AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the promotion of Teresa Thompson to Corporate Secretary in our Perry Office.
Teresa began her career with AgGeorgia in June of 2013 as a Loan Assistant. She brings several years’ business experience, a financial services background and knowledge of the Farm Credit System to this position. She currently resides in Houston County with her husband, Rick.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the promotion of Whitney Diers in our Moultrie Office to the position of Accountant. A native of Colquitt County, Whitney began her career with AgGeorgia in November of 2016. A Colquitt County native, she was raised on a farm and graduated from Valdosta State University with a degree in English. She has several years’ business experience and currently resides in Colquitt County with her husband, Ryan and daughter, Magnolia.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit Announces Hiring of Credit Officer in Gainesville
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the hiring of Logan Clark as a Credit Officer in our Gainesville office. A native of Hall County, Mr. Clark graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness. Logan grew up competing in 4-H beef cattle shows and working on his family’s commercial cow/calf operation. He has a small cattle farm where he raises registered show cattle.
Mr. Clark interned with AgGeorgia in 2019 and looks forward to using this experience and his agricultural knowledge and background to service the needs of residents of Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin and White Counties.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit Announces New Chief Executive Officer; Retirement of Current CEO
After a successful 39-year career with AgGeorgia Farm Credit, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack C. Drew, Jr. has announced his intent to retire December 1, 2020. Drew has served as AgGeorgia’s CEO since 2010, overseeing operations which resulted in the board declaring nearly $120 million in patronage refunds to the members of the cooperative over that span.
After conducting a thorough succession planning and comprehensive selection process, AgGeorgia Farm Credit’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the unanimous appointment of James R. (Rob) Crain (pictured) as the association’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. The move became effective August 1, 2020. Drew will remain on in an emeritus role until retirement to assist in the transition.
With 17 years of Farm Credit experience, Mr. Crain joins AgGeorgia from within the AgFirst Farm Credit District where he served most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Carolina Farm Credit. With an extensive background in leadership and management, Rob has served as Carolina’s Chief Risk Officer, Director of Credit Administration, Capital Markets Manager and Relationship Manager. Prior to joining Carolina Farm Credit in 2006, he successfully served as Director of Risk Management and Senior Commercial Credit Analyst with Southwest Georgia Farm Credit.
“We’re excited to build upon the legacy that AgGeorgia already enjoys; that of a dependable financing partner for farmers and land owners,” said AgGeorgia Farm Credit Board Chairman Dave Neff. “Jack reinforced a ‘member-first’ commitment over his tenure, and we look forward to Rob continuing that tradition. Rob has a wealth of knowledge and experience in ag lending and executive leadership that will serve our members, staff, and board well.”
Rob is a graduate of Western Carolina University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management before obtaining a Master of Business Administration at Gardner-Webb University.
“I am so excited to be back in Georgia and feel blessed to be part of such an incredible organization,” said Crain. “AgGeorgia has long been a champion for agriculture in the state and I, along with our amazing staff and board, look forward to advancing our deep rooted legacy of service and support for Georgia’s farmers and rural communities well into the future.”
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the hiring of Lesley Hurst as a Loan Assistant in our Perry Branch. Originally from Miller County, Mrs. Hurst has member services and financial experience that will be beneficial to AgGeorgia members.
Lesley and her family currently reside in Houston County and have a strong ag heritage. She and her husband William have four children, Ashleigh, Will, Jacob and Henry Lee who all demonstrate the family’s love and appreciation for agriculture. Mrs. Hurst is looking forward to using her experience to meet the agricultural credit needs of those in Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Macon, Peach, Pulaski and Taylor counties.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit Announces Hiring of Relationship Manager in Cartersville
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the hiring of Lane Anderson as a Relationship Manager in our Cartersville office. A native of Bulloch County, Mr. Anderson graduated from The University of Georgia where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness and in Agricultural & Applied Economics, as well as a Master of Forest Resources degree. He previously interned with AgGeorgia, as well as International Paper and Rayonier. Lane worked on his family’s pecan orchard growing up and worked at TimberMart-South during school. He currently resides in Cobb County.
Mr. Anderson looks forwardto using his agricultural knowledge and experience to service the needs of residents of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gordon, Paulding, and Pickens Counties.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit Announces Hiring of Administrative Assistant in Perry
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the hiring of Karina Harrison as an Administrative Assistant in the Credit Department of the Perry Corporate Office. A native of Florida, Karina previously worked as a data administrator and mortgage loss mitigation specialist with a regional credit union. She currently resides in Houston County with her husband.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit announces their annual Farm Focus photo contest for their customers, friends and families. Photos taken within any of the 79 counties served by AgGeorgia are eligible to be entered with twelve photos being chosen for their 2021 calendar.
“Our calendars have been very successful and showcased various scenes found in our 79 county territory,” said Rhonda Shannon, Senior Marketing Specialist. “We encourage entries that focus on farming, life on the farm and in the country, or scenic rural Georgia. Agriculture is Georgia’s top industry and we at AgGeorgia understand and appreciate not only its economic impact but also its uniqueness. “
Photos can be submitted through July 31, 2020 and photos taken between July 1, 2019 and July 31, 2020 will be eligible to enter. Photos providing a good variety of season changes, settings and locations throughout Georgia are highly encouraged. Gift cards in the amounts of $250, $150 and $100 will be given to first, second and third place winners, respectively, and $25 gift cards for the remaining honorable mention designations.
For more information including official rules, format and instructions for submission, click here or contact Rhonda Shannon at rshannon@aggeorgia.com.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit Announces $50,000 to Georgia Food Banks; Donation Includes Homegrown Help Campaign Partnership
AgGeorgia Farm Credit’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the cooperative is donating a total of $50,000 to regional food banks in the association’s territory, with the funds to be used by the food banks to purchase products directly from local farmers. $25,000 of this total is going to Second Harvest of South Georgia to establish the Homegrown Help campaign. The remainder will be distributed between Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, and the Georgia Mountain Food Bank. $5,000 in produce was already given to assist the northwest Georgia service area of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, through cooperation with Rep. Kasey Carpenter’s “Georgia Grown to Go” event in Dalton in May.
The COVID-19 pandemic and related closures have drastically increased the need for food assistance in Georgia. According to Second Harvest of South Georgia, since March the food bank has distributed double the amount of food it had in 2019 – an additional 2 million meals worth. The need is only anticipated to grow as unemployment benefits run out later this summer.
Georgia’s agriculture community has likewise been hit incredibly hard by the pandemic. With schools and restaurants closed, Georgia produce growers in particular have had few market outlets. Few processing options exist in the region to extend the shelf life of these valuable crops.
This is where Homegrown Help comes in – to benefit not just the families needing food but also Georgia farmers. Funds raised will go to purchase Georgia Grown produce; in turn, Second Harvest of South Georgia will provide these nutritious fruits and vegetables to families in need. AgGeorgia Farm Credit, as co-founder of this campaign, has committed an initial $25,000 to this initiative. Individuals and businesses are also able to contribute to this fundraising campaign by texting “HOMEGROWN” to 619-870-1680, or by going to www.feedingsga.org.
Although Homegrown Help donations go directly to Second Harvest of South Georgia, those wanting to instead contribute to the Feeding America food bank in their area can find them at FeedingAmerica.org. AgGeorgia’s donations of $5,000 to each of these previously noted food banks are also earmarked for use by each to purchase farm products directly from local farmers.
For Second Harvest and AgGeorgia, the project was the perfect fit and opportunity to work together.
“We are thrilled to partner with Second Harvest on this campaign, and we invite other organizations and individuals to support this effort,” said AgGeorgia Farm Credit Board Chairman Dave Neff. “It is wonderful to be able to get local produce to families in need while simultaneously supporting Georgia farmers.
