Issue 3 -  2016
Spring - A Edition
In celebration of the 100th year of Farm Credit, the "Centennial Chronicle" highlights significant milestones of the Farm Credit System. 

Financial Snapshot         
First Quarter Business Results
Introducing FCI's Agriculture Scholars
The Class of 2016

Twenty-four high school seniors pursing an agriculture degree and career have been selected as the 2016 Farm Credit Agriculture Scholars, with two designated as Urban Agriculture Scholars. Students receive $1,500 towards their college education. Since the program's start in 2004, nearly $300,000 of scholarships have been awarded to 274 students.
Effective July 1, 2016, the Funds Held program will begin crediting balances an interest rate 2.0% less than the bill rate on the related loan. The program will continue allowing advance payments up to the unpaid principal balance of the loan and up to 12 withdrawals during any calendar year.

Contact your FCI relationship manager to explore your operation's most appropriate Funds Held strategies before the program change.
 
Stockholder Leadership Opportunities        
 
2016 FCI Board of Directors

Ever considered serving on Farm Credit's nominating committee or board of directors? If so, the 2016 nominating committee wants to know. Fill out a candidate interest form to submit your name and information by July 15. Following the deadline, the committee will review potential candidates to present at the Association's 2016 annual meeting.
"Fresh Perspectives" Celebrated Nationally
Local Honorees Among The Top 100

 
 
On National Ag Day, the Farm Credit Council announced the top 100 "Fresh Perspectives" who are changing rural communities and agriculture for the better. The following honorees have connections to FCI's 60-county service area: Dr. Robert Easter, Alyssa Garner & Kirsten Kapraun, Courtney Gerstenecker, and the Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Planning Committee.
 
KOHL-laborations
Commentary from agricultural economist Dr. David Kohl
 

It's Not Rocket Science: Going Back to the Basics


An online comment made after a presentation on the economic reset and need for solid 2016 financial management caught my attention: "These guys are getting paid to make it sound like rocket science!"

While this comment was made in jest, I believe this period of economic reset requires good, old-fashioned basics of financial management - nothing as complicated as rocket science.
Community Improvement Grants
Lending Support for Healthy Rural Communities

FCI has awarded 60 4-H clubs and FFA chapters with $250 community improvement
grants to make tangible improvements in their local communities. More than $60,000 in
grant funds have been awarded to clubs and chapters since the program's start in 2008.
 
Growing Connections
Meet Members Named 2016 Prairie Farmer Master Farmers

Congratulations to Reggie & Norma Jean Dowell and Bill & Brenda Raben on being named 2016 Prairie Farmer Master Farmers! Farm Credit Illinois is proud to partner with these couples as they join the ranks of more than 300 farmers who exhibit outstanding production practices and community service.
 
Reggie & Norma Jean Dowell, of Greenview, are the first to be featured. Check back in future editions of Essentials for a profile on Bill & Brenda Raben.
 
Price Check
Land Sales in the Last 90 Days
 

The Price Check listing includes results for 81 different farmland auctions held during the first quarter of 2016 representing more than 6,100 total acres which sold for a grand total of more than $51 million. The FCI appraisal team notes that while the listing only includes auctions with a successful bidder, there was an increasing number of farmland auctions which ended with a "No Sale". While many of those "No Sales" at the public auction still closed following the auction privately at a higher price than the final bid, private sale prices are not available to the public and, consequently, are not included in the Price Check listing.
 
On The Block
Upcoming Farmland Auction Listings
FARMLAND INFORMATIONAUCTION INFORMATION
CountyTotal
Acres		Tillable
Acres		DateTimeCityWeblink
Madison
13646
04/05/16
7:00 pm
Edwardsville
Madison
6054
04/09/16
10:00 am
Bethalto
St. Clair
152109
04/12/16
6:30 pm
Mascoutah
Clay
 195154
04/19/16
6:00 pm
Ingraham
Bond
172136
04/21/16
6:30 pm
Altamont 
Jasper
8071
04/28/16
6:00 pm
Teutopolis

 

Farm Credit Illinois maintains a list of upcoming farmland auctions submitted within the Association's 60-county marketplace. The listing is updated weekly at www.farmcreditIL.com.

Submit upcoming auctions at www.farmcreditIL.com/auctioninfo.
 
Essentials Raffle & Reactions
Enter to Win One of Six Emergency Weather Radios
Drawing to be held April 20

Here's a chance to win an "essential" to keep handy during the Illinois storm season. The weather radio, WR-099, is a Digital AM/FM NOAA Weather Alert Radio, a powerful LED flashlight, and five way charger - including a hand crank and solar panel charger. You can fully charge the WR-099 through the USB/AC/DC adaptor and then charge cell phones, mp3 and mp4 players, and USB devices without cranking. (Retail Value $45)





Congratulations to the winners of the $100 gift card to the restaurant of their choice following the February edition:
  • Delores Bauersachs of Campbell Hill (Perry County); Lone Star Steakhouse
  • Louis Johnson of Shipman (Macoupin County); Moonlight - Fosterburg
  • James St. Peter of Gilman (Iroquois County); Red Lobster
  • Debbie Pribble of Thompsonville (Williamson County); Red Lobster
  • Dennis Stevens of Pleasant Plains (Sangamon County); LongHorn Steakhouse
 
Welcome Aboard
Meet the Newest Team Members
 
Issue 2 Survey Results
Readers Predict Best & Worst Candidate for Ag


In the Feb. 20, 2016 edition of Essentials, we asked readers to predict which presidential candidate would be best (and be worst) for agriculture if elected. Out of more than 500 responders, here are the results:
Farm Credit Illinois | 877.327.6345 | info@farmcreditIL.com | www.farmcreditIL.com
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