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CHAT WITH THE CHIEF
by Tom Tracy, President & C.E.O.
Addressing the Agriculture Efficiency Cycle:
It's Time to Drive Down Production Costs Per Unit
Net farm income is projected to fall over the next decade. Farm balance sheets, while strong today, are at risk of weakening. Is this the start of a "down cycle" in the crop production sector that could lead to a 1980s-type farm crisis? Not necessarily. Producers who see today's environment as an "agriculture efficiency cycle" -- and find ways to drive down cost per unit of production -- can position themselves for continued success.
Read More
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STOCKHOLDER LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Have you considered serving on Farm Credit's Nominating Committee or Board of Directors? If so, the 2015 Nominating Committee wants to hear from you by July 15. Later this summer, the committee will be reviewing potential candidates and selecting a slate of candidates to present at the Association's 2015 Annual Meeting. Please complete a Candidate Interest Form today to submit your name and information. (Pictured below are the 2015 FCI Board of Directors)
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CUSTOMER-MEMBER CONNECTION
Meet Karen Neff of St. Clair County
A Woman Leading the Board
and Loving the Farming Way of Life
Karen Neff inherited her love for agriculture from her dad, who had farmed full time on a family "Homestead Act" farm until he was called to war in the 1950's. She describes her passion and love for farming as something in her blood.
Although she lived in town growing up, she actively pursued agriculture opportunities. She was involved in FFA throughout high school and eventually married a farmer, Richard Neff. She contributes on the Neff's fourth generation farm while also working a management-level off-farm job. Richard and Karen became Farm Credit member-owners in 1984 and in 2007 Karen Neff was elected to the FCI Board of Directors and today serves as the board's chair.
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KOHL-laborations
Commentary, wisdom, and perspectives from globally renowned agricultural economist,
Dr. David Kohl.
Houston, Do We Have Economic Problems?
This famous line modified from the movie Apollo 13 is very appropriate given the current agricultural economic environment. Grain and row crop producers are experiencing the brunt of the blow while many of the livestock sectors have been experiencing relatively profitable economic conditions. Let's explore the challenge parallel to Apollo 13.
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STAFF IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Meet Gary Stephenson of Mahomet
Vice President, Commercial Lending
Gary has worked in the Commercial Lending Department for more than 20 years and recently celebrated his 35th FCI work anniversary in June. He has especially valued opportunities to work with several large Midwest pork operations, grain elevators, input supply businesses, large grain farms, and specialty producers. He serves as a contact for both purchased and sold loan participations with other Farm Credit organizations and commercial banks. Earlier in his career, he served a dual role as Chief Appraiser and Senior Credit Analyst.
Read a Q & A with Gary Stephenson
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FARM CREDIT WANTS TO CELEBRATE YOU!
FCI is celebrating you, the member-owners, with appreciation events! Whether it be a lunch, dinner, golf outing,or clay shoot, FCI wants to thank you. Invitations arrive in the mail from your regional Farm Credit office, but here's a sneak peek at the calendar of upcoming appreciation events. Make plans to join in the fun!
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ENTER TO WIN A HARVEST LUNCH DELIVERED & SERVED TO FAMILY & FRIENDS ON YOUR FARM
Farm Credit Illinois supports National Farm Safety & Health week September 20-26 by serving complimentary lunches to winning farm families during the weeks of September 21 - 25 and September 28 - October 2. This year's theme is "Ag safety is not just a slogan; it's a lifestyle." Register to be included in this drawing by filling out the online registration form. Winners will be contacted by their regional office early to mid-September to arrange the date, location, and headcount for the meal.
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ATTENTION, PHOTOGRAPHERS!
Enter your photos that show agriculture and rural life at its best.
It's that time again! Enter your photos showing agriculture and rural life at their best. The photos can be old, new, artistic, traditional, funny, or heartwarming. One photo per entry (and 10-entry limit per person). Your photo could be selected to appear in FCI's 2016 Focus on Farming calendar.  All submissions will appear on the FCI Facebook page as they are received: www.facebook.com/farmcreditIL. While checking out all the great photos, be sure to "like" your favorites. Likes will be considered in the selection process. Deadline for photo submissions is September 1, 2015.
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A SALUTE TO THE FARM CREDIT SCHOLARS
Farm Credit Illinois hosted a Scholarship Recognition Luncheon in Mahomet on May 28. Seventeen of the 22 Farm Credit Agriculture Scholars of 2015 -- along with more than 75 family members and guests -- participated in the luncheon. Each scholar receives $1,000 during their freshman year in college and will receive another $500 during their third year if they continue pursuing an agriculture degree and career. This year marks the 12th year of the Farm Credit scholarship program. Established in 2004, the program has awarded more than $255,000 of scholarships to 250 students.
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| Meet the 2015 FCI Agriculture Scholars
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PRICE CHECK
Check out a sampling of 53 farmland sales results reported from various farm real estate auctions held in the past 90 days throughout the Farm Credit Illinois service area. Of the real estate auctions reported, farmland with a 1-A land class ranged from a high of $14,000 per acre for 159 acres in Sangamon County on June 16 to a low of $9,900 per acre for 159 acres in Champaign County on March 24. Farmland with a 2-B land class ranged from a high of $10,500 per acre for 40 acres in Macoupin County on March 14 to a low of $7,600 per acre for 25 acres in Madison County sold on May 13. And farmland with a 3-C land class sold as high as $14,326 for 160 acres in Wabash County on March 14 to as low as $970 for 116 acres in Randolph County on May 9.
Recent Auction Prices
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ILLINOIS STATE FFA OFFICERS ELECTED
Congratulations to the new FFA major state officer team elected at the State FFA Convention in Springfield on June 11. They are (from L to R): Front Row - Kade Hill, President, Paxton Buckley-Loda FFA; Kolton Kimpling, Reporter, Woodland FFA; Jordan Johns, Treasurer, Pontiac FFA; Back Row - Connor Carmody, Vice President, Calhoun County FFA; Susie Thompson, Secretary, Central-Burlington FFA. The two Farm Credit associations in Illinois sponsored the Farm Credit Newsroom and coordinated the production and distribution of 94 news releases and 263 digital photographs. The three-day convention drew more than 3,500 FFA member, advisor, parent and guest participants.
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FARM PROGRESS SHOW SEPT. 1, 2 AND 3
 Visit the Farm Credit Tent & Enjoy Music
by "Sara Simmons and the Cornpickers" Join Farm Credit Illinois at the 2015 Farm Progress Show and help celebrate Farm Credit's Centennial. FCI will ring in the countdown to Farm Credit's 100th birthday September 1, 2, and 3 at the Decatur, Illinois farm show. The Farm Credit stage will feature 10 shows by Nashville entertainers Sara Simmons and the Cornpickers. Cash drawings of $100 will be held during each show and you can watch live broadcasts from the Farm Credit stage each afternoon at 2:30 pm with Rita Frazer and the RFD radio network.
In recognition of Farm Credit's 100th birthday, $100,000 will be gifted to Illinois agriculture and you can help designate how the donations will be distributed. Visit us at the show to register for the daily giveaway and select your preferred designation for the Farm Credit $100 K. So stop by and "Give A High Five" to Illinois agriculture.
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SIGN UP TO WIN ONE OF SIX GRILL KITS
Drawing to be held Friday, July 17
Here's a chance to win an "essential" to have during the heat of the Illinois summer. This aluminum storage case contains stainless steel tools featuring elongated handles and convenient handle rings for hanging. The Cuisinart kit includes a chef's spatula (featuring a built-in bottle opener), grill tongs, silicone basting brush, four pairs of corn holders, cleaning brush, and an extra brush head. It's the perfect kit for the on-the-go griller or to keep the grill tools separate from kitchen utensils! (Retail Value $50)
Congratulations to the winners of the "essential" NOAA Weather Alert Radio given away after the spring edition:
- William Dodd of Virden (Macoupin County)
- Patty Huffer of Lincoln (Logan County)
- Linus Schumacher of Teutopolis (Effingham County)
- Corrine Sharp of Decatur (Macon County)
- Darrell Uken of St. Joseph (Champaign County)
- Megan Wilken-Reynolds of Danforth (Iroquois County)
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A WOMAN MAKING THE BACON IN THE BARN
 Meet Clare Schilling of New Athens
Enjoy this video interview with Clare Schilling of New Athens, a 31-year old breed-to-wean hog house manager in St. Clair County. Clare's story was the first in a series on "Women in Agriculture" and was originally featured as an article in the Spring edition of the Farm Credit VIEW.
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WECOME ABOARD
Meet the newest members of the staff team who joined Farm Credit Illinois since April 1, 2015.
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FCI TEAM MILESTONES
A special salute to these employees who reached significant milestones in their years of service to Farm Credit since April 1, 2015:
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