyton Pittman Miller | Carrollton, MS | University of Mississippi
- Elizabeth Rayburn | Quitman, AR | Arkansas State University at Beebe
- Christa A. Salsbury | Downsville, LA | University of Louisiana Monroe
- Cari Sims | Vancleave, MS | Mississippi State University
- Cameron Smyly | Hollandale, MS | Mississippi College
- Luke Tadlock | Forest, MS | East Central Community College
- Cassie White | Bogue Chitto, MS | Copiah Lincoln Community College
- Sampson Barfield Wilder | Camden, MS | Mississippi College
Learn more about Southern AgCredit’s educational scholarships for high school and college students studying agriculture.
Southern AgCredit Hires Hayes Shepherd as Collateral Evaluator Trainee
RIDGELAND, Mississippi – Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Hayes Shepherd as a collateral evaluator trainee in its Ridgeland administrative office.
Shepherd was a summer intern at Southern AgCredit in 2018, and recently graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance with a concentration in risk management and insurance. He is a native of Flora, 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.
Southern AgCredit Hires Victoria Scarbrough as Accountant
RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Victoria Scarbrough as an accountant in its administrative office in Ridgeland, Miss.
Scarbrough holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a BBA degree in finance and an MBA degree, all from Mississippi State University. She worked for a real estate company while she was pursuing her master’s degree. A native of Gluckstadt, Miss., Scarbrough grew up riding horses and living on a crop farm.
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.
Fit for Ag / Jingle Bell Jog Raised $30,000 for Batson Children’s Cancer Center
Southern AgCredit’s Fit for Ag / Jingle Bell Jog raised $30,000 for Batson Children’s Cancer Center. The race was held on December 1, 2018 at Madison Central High School in Madison, MS. This year we had over 650 participants and over 150 volunteers. Southern AgCredit would like to thank everyone who came out and supported this event. Be on the lookout for information regarding the 2019 Fit for Ag / Jingle Bell Jog race!
Southern AgCredit Hires Wesley Head as Information Technology Specialist
Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Wesley Head as information technology specialist in its administrative office in Ridgeland, Miss.
Head graduated magna cum laude from Mississippi State University. Prior to joining the co-op, he owned and operated his family technology company, Head Technology Group Inc. He and his wife live in Canton with their five children.
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 nationwide Farm Credit System, the nation’s single largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes.
Southern AgCredit Declares Record $19.7 Million Patronage to Customers
The board of directors of Southern AgCredit, a rural financing cooperative, recently declared a record $19.7 million patronage. In mid-February, $9.9 million of the patronage was returned as a cash payment to its member-borrowers. The remaining $9.8 million of the co-op’s earnings from 2018 is in the form of equities allocated to each customer-owner.
As a borrower-owned cooperative, Southern AgCredit provides its members with agricultural and rural financing at competitive rates. Southern AgCredit also returns surplus earnings to them after it has met its needs for a strong capital base. This record cash patronage — the largest in the co-op’s history — reduces the effective interest rate paid by each borrower in 2018.
“We are pleased that our cooperative has the financial strength to provide this patronage refund to the customers, who collectively own the business. This year’s distribution will increase the total amount of patronage we have declared on behalf of our member-borrowers since 1995 to more than $165 million.”
Kevin Rhodes, Board Chairman, Southern AgCredit
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 nationwide Farm Credit System, the nation’s largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes.
Financial results discussed here are preliminary and unaudited. Please visit our Financial Reports this spring to see our complete results.
MS Business Journal Honors Joe Hayman as a 2019 Top CEO
Joe Hayman, CEO of Southern AgCredit, has been named one of Mississippi’s Top CEOs for 2019 by the Mississippi Business Journal.
Hayman leads the agricultural lending cooperative whose operations span Mississippi and Louisiana, providing financing for farmers, ranchers, agribusiness, rural residents and rural infrastructure.
“When the board hired me,” Hayman said, “I was excited about the potential to make a positive impact not only for our customer-owners but to provide professional opportunities to our staff. Over the past 12 years, the team has originated over $1.6 billion in new loan volume that goes directly into the rural economy for agricultural producers to not only succeed, but thrive.
“Our customer-owners literally provide thousands of jobs, so the impact of our business on the economy is significant. Our focus on setting the standard regarding operating efficiency has allowed the board to distribute nearly $100 million in patronage refunds to our customer-owners during that time period — greatly reducing their effective cost of borrowing.”
Kevin Rhodes, Southern AgCredit’s board chairman, was pleased with Hayman’s recognition.
“He came in at a very pivotal time to the institution and not only navigated it through some very challenging times, but worked to foster an ownership culture that is unique to the industry,” said Rhodes. “That culture is the foundation of our success and is key to our ability to exceed expectations, every time. We’re very proud that Hayman’s achievements have been recognized by Mississippi’s business community.”
The Mississippi Business Journal website notes that the honor recognizes leaders around the state who demonstrate excellence among the top executives in their field — CEOs who “have helped their companies (or organizations) achieve strong growth and success and have made a profound impact on their company and community.”
Southern AgCredit Supports Dixie National’s Sale of Champions
Photo: Lot 16: Champion American Steer Exhibited by Anna Beth and Aimry Blackwell, Smith 4-H/Raleigh FFA. Buyers: Southern AgCredit; McDonald Trucking, Inc.; MS Land Bank; Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association.
RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit recently participated in the purchase of several animals at the 2019 Sale of Champions at the Dixie National Junior Round-up Livestock Show on Feb. 7, helping to celebrate the sale’s 50th year.
More than 1,600 4-H and FFA members from across Mississippi competed in this year’s Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Show, showing 2,263 head of various livestock including pigs, sheep, cattle and goats. Of these entries, 45 animals were sold and 37 scholarships were awarded.
Southern AgCredit partnered with other organizations to purchase the:
- Champion American Steer owned by Anna Beth and Aimry Blackwell, Raleigh FFA
- Reserve Champion Duroc Hog owned by Holden Lane Brown, Jasper County 4-H
- Reserve Champion Division 1 Lamb owned by Mary-Hayden Blaylock, Montgomery County 4-H
- Reserve Grand Champion Goat owned by Tyler Branch, Holmes County 4-H
Southern AgCredit also donated toward the scholarship fund.
“The 4H and FFA youth programs do a fantastic job of developing the next generation of leaders in Mississippi,” said Southern AgCredit CEO Joe Hayman. “We firmly believe that it is our responsibility to invest in these young people who have demonstrated strong work ethic, responsibility and an interest in life outside the city limits. The leadership skills learned through their involvement in these programs are simply life changing for them and for those with whom they will come in contact with from here on.”
This year, the sale of 45 winning animals grossed $382,775. In addition, 37 scholarships will be awarded.
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 nationwide Farm Credit System, the nation’s largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes.
2019 Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo
Southern AgCredit is once again a proud sponsor of the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo. The Rodeo kicked off February 7 and goes through February 13 in the Jackson Mississippi Coliseum. Pictured above at the Dixie National Rodeo are Lt. Governor Tate Reeves, Lecile the Rodeo clown and others who joined in for a fun night.
Southern AgCredit Borrowers are Finalists in Farm Credit Council Video Contest!
Farm Credit Council Selects Jason and Lindsey Ellzey for Video Contest Finals
We’re excited to announce Jason and Lindsey Ellzey, borrowers of Southern AgCredit, have been selected as finalists for the One Mission. Many Voices. Farm Credit Video Contest!
The One Mission. Many Voices. campaign brings Farm Credit’s vital mission to life through the voices of our customer-owners. Farm Credit institutions across the country last year submitted their best customer videos demonstrating the Farm Credit difference—what sets us apart from other lenders.
Shortly after the Ellzey’s began their poultry farming business, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. As soon as cell service returned, one of the first people to call the Ellzey’s was their loan officer from Southern AgCredit. Jason remembers him saying, “Whatever’s happened to your poultry houses, don’t worry about it, we can rebuild them. Are you and your family ok?”
Read the Farm Credit Interview
These inspiring stories were viewed by a panel of judges from national agriculture organizations, who selected the top three finalists:
- Jason and Lindsey Ellzey – Southern AgCredit
- Winterbrook Farms – MidAtlantic Farm Credit
- Bill and Brett Slomchinski – Texas Farm Credit
These customers, and their loan officers, have already won a trip to the 2019 Farm Credit Fly-In in Washington, D.C., bringing their story to policymakers and stakeholders. Congratulations to Jason and Lindsey Ellzey!
Southern AgCredit Hires New Office Administrator in Shreveport Office
SHREVEPORT, La. – Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Brittnee Woodell as an office administrator in its Shreveport office.
Woodell joins Southern AgCredit with four years of experience in the banking sector at Ouachita Independent Bank and BancorpSouth. She was born and raised in Shreveport and now lives in Blanchard, La., with her husband, Daniel, and their two children, Allison and Colt.
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 nationwide Farm Credit System, the nation’s single largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes.
Thank you for supporting our Fit for Ag/Jingle Bell Jog race!
We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported our annual Fit for Ag / Jingle Bell Jog race. This race is held on the first Saturday of December in Madison, MS and benefits Batson Children’s Hospital. For race results and pictures, please visit msracetiming.com.
Welcome to the All-New SouthernAgCredit.Com
We are pleased to announce that our new website is live. Our goal with this website is to offer our visitors an easy way to learn about Southern AgCredit. We’ve showcased our financial services and solutions, provided some history of Farm Credit, highlighted our cooperative advantage, including our patronage program, and included sections where you can find our most recent financial reports. We’ve also provided you with a glimpse into what our borrowers are saying about us, and how we’ve helped them along the way to “living life outside the city limits.”
The new website is interactive, and gives users access to conduct land searches in both Mississippi and Louisiana. Our current and prospective borrowers will find useful information about our branch locations in Mississippi and Louisiana, where we serve the southernmost fifty of the state’s eighty-two counties, in addition to the eleven parishes of Northwest Louisiana.
We will be constantly updating our content with helpful information, blogs, newsletters, events, company announcements and client successes in the Stories section.
We hope you find the new website fresh and modern; we worked hard to make sure it contains valuable information to assist you in choosing your rural lender. Southern AgCredit, the best financing in the country!
Now that you’re here, feel free to click around! For any questions, suggestions, feedback or comments, please E-mail us.
Southern AgCredit Hires New Executive Administrative Officer in Ridgeland Office
RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit, ACA, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Madeline Twilbeck as an executive administrative officer in its Ridgeland administrative office.
Twilbeck joins Southern AgCredit with six years of experience at the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations from Mississippi State University. Originally from Ridgeland, Twilbeck now resides in Clinton with her husband, Travis, and their dog, Strider.
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 nationwide Farm Credit System, the nation’s single largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes. For more information, visit.
Southern AgCredit Welcomes Holly Greco to Greenville Office
GREENVILLE, Miss. – Southern AgCredit, recently hired Holly Greco as office administrator in its Greenville office.
Greco joins the rural lending cooperative with three years’ experience at Scott Electric Co. Previously, she was employed at Sunflower Medical Center for five years. Greco holds a degree in phlebotomy from Mississippi Delta Community College.
A native of Indianola, Miss., where she graduated from Indianola Academy, Greco now resides in Greenville with her husband, John Michael, and son, Wes, 9 months old.
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 nationwide Farm Credit System, the nation’s single largest source of loans for agriculture, agribusiness, rural real estate and country homes.
Southern AgCredit Welcomes New Office Administrator
GREENVILLE, Miss. – Southern AgCredit, a rural lending cooperative, recently hired Jenna Peyton as office administrator in its Greenville office.
Peyton, who holds a BBA from Middle Tennessee State University, has been a stay-at-home mom for the past four years. Previously, she was the program coordinator of a senior outpatient program for Sharkey-Issaquena Community Hospital.
Originally from Dyersburg, Tenn., Peyton has lived in the Mississippi Delta for the past 11 years. She and her husband, Bryan, have two children, Bailey, 6, and Katie 4.
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 nationwide 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
