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If you keep checking back here for current news and information regarding MidAtlantic Farm Credit and the agriculture industry, we're sorry that we have kept you waiting.  In an effort to give you the best reading experience, we have moved our blog to a new site.

And...since you are already here, please take the time to check out and subscribe to our new blog site - www.mafc.com/blog.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

5 Tips to Stretch Your Grocery Dollars

Eating healthy and saving money are two important things to most of us, but they don’t always seem to go hand in hand.  We believe that planning ahead is the key to serving a nutritious meal and not emptying your wallet each trip to the grocery store.

Consider these tips to stretch your grocery dollars and eat healthier:

1. Know your food budget and shop with a list.
2. Plan nutritious meals and snacks to prepare at home.
3. Use nutrition facts labels to make informed food choices.
4. Reduce impulse purchases by not shopping when hungry.
5. Serve recommended portion sizes to save calories and money.

You probably have money saving and healthy eating tips that you use every day, in addition to our list, that help you stretch your food dollar.  Please, feel free to share them below in the comments section!

West Virginia is looking for big trees!

Do you want to see some of the state’s biggest trees?  There is no better time than now, while the weather is nice and before the leaves start falling off this autumn.  To make your expedition to the largest trees in the state of West Virginia easier, the state department of forestry has made a list of big trees that grow on public areas.  You can find that list here.

Or, maybe you think you have a big tree that others need to check out. If so, you can even enter your own into the register here.  Just be ready to submit the measurements of the tree’s circumference, total height, crown spread, and the location with your nomination.  Then, someone from the department of forestry will come to verify the tree before it is submitted to the registry.

Forestry is a significant part of our agriculture industry and should be recognized by all.  What do you think – would you visit the big trees or do you have one to submit? Comment and let us know!

Agriculture is More Than Food

When someone mentions the word “agriculture,” what is the first thing that comes to mind?  For some, it may be farming and food production.  And although a large portion of agriculture goes towards feeding the nation, that is not the only industry that agriculture contributes to.  Unfortunately, the other industries are often overlooked in terms of agriculture.

Products we use (not eat) everyday come from plant and animal byproducts produced by America’s farmers and ranchers.  Here are a few examples of these products being used in other industries, besides food:

• Manufacturing – adhesives, lubricants, solvents, detergents, polymers
• Construction – lumber, paints, brushes, tar paper, drywall, tool handles, particle board
• Health Care – pharmaceuticals, surgical sutures, ointments, latex gloves, x-ray film
• Personal Care Products – shampoo, soap, cosmetics, lotions, fingernail polish, toothpaste
• Transportation – biofuels including ethanol and biodiesel, lubricants, antifreeze, tires, upholstery, packing materials
• Sports – uniforms, baseball bats, leather equipment and balls, shoes
• Printing – paper, ink
• Education – crayons, textbooks, chalk, desks, pencils, paper
• Entertainment – strings for musical instruments

Did you know that agriculture contributed to all of these products within the listed industries?  As agriculturalists, it’s important for us to inform the public that agriculture is important for our food supply, and the functionality of our careers and everyday lives.

Could you use an extra $250?

We’ll ask you again (as if we don’t already know the answer), but could you use an extra $250?  If so, enter your best ag-related photo from your local fair in our photo contest on Facebook.

So what kind of photos are we looking for?  Anything that represents agriculture taken at a fair – shots of your kids winning their first blue ribbon, in the petting zoo, checking out the equipment, and more!  Your creativity could land you the grand prize.

But, you’ll need to hurry because the deadline to enter is September 30, 2012 and then we’ll open up the polls for public voting.  We can’t wait to see your favorite fair memories – Good luck!

Back to School (Already?)!

It’s that time of the year again…

The school buses are loaded with children dreaming of the next summer vacation, teachers are back in action, and the supply shelves at Wal-Mart are wiped clean.  It’s truly the meaning that summer is over. L

Here is a funny “back to school” joke – Nathan came home from his first day of school and his mother asked, “What did you learn today?” He replied, “Not enough. I have to go back tomorrow.”

As your children are back to hitting the books, what will you be doing – relaxing or taking on your role as a “taxi driver” again?  Comment below and let us know.  And we wish you and your children a fantastic school year!

MidAtlantic Farm Credit Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

Westminster, MD - August 16, 2012

MidAtlantic Farm Credit, a members-owned cooperative and a lending institution of the nation-wide Farm Credit System, recently announced financial results for the second quarter of 2012.

Net income for the second quarter and first half of 2012 was $15.8 million and $26.5 million, compared with $10.3 million and $21.1 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2011. Average loan volume for the first half was $2.185 billion, compared to $2.301 billion for the same period in 2011.

"While it's always tempting to want more growth," says Bob Frazee, CEO of MidAtlantic Farm Credit, "we are proud of the fact that farmers are doing well in our region and that they are able to pay down their debt. We know that farming is cyclical, and it is a good sign that our borrowers are taking advantage of the trend of higher commodity prices, and preparing for the next down cycle."

Members have been cautious about incurring more debt in MidAtlantic’s five-state territory; the lender’s portfolio has been showing a positive trend in credit quality. Nonaccrual loans decreased to $62.3 million at June 30, 2012, compared to $69.6 million at December 31, 2011 and $95.9 million at June 30, 2011. The Association’s nonaccrual loans as a percentage of total loans also decreased to 2.89 percent at the end of the quarter, compared to 3.21 percent at the end of 2011.

During the second quarter of 2012, the Association recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.75 million, compared to $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2011. For the first half of 2012, the provision for loan losses with was $3.5 million, compared to $6.0 million in the first half of 2011.

MidAtlantic’s capital ratios remain well in excess of regulatory minimums. At June 30, 2012, shareholder’s equity totaled $440.2 million, and the permanent capital ratio was 17.64 percent, compared with the 7.00 percent minimum mandated by the Farm Credit Administration (FCA).

Results for the second quarter of 2012 included a $3.8 million distribution from the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation, which insures the System’s debt obligations.