Farm Credit donated $5,000 to the McMinn County FFA toward the construction of a new livestock learning center at the high school campus. The facility offers hands on training for students and provides the opportunity for youth to be engaged in livestock projects. Pictured here are Todd Watson (FCS), Brandon Robbins (FCS Director), Kevin Edwards (ag teacher) and Shane Williams (FCS).

“We’ve needed this center for a long time. It will be a really great expansion of our program and allow kids to have a lot more hands-on activities in their classes,” said Edwards. “The ag teachers (Clay Swartout, Matt Crisp and Edwards), our chapter, FFA alumni, and community all very much appreciate Farm Credit for this large and generous donation, which also encouraged other partners to support us for this last phase of our fundraising.”

The 100’ x 45’ steel frame structure, which is located on the high school’s campus and received primary financing through a grant from the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, is scheduled to open this spring. When operational, the multi-purpose facility will serve as a lab space for the vo-ag program and will include animal pens, livestock handling facilities, and a corral system. There will also be space for small animals and some wildlife projects, with plans to raise quail and wild turkeys from eggs. Some plant projects will be transferred from the current greenhouse to the new facility.

Edwards said that one nice feature of the new learning center will be the opportunities it provides for vo-ag and FFA students who don’t live on farms to be able to have livestock projects.

“A lot of the kids in our program today live in the country, but not on a farm,” he said. “This will enable us to engage a lot more of those kids in SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) programs who may not have the resources for something like that at home.”

Farm Credit financial services officer Shane Williams, of the ag lending cooperative’s Athens office, knows firsthand about the opportunities FFA can provide to young people.

“FFA was one of the most impactful things that happened in my life,” he said. “I had some great role models who encouraged me, and I eventually worked my way up to being a state officer. FFA opened doors I didn’t previously know existed. For me, it was the key to a very successful college experience and business career.”

As a result of his experience, Williams has maintained close ties with FFA and was glad to be able to help secure Farm Credit’s participation in the final phase of the fundraising for the learning center.

“We like to invest some of our earnings in ways that impact the community, and we especially have a heart for anything that engages youth, like 4-H and FFA,” he said. “This program has been very dynamic and successful for the last twenty years, and the opportunity to help the future of our community and agriculture was something we wanted to be involved with.”

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is an $18 billion financial services cooperative serving more than 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also provides an array of financial services, including crop insurance and leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

“I credit a lot of who I am today to 4-H and Camp Ohio,” said Imbody, who had his first camping experience at the beautiful site in northern Licking County at age 9. “Camp offers kids many first-time experiences, and allows them to learn a lot about themselves, plus meet many wonderful people, some of whom become lifelong friends.”

As Imbody moved up the Camp Ohio ladder—from camper to counselor to adult staff to Adventure program instructor to executive director—a very big part of his experience, as well as most other campers, has been the camp’s Adventure Tower. Since it was constructed in 1976, it’s easily been the most popular attraction at the camp, with more than 125,000 young people having conquered challenges and learned teamwork on the structure. But times change, and when a burgeoning number of campers and an aging tower necessitated that a new tower be built, Imbody turned to Farm Credit Services of Mid-America for assistance.

“I’d heard how Farm Credit had given grants to a number of Ohio’s other 4-H camps, so I talked with one of their people, Roger Smith, who is one of our adult 4-H volunteers,” said Imbody. “Roger helped me with the application process, and we received a gift of $20,000, which allowed us to reach our goal. Now we’ll be able to continue to offer a lot of great opportunities to a lot of kids for the next 30 years.”

Construction on the new tower is scheduled to begin this spring and be completed in time for this summer and the 8,000 campers who visit the camp annually. The new facility will be taller and larger, and like its predecessor, will offer a climbing wall and a platform on top, from which campers can rappel down the 38-foot structure. It will also increase from one to two ziplines to offer twice as many campers the ever-popular zipping experiences.

Farm Credit’s Smith, a financial services officer with the ag lending cooperative’s Utica field office, is also a 4-H alum and has spent 30-plus years as a 4-H advisor. He credits 4-H with teaching him some valuable leadership skills and the value of hard work, and wanted to see another generation of kids enjoy some of those same benefits.

“This is a very busy camp, drawing from 18 to 20 surrounding counties, and we saw this as a great use of Farm Credit’s stewardship funds, to help provide this wonderful facility for them,” he said. “For many years, we’ve made it a practice to regularly invest in our communities. They’ve been good to us, and we want to do what we can to support the quality of life there.”

When the new Adventure Tower opens for business this summer, this year’s crop of campers will eagerly begin ascending and descending it in the various activities. But they won’t be the only eager ones.

“Whenever I get a chance, I still enjoy teaching it today, because I can relate to the kids—whether it’s their first time or their tenth. If I hear one of our staff say, ‘We need an instructor for the tower,’ I have this tendency to volunteer,” laughed Imbody.

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is an $18 billion financial services cooperative serving more than 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also provides an array of financial services, including crop insurance and leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

Valparaiso, Indiana (February 8, 2012) — February 2^nd’s Grand Opening for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America newest office in Valparaiso, Indiana drew approximately 100 customers, special guests and FCS employees from several surrounding counties.

The ag lending cooperative, which has 95-year roots financing rural America, opened its the office located in the Eastport Centre at 2901 Leonard Drive.  The new location serves more than 770 customers in Porter, LaPorte, Lake and Starke Counties and is approximately one mile northwest of the former office.

The Grand Opening began with a ribbon cutting with members of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, including President Rex Richard, as well as Bill Oeding from Mayor Jon Costas’ office.

The Valparaiso location opened its doors in mid-December.  It is part of the Farm Credit network, an agricultural cooperative serving more than 92,500 members throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee with assets totaling $18 billion.

The staff includes financial services officers Denise Scarborough, Amy Pelsy and Randi Potts. The customer service representatives are Vicki Barthold, Devra Leonard, Diane Osburn and Kelly Semancik.  Jeff Smoker is the crop insurance specialist.

“The last few months have been an exciting time for us.  We have been overwhelmed by the support of our customers and this community,” said Craig Blume, regional vice president of Farm Credit during the Grand Opening festivities. “We feel this office represents our long-standing commitment to Valparaiso and to serving rural America in general.  We’re glad to have a strong presence in a community that has strong tie to agriculture.”

To contact the Valparaiso office, call 888-212-5308 or go online to www.e-farmcredit.com.

Caption

Jeff Smoker (crop insurance specialist), Vicki Barthold (customer service representative), Phillip Brown (FCS advisor), Diane Osborn (customer service representative), Dick Poe (senior vice president), Rex Richards (president of the Chamber of Commerce), Denise Scarborough (financial services officer), Craig Blume (regional vice president), Kelly Semancik (customer service representative), Amy Pelsy (financial services officer), Bill Oeding (mayor’s office), Randi Potts (financial services representative) and Devra Leonard (customer service representative).

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is an $18 billion financial services cooperative serving more than 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also provides an array of financial services, including crop insurance and leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

“We want to develop 4-H science clubs, starting with two in northern and northeast Indiana, with the overall goal of getting kids interested in science. And we hope that some of them eventually pick science as a career,” she said. “4-H is really good at helping kids figure out what they like and where they excel. Both directly and indirectly, we do a lot of career development.”

Farm Credit staff members Pam Ott and Jim Durr present a $6,000 check to Indiana 4-H Executive Director Shelly Bingle-Coffman (center).

To help these 4-H science clubs get off the ground, Pam Ott of Farm Credit Services recently presented a check for $6,000 to Bingle-Coffman on behalf of the Columbia City, LaGrange, South Bend and Rochester Offices. “Farm Credit has been an absolutely amazing partner with 4-H over the years, and this is just the latest example,” said Bingle-Coffman. “We’re truly grateful for their support.”

Bingle-Coffman explained that the types of science programs vary from region to region, with some being set up as after-school clubs, while others may take the form of a weekend workshops or week-long summer camp. The local Purdue extension educators who work with volunteers to plan and implement the programs have considerable discretion in developing them in ways that will get kids in their area involved.

“We’re trying to be very grassroots about how we develop the programs, so they can be adapted to make them the most effective,” she said. “The key is to find ways to get kids engaged and get them excited.”

Once the clubs have been designed and are in place, Bingle-Coffman said that they will build on ways that 4-H is already involved with science. Some of those ways — like food and crop production—involve 4-H’s traditional tie to agriculture, but will just be more intentional in nature. Related topics include natural resources and water quality, with entire curriculums written for these and other topic areas. She said that young people were particularly excited about robotics and that building wind turbines has also been a popular activity. Bingle-Coffman stated that the science clubs would take on something of a “non-traditional” 4-H flavor.

“A lot of families have the misconception that 4-H is just for rural kids, and that you have to come from a farm or have livestock,” she said. “Like all of 4-H, these clubs will be open to anyone. We want kids and parents to realize that there are are a variety of activities and many different ways for youth to be involved in 4-H.”

She added that the activities performed by the kids in the clubs or camps might not necessarily take the form of a 4-H exhibit that is shown at the fair. Instead, it might involve being part of a robotics contest or science fair.

Bingle-Coffman indicated that the main objectives of the clubs are for the kids to have fun while learning the basics and becoming more inquisitive. For those who find their niche in science, the opportunities of a career could be attractive.

“I hear from ag-related companies all the time how they’re having difficulty filling scientific jobs from within the U.S.,” she said.

For her part, Farm Credit’s Ott said that it was a good feeling to be able to help the science clubs get started.

“So many of our customers and families are involved with 4-H that we already know what a quality program it is,” she said. “This was a little different emphasis, but seemed like a really good way to invest in our communities and our future.”

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is an $18 billion financial services cooperative serving more than 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also provides an array of financial services, including crop insurance and leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

The Kentucky winners include:

• Division I (ages 9-13) – Rachael Drumm, daughter of Jennifer and Joseph Drumm of Clark County – Read essay by Rachael Drumm
• Division II (ages 14-17) – Travis Drumm, son of Jennifer and Joseph Drumm of Clark County – Read essay by Travis Drumm
• Division II (ages 18-21) – Ryan Halligan, of Franklin County – Read essay by Ryan Halligan

The Tennessee winners include:

• Division I (grades 4-5) – Elijah Dotson, son of Rujena and Phillip Dotson of Lincoln County – Read essay by Elijah Dotson
• Division II (grades 6-8) – Kendall Garrell, daughter of Jeanie and George Garrell of Marshall County – Read essay by Kendall Garrell
• Division III (grades 9-11) Samantha Reese, daughter of John and Marty Reese of Marshall County – Read essay by Samantha Reese

FCS Staff Michael Smith and Joel Oney with Kentucky winners Ryan Halligan, Rachael Drumm and Travis Drumm.

Larry McCoy, TCA president, with Tennessee winners Samantha Reese, Kendall Garrell and Elijah Dotson with FCS staff Shane Williams.

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America’s board chair, George Stebbins, encourages FCS involvement in multiple initiatives, sponsorships and scholarships. “Involvement with the Heifer Initiative and other similar youth projects is our way of reinvesting into the future of agriculture. Cultivating these early interests in agriculture will allow for a smooth transition from one generation of farmers to the next,” said Stebbins.

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is an $18 billion financial services cooperative serving more than 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also provides an array of financial services, including crop insurance and leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

FCS, an $18 billion agricultural lending cooperative serving farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, is offering scholarships to college students enrolled in agricultural and business programs. Forty six scholarships ranging in value from $1,000 to $1,500 will be awarded.

“We are invested in the future of agriculture and that future sits with today’s youth,” said George Stebbins, chair of the FCS board. “The winners will be scholarship recipients today and agriculture leaders tomorrow – these scholarships are an investment in the future of our industry.”

The scholarships are available to customers, their dependents, and spouses of the ag lending cooperative. Scholarships will be awarded in April based on academic record, leadership qualities and community involvement. To apply, visit www.e-farmcredit.com, select “Community”, then “Scholarships” or call 1-800-444-3276 to talk to the nearest office about obtaining an application.

Farm Credit awards more than $100,000 in scholastic support each year. In addition to the customer program, FCS also offers scholarships to students attending universities with ag colleges as well as 4-H and FFA scholarships. Information on these scholarships can also be found on the association’s website or by calling the universities or the state offices of the 4-H and FFA.

Click here for more information and the application.

Now, thanks to a $15,000 grant from Farm Credit Services of Mid-America which triggered matching funds from the University, Ricketts and a group of student volunteers will be making a coast-to-coast trip during spring break in a car powered only by hydrogen, solar energy, and ten gallons of cellulosic ethanol.

“This research has some direct implications for American agriculture, and that’s why I appreciate Farm Credit’s donation,” said Ricketts. “We wouldn’t be able to make this trip without their assistance.”

Jack Swanson, Assistant Vice President for Farm Credit, presenting a $15,000 check to Dr. Cliff Ricketts, Professor of Agricultural Education, Middle Tennessee State University for the fuel research program.

The trip will begin in early March in Savannah, GA in a converted Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. On each 750-mile leg of the trip, the first 100 miles will be powered by solar energy, followed by 200 miles of hydrogen gas power. The next 350 miles will be fueled by 85 percent cellulosic ethanol, with the last 100 miles coming from on-board regeneration of the solar-powered batteries. Then the car will be refilled with hydrogen and re-charged solar batteries from an accompanying mobile refueling station that is loaded on a truck and trailer manned by the students. Five days later the car and support crew will roll into Long Beach, CA.

“I figure we’ll average about 60 miles per hour, “said Ricketts. “A car powered by hydrogen runs just as well as one powered by gasoline.”

Although Ricketts’ research has obvious broad implications, the original motivation for it began in 1978 during the Iranian hostage situation and resulting energy crisis, when it was feared that American farmers might not have fuel to harvest their crops. He originally started experimenting with ethanol, then moved on to methane that had been derived from cow manure, then to biodiesel. In 1987, he finally was able start a Briggs & Stratton engine with hydrogen that had been obtained from a process called electrolysis. Subsequent research led to the development of a car that set a land speed record for hydrogen-powered vehicles on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1992, a record that stood for 15 years. (Incidentally, this car was sponsored by the Murfreesboro PCA, a forerunner of Farm Credit Services).

Ricketts readily acknowledges that producing hydrogen from water is not yet price competitive with gasoline, but he feels that in times of national emergencies it could serve as a viable backup source of energy. Correspondingly, he feels that his research has important implications for international peace, the American economy, the environment, and national security.

One of Ricketts’ former student volunteers is Jack Swanson, now an assistant vice president for Farm Credit, based out of the ag lending cooperative’s Lebanon, TN field office. Swanson can still readily identify with his current-day counterparts.

“Those students aren’t receiving any money or grades for helping with this project,” said Swanson. “They do it because they like Doc and the research he does.”

In a twist of fate, Swanson later became the lending officer for Ricketts, who raises beef cattle on the side and whose family has received a Heritage Farm Award as 50-year, third-generation Farm Credit customers. In the course of doing business, Swanson would always ask his old prof about his family and his research, and learned of Ricketts’ need for funding for this phase of the project.

“When I heard about it, I couldn’t think of anything that would be a better use of our stewardship funds,” said Swanson. “I feel our stewardship program is one of the more important things we do as an agricultural lender, and the crux of Dr. Ricketts’ program is to help make the U.S. energy independent. It’s part of our mission to give back some of our earnings to those programs that fuel the future of agriculture.”

Although running coast to coast on nothing but hydrogen, sun and ethanol will be a real shining moment, Ricketts has plans to top that in the summer of 2013, making the same trip on hydrogen from water and solar power alone.

“No goals, no glory,” he smiled.

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $18 billion financial services cooperative serving over 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including including real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also provides an array of financial services, including crop insurance and leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

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The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Farm Credit office in downtown Greensburg and was attended by several Farm Credit board members, advisors and staff as well as Farm Credit builders and contractors. Members of the chamber and Mayor Gary Herbert were also in attendance. The new Greensburg office will be located on the same lot as the current building at 1512 West Main Street.

Staff, Advisors and Board Members of Farm Credit, along with the Mayor and staff of the Chamber were at the January 16 groundbreaking.

Hollie Bunn, Farm Credit’s regional vice president southwest Indiana, said the new office will represent the latest in technology and design and will be able to accommodate a growing staff.  “The location of our office was perfect in terms of customer access, but the current building really didn’t project the image or have the space or technology needs to keep pace with an ever-evolving agricultural market.” Bunn said the old building will be demolished to make way for the new 3,800 square foot facility which should be open by mid-2012.

Farm Credit Services is an agricultural cooperative lender serving more than 92,500 members throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.  Headquartered in Louisville, Farm Credit has offered loans for farm and rural financial needs for 95 years, including real estate, operating, equipment and housing loans plus related services, such as crop insurance and leasing. With 92 offices and more than 925 employees, Farm Credit is backed by the strength of $18 billion in loan assets. Locally, the Greensburg staff serves 790 customers with a $190 million portfolio in the six-county area of Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland.

The nine-person staff at Greensburg includes Financial Services Officers Brett Anderson, John Evans and Tony Denger.  Customer Service Representatives are Sally Cuskaden, Jackie Bedel and Jenny Jones.  Other staff members are Office Assistant Kathleen Lecher, Crop Insurance Specialist Cody Gault and Appraiser Gus Spiccuza.

Farm Credit's Indiana Board members were at the Greensburg groundbreaking. Additionally, board chair George Stebbins from Ohio was in attendance.

The Greensburg office represents the 20th renovation or rebuild in a series of construction projects over the last five years for the ag lending cooperative with the objective to modernize and update offices.  An additional four office building projects, three of which are in Indiana, are scheduled for completion by the end of 2012.

To contact the Farm Credit call 1-877-850-6488 or go online to www.e-farmcredit.com.

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $18 billion financial services cooperative serving over 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including including real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also provides an array of financial services, including crop insurance and leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

Caption:

Staff members and directors of Farm Credit as well as others involved in the new building project attended the groundbreaking ceremony.  Show here are Front row (left to right): Jeff Emsweller (Executive Director of Decatur County Chamber of Commerce), Mayor Gary Herbert, Gary Davis (FCS advisor), David Lynn (FCS leader), John Evans (FCS Financial Services Officer), Jenny Jones (FCS Customer Service Representative), Hollie Bunn (FCS leader), Kevin Cox (FCS Board), Kaye Whitehead (FCS Board), George Stebbins (FCS Board Chair).  Back row (left to right): Kathleen Lecher (FCS Office Assistant), Tony Denger (FCS Financial Services Officer), Cody Gault (FCS Crop Insurance Specialist), Brett Anderson (FCS Financial Services Officer), Jackie Bedel (FCS Customer Service Representative), Rick Stahl (builder), Sally Cuskaden (FCS Customer Service Representative), Kathryn Eschbacher-Timberlake (FCS Board) and Tony Wolfe (FCS Board)

Photos by Rob Cox with the Greensburg Daily News

“It was very much like ‘taking the blinders off,’” said Benavides. “Not only did I learn about diverse types of farming operations across the state, I got to know many young leaders whose passion for agriculture and abilities are absolutely amazing. It also really helped me see a different side of farmers, and how policy changes can directly affect their lives and livelihoods.”

Benavides was so impressed with his experience that when he had the opportunity to give something back, he responded by helping AgriPOWER secure a $4,500 Farm Credit corporate stewardship donation. The gift was presented recently and will fund the tuition for a future member of the Institute.

“We’re extremely appreciative of Farm Credit’s gift,” said Sandy Kuhn, AgriPOWER director. “It seems like agriculture is constantly finding itself on the defensive about any number of issues these days, and AgriPOWER is developing future leaders and current advocates to be better able to tell agriculture’s story—like how important it is for each of us to eat on a daily basis, and how Ohio farmers are doing the right things, at the right times, for the right reasons. This gift helps us accomplish those kinds of objectives.”

Farm Credit's David Benavides secured the recent donation to AgriPower. He is pictured here (standing far right) with his 2010 Class during a breakfast at the Ohio Governor's Residence and Heritage Garden.

The AgriPOWER Institute was launched in 2008 by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation as an elite program for highly-motivated young farm leaders and agribusiness professionals. The yearlong program focuses on public policy issues confronting agriculture and the food industry such as animal activists, climate change and trade policies. It helps participants develop the skills necessary to become effective leaders and advocates for agriculture by learning from experts in these fields.

The program consists of seven multi-day institutes (17 days total) and covers public policy matters facing local communities, the state of Ohio, the nation and the world. One of the sessions is held in Washington, D.C., to help class members gain a better understanding of national and global issues. To date there have been three classes of the AgriPOWER Institute, with 62 alumni. Class IV is currently in progress with 19 participants.

Kuhn said that follow-up studies have shown that AgriPOWER has been effective in preparing participants to move into leadership positions in local boards, churches, Farm Bureaus, and chambers of commerce, as well as some state organizations. Benavides feels that the training he received gave him a much greater appreciation for the need for people to speak up about agriculture.

“It helps participants understand that we have a voice and that we need to be telling the stories of what farming really is, rather than the perceptions many people today have,” he said. “It’s our job to educate consumers what farmers do, why they do it, and where their food comes from. That’s why I wanted to help Farm Credit give something back (to AgriPOWER). For things that are important to agriculture, we need to be engaged.”

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is $18 billion financial services cooperative serving over 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including including real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also provides an array of financial services, including crop insurance and leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

“It’s therapeutic to be able to come home, change clothes, and get outside—rain or shine—and walk through the cows and calves,” said Miller. “For me, nothing’s more relaxing.”

Miller’s agricultural roots run deep. His farm was once owned by his grandparents, and is where his dad and aunts and uncles grew up. When Aaron was a kid, his dad, grandfather, and uncle all farmed together, raising hogs, beef cattle, and tobacco.

Once Miller got to high school, FFA was a natural fit. He began to learn leadership skills, first as a chapter officer, then as a regional officer, and finally as a state officer.

“Through FFA, I learned a lot about working with people, networking, and public speaking,” he said. “FFA gave me a foundation for a lot of things I still use today.”

Then it was off to the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, where he started out majoring in animal science, with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. However in his sophomore year, he took a course in farm management taught by Dr. Steve Isaacs. Miller liked the course and Isaacs so well, that with Isaacs’ encouragement, he picked up an additional major in agricultural economics.

In his junior year, the college hosted a career day, and one of the visiting firms was Farm Credit Services of Mid-America. Miller’s parents were (and are) long-time members, so he was familiar with Farm Credit, and signed up for an interview. Soon after, Miller was selected for an internship, which turned out to be a great experience.

“About two weeks into it, I decided that this is where I wanted to work when I graduated,” said Miller. “I really enjoyed the internship, and still have my internship project.”

Miller committed to Farm Credit early in his senior year, and following graduation, went to work as a trainee in the Hardinsburg field office. That was followed by stops at offices in Lexington and Richmond. Career progress was steady, culminating in a promotion to Regional Vice President at the start of 2011. Miller, now 31, is quick to give credit where it’s due for his success.

“I’ve been fortunate to have some great mentors along the way—people like Rita Tate, Dick Poe, and Beverly Gifford—who believed in me and have been a tremendous help in getting me started and helping me grow. One of my goals as a leader is to try to do the same for the people working for me now.”

While at Farm Credit, Miller picked up an MBA degree from UK, with the help of Farm Credit’s Educational Assistance Program.

“Farm Credit’s been wonderful to me, and has been a great place to work,” he said. “They’re committed to agriculture, and equally committed to their staff. I really enjoy my customers too. I like to think of my job as ‘financing dreams for people who enjoy agriculture.’ It’s very rewarding when you can do that every day.”

In 2009 Miller was selected as a member of the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program (KALP), a rigorous 18-month program which further trains some of the state’s best and brightest young ag leaders to step up to greater leadership roles in promoting Kentucky agriculture. There he was reunited with his old college mentor, Steve Isaacs, a co-director of the program.

Miller says KALP helped him better understand the big picture of his role as an ag lender, and hopes to become active in Kentucky’s Farm Bureau to help promote and defend the future of Kentucky agriculture. He hopes a small part of that includes his own children.

“My wife Melissa grew up on a dairy and tobacco farm and farming’s in our blood,” he said. “We have a daughter, Mattie, 4, and a son, Avery, 3, who each already have their own cows. It’s important to us for our kids to understand agriculture, to learn the values, and feel the pride and ownership that comes with growing up on a farm.”

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is an $18 billion financial services cooperative serving over 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including including real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also provides an array of financial services, including crop insurance and leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.