AgGeorgia Hires New Relationship Manager in Cartersville
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the hiring of Lee Lister as a Relationship Manager in the Cartersville Office. A native of Bleckley County, Georgia, Lee grew up on a family farm that produced soybeans, peanuts, and cotton. He graduated from The University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Food Science and a Master’s Degree in Agribusiness.
Mr. Lister is diversified beyond row crop production in his knowledge of agriculture, particularly related to viticulture and wine. He completed an internship with Tiger Mountain Vineyards and also studied abroad, studying viticulture in Italy and coffee production in Costa Rica. Before coming to work for AgGeorgia, he was the Conference Manager for Georgia Future Business Leaders of America.
Lee is looking forward to using his experience to service the needs of agricultural producers, agribusinesses, and residents of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gordon, Paulding, and Pickens Counties.
AgGeorgia Announces New Board Members & Committee Assignments
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the election of Brian Grogan and Joe A. (Al) Rowland to the board of directors. The elections were made by the membership of AgGeorgia at the annual stockholder meetings held across the state in late 2017. Both new board members accepted committee responsibilities as part of their new roles at the Board’s recent annual organizational meeting. Mr. Grogan will serve on the Audit Committee, which is responsible for oversight related to the quality and integrity of accounting, auditing, financial reporting and internal controls practices of the Association. Mr. Rowland will serve on the Governance Committee, charged with maintaining corporate governance principles applicable to AgGeorgia.
Mr. Grogan is a poultry farmer and also manages an angus/sim-angus cattle herd, grows approximately 70 acres of corn for feed, and produces hay and forage. Mr. Grogan and his wife, Hope, are residents of Calhoun (Gordon County) where he also is a deacon at Oostanaula Baptist Church. They have a daughter, Sarah Mastrangelo (Jon), two sons, Matthew (Lenee Fuller) and Jacob (Grace Roberts), and eight grandchildren.
Mr. Rowland is a row crop farmer with an operation diversified in cotton, peanuts, corn, rye and hay. He also owns and operates a small trucking operation, which transports agricultural products. Mr. Rowland is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia, where he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture. He resides in Wrightsville (Johnson County) with his children John Allen, Eli and Josey.
MACON, Georgia – A group of cattlemen in the state of Georgia thinks that enhanced producer control might mean opportunity for one of Georgia's largest commodities. That’s why they want to look at the supply chain and decide if there’s a better way to “finish” cattle here and give local farmers the opportunity to grow the estimated $3 billion industry.
Led by the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, a group of like-minded businesses has commissioned a feasibility study to determine if statewide finishing and processing facilities—which local cattlemen could own an interest in—makes strong economic sense. The University of Georgia’s Center for Economic Development and Agribusiness is conducting the study.
Currently, Georgia’s cattlemen typically ship their herds to feedlots in the West, so that the cattle can grow to an acceptable market size. The “finishing process,” grows a cow by about 450 pounds, and typically lasts 120-180 days, helping to ensure a high-quality product for Georgia’s beef consumers. Cattle are raised in all 159 counties in Georgia.
“We think that financially, the opportunity to maintain ownership in the downstream process may make sense for area cattlemen,” said Will Bentley, Executive Vice President of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. “Eliminating the cost of shipping cattle out of state, combined with giving farmers the opportunity to own a share of the finishing process, could benefit Georgia's cattle industry. The feasibility study will help us understand if we are on track.”
In addition to the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, the Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia EMC, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, AgGeorgia Farm Credit, AgSouth Farm Credit, and Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, are all contributing to the cost of the study.“
We’ve seen vertical integration work in agriculture for a variety of row crops and other commodities and so we think there is the possibility that with the right business model, it could help grow Georgia’s cattle industry,” said Richard Monson, president of Southwest Georgia Farm Credit.”
“We’re looking at this as a way to grow agriculture, the cattle business, and to create jobs in Georgia’s rural communities,” said Keith Kelly of Kelly Products and Farm View Market, located in Madison, Georgia. “This is just the beginning—the study will help us determine if we should keep moving forward.”
The feasibility study is expected to be complete during the fall of 2018.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit to Offer Free Financial Training for Local Farmers
North Georgia farmers have an opportunity to attend a free, nationally award-winning financial training workshop in July and August. The program, AGAware®, has been developed with the purpose of promoting the next generation of farmers by educating them in the many aspects of running a successful agricultural operation. AgGeorgia will be hosting AGAware workshops July 20th at the Jackson EMC Community Room in Hull and August 10th at the Thornton Recreation Center in Rome. This is the fourth year AgGeorgia has offered the program.
“For over a hundred years, Farm Credit’s mission has been to support agriculture and Rural America,” said Corey Cottle, Director of Marketing for AgGeorgia Farm Credit. “We believe that cultivating the next generation of farmers is a vital part of that mission, and the AGAware program is a great way to make sure farmers are on the right financial track.”
The program is tailored for young, beginning, small, and/or minority farmers. Young farmers are defined as those 35 years of age or younger; beginning farmers are defined as those having 10 years or less of experience, and small farmers are defined as those having annual gross agricultural sales of $250,000 or less.
Topics covered in the program include: Balance Sheets, Income Statements, Family Finance & Family Budgeting, Risk Management, Accrual Income, Applying for Financing and Preparing a Business Plan with bonus video topics on Record Keeping, Marketing, and Technology available for continued education. The AGAware educational program is certified for FSA Direct Borrower Training Credit.
The free training is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and a free lunch is provided. Those who would like to attend can register at aggeorgia.com/agaware. Seats are limited, so be sure to register today!
July 20
Jackson EMC Community Room
85 Spratlin Mill Rd
Hull, GA 30646
August 10
Thornton Recreation Center
102 North Floyd Park Rd
Rome, GA 30165
AgGeorgia Farm Credit Announces Hire of Commercial Relationship Manager
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the hiring of John Brazel as a Relationship Manager in the Commercial Loan Department. A native of Calhoun County, Georgia, John grew up on a family row crop farm and graduated from Berry College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing and a minor in Animal Science.
His professional experience includes business development, accounts management and sales training, most recently in the agricultural division of a large equipment sales company.
As a Commercial Relationship Manager, Mr. Brazel will focus on agribusiness operations and members who require larger loan requests and more detailed analysis.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce the hiring of Zeke Carithers as an Account Specialist in the Royston Office. A native of Jackson County, Zeke graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Risk Management and Insurance.
Zeke has experience in poultry production and business management and looks forward to using his experience to service the needs of residents of Banks, Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison and Stephens Counties.
When you become an AgGeorgia member, you’ll become an owner of the organization. As a result, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a share of our profits each year, through our Patronage Refund Program. What’s more, you’ll have a say in which local agriculture professionals and rural property owners are elected to our Board of Directors.
If you’re a Georgia-based farmer or rural property owner interested in taking advantage of the opportunities, benefits, and services outlined below, connect with one of our representatives to see if you qualify.
AgGeorgia Loan Opportunities
Current loan opportunities available through AgGeorgia include Real Estate & Farm Improvement Loans, Operating Loans, Equipment Loans, Irrigation Loans, Livestock Loans, and special loans for Young, Beginning, Small, and Minority (YBSM) Farmers.
AgGeorgia Membership Benefits & Services
AgGeorgia members enjoy access to our digital account management platforms; expedited financing approval at participating equipment dealerships through the Farm Credit EXPRESS program; leases for vehicles, equipment, machinery, implements, and buildings; and, most importantly, profit-sharing through our Patronage Refund Program!
Whether you need a mortgage, a loan to finance your operation, or something else entirely, AgGeorgia can connect you with the financial tools you need to stay ahead. Reach out to get the details.
Georgia Farm Loans: Farm & Home Loan Services
Real Estate and Farm Improvement Loans
Whether you’re looking for some land in the country to simply enjoy with your family, or looking to buy that farm next to you to expand your operation, AgGeorgia has the resources and loan options to make your dreams a reality.
Types of Property Eligible for Financing
Recreational and hunting properties, full- and part-time farms, poultry farms, country homes, farm buildings, and more—AgGeorgia offers financing support for purchases and refinances of a host of different property types. Learn more about the loan opportunities available through our Real Estate & Farm Improvement program today.
Need the ability to draw quickly from a line of credit to pay for crop inputs or an additional loan to cover those extra acres you picked up? AgGeorgia connects member-borrowers with operating loans tailored to suit their business needs, with lines of credit available to help you lock-in prices, pre-pay expenses for tax management purposes, get cash discounts, and keep your operation running through the seasonal cash flow swings.
Get access to the equipment you need to keep your business up and running. Whether it’s irrigation systems, tractors, implements, or something else, we have a variety of term and interest rate options available. Applications can be handled by our staff or on-site at participating equipment dealers, to make the loan process as simple and pain-free as possible.
Your time is valuable, and there are a lot of people depending on you. AgGeorgia recognizes this—that’s why we connect qualified applicants with the farm equipment loans they need so they can get back to business as soon as humanly possible. At participating equipment dealerships, get in and out with financing approval for your purchases in as little as twenty minutes, while also enjoying special discounts and low fixed rates with no prepayment penalties—all possible through our Farm Credit EXPRESS program.
Interested in increasing the size of your herd? Or in purchasing one outright? AgGeorgia connects beef cattle producers and dairy farmers with the funds they need to bolster their operation. As with other AgGeorgia loan products, our flexible scheduling can be adjusted to coincide with your income, to ensure as timely and stress-free a repayment process as possible.
Young, Beginning, Small, and Minority Farmer Loans
Whether you need a loan to buy your first farm, financing to expand your existing farm, or an operating line of credit, AgGeorgia can connect you with the financial tools you need to get ahead. Our experienced staff is committed to helping Young, Beginning, Small, and Minority Farmers start-and stay-on the right track.
With the capacity and experience to finance even the largest agribusiness operations, AgGeorgia is well-equipped to support your latest large-scale venture. Whether you're investing in a shelling plant, gin, peanut buying point, feed mill, or just expanding your current operation, you won’t outgrow AgGeorgia.
Whether you need a mortgage, a loan to finance your operation, or something else entirely, AgGeorgia can connect you with the financial tools you need to stay ahead. Reach out to get the details.
Committed to Ag. Committed to You.
We’ve been proudly providing support and financing for agriculture and rural Georgia for generations. Let AgGeorgia help you grow your farm operation or purchase your country retreat.
An undeveloped tract of land where you can teach your kids to hunt. A quiet country home where you can settle down. Whatever your rural property or farm land needs may be, AgGeorgia has you covered with long-term fixed rates tailored to your financial situation.
Land rent, fertilizer, diesel fuel...just because you have to wait until harvest to get paid doesn’t mean the bills will. AgGeorgia can help with lines of credit to maintain your operation through seasonal cash flow cycles.
“We could never have grown through a local bank the way we've grown through AgGeorgia Farm Credit.”
Larry Cooley, Roberta, GA
2024 Farm Focus Photo Contest
The photo contest entry period is now closed. Winners will be announced on August 15th. The winning photos will be featured in the 2025 AgGeorgia Photo Contest Calendar and gift cards of $250, $150, and $100 will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
AgGeorgia allocates $50,000 annually to support non-profit organizations in their endeavors and to further the future of agriculture in our region of Georgia. The Fund's mission is to build strong partnerships and alliances, leveraging the resources within the fund to preserve and promote the farmer, the family, and our rural communities.
Click below to read about the 2024 Community Mission Fund recipients.
Whether you need a mortgage, a loan to finance your operation, or something else entirely, AgGeorgia can connect you with the financial tools you need to stay ahead. Reach out to get the details.
