USDA crop insurance education program to target Mid-Atlantic states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that it would begin an education and outreach program to teach small farmers in 47 states about crop insurance.

The USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) will have about $13.6 million in funding - from two different sources - to help teach farmers how to remain productive while managing risk, according to a release from the federal body. Proper risk management will likely help producers handle their farm credit.

Sixteen states will receive extra attention in the effort because they have been underserved in respect to farm insurance education in the past. These states include Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the RMA's program will be important for farmers in the targeted states, as well as those in other parts of the country.

"USDA is committed to diversity, inclusion and performance in everything we do, and we need to continue to ensure opportunities in agriculture for all Americans," he said. "Through these partnerships, traditionally underserved agricultural producers and those in targeted states will receive assistance in understanding and using risk management tools."

The RMA was established in 1996 to help farmers and agricultural producers better manage their businesses' risks.

Farm credit crop insurance agents are also available to answer any producers’ questions about the programs. They can be reached at 888.339.3334.

$18,000 in scholarships available through MidAtlantic Farm Credit

Westminster MD (October 31, 2011)—MidAtlantic Farm Credit announces the availability of twelve scholarships totaling over $18,000 for members or children of members who plan to attend or are continuing their education at a two- or four-year college or a technical school on a full-time basis.

Applications are available at any of MidAtlantic’s office or you can apply online by visiting their website at mafc.com. Applications must be received by January 13, 2012; winners will be selected by February 24, 2012. Winners will be recognized at MidAtlantic’s annual stockholder meetings in April.

“As a member-owned cooperative, we take a strong interest in the future success of our members,” says Bob Frazee, President and CEO of MidAtlantic. “We feel it is important to help promote the education of our membership—current and future—and our scholarship program is one way in which we’re doing that. Programs like this that advance our membership towards their goals, are just one more benefit of belonging to a cooperative.”

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. The co-op has over 10,500 members and approximately $2.2 billion in loans outstanding. MidAtlantic has branches serving Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit mafc.com.



Media Contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
MidAtlantic Farm Credit
800.333.7950
swieber@mafc.com

Farm Credit Showcases Local Foods to Congress

Farm Credit Showcases Local Foods to Congress

Washington, DC—Four local Farm Credit associations recently hosted an event for Legislators and their legislative assistants. The event, held May 25, featured produce and gourmet dishes all grown by Farm Credit member-borrowers in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Over 175 elected officials and staff members attended the event, which has been held annually since 1995.

“This event is a great opportunity to remind our legislators how important agriculture is to the health and economy of the country,” said Dave Lawrence, CEO of Farm Credit of the Virginias, one of the Farm Credit organizations that sponsored the event.

“So many members of Congress are from urban centers, and they’re not as familiar with the challenges that rural Americans face,” said Bob Frazee, CEO of MidAtlantic Farm Credit, which serves Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. “This event is a great opportunity to educate them on farming, and the need for a stable source of capital for agriculture.”
Congressmen Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Tim Holden (D-PA) served as co-hosts of the event.

Farm Credit is a nationwide cooperative lender, with over 500,000 member-borrowers, and a portfolio of over $160 billion in the United States.

Media Contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
800.333.7950
swieber@mafc.com

Results of Elections Announced by MidAtlantic Farm Credit

Westminster MD (May 16, 2011) – MidAtlantic Farm Credit, an agricultural lending cooperative, recently announced the results of their annual election of board and nominating committee members.

The following were elected to serve on the cooperative’s board of directors: Paul D. Baumgardner, Emmitsburg, MD; Gary L. Grossnickle, Walkersville, MD; Dale R. Hershey, Manheim, PA; T. Jeffery Jennings, Luray, VA; M. Wayne Lambertson, Pocomoke City, MD; Dale J. Ockels, Milton, DE; Lingan T. Spicer, Church Creek, MD; and Christopher R. Stiles, Berryville, VA.

Elected to serve on the 2012 nominating committee were: C. Breckenridge Debnam, Chestertown, MD; Jerry A. Burner, Luray, VA; Charles R. Garber, Timberville, VA; Lawrence Z. Good, Womelsdorf, PA; Douglas W. Green, Princess Anne, MD; Rodney G. Harbaugh, Rocky Ridge, MD; Burton D. Messick, Laurel, DE; Henry T. Oakley, Sr., Salisbury, MD; James Brian Quinn, Kennedyville, MD; Jeremy J. Wagerman, Taneytown, MD; Jay L. Weaver, Myerstown, PA; and Fred N. West, III, Frankford, DE

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. The co-op has over 10,500 members and approximately $2.3 billion in loans outstanding. MidAtlantic has branches serving Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit mafc.com.



Media Contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
MidAtlantic Farm Credit
800.333.7950
swieber@mafc.com

MidAtlantic Farm Credit announces stockholder meeting dates

Westminster, MD (March 14, 2011) – Customers of MidAtlantic Farm Credit (MAFC) should plan to attend one of the sectional stockholders’ meetings scheduled in April. Meeting attendees will join fellow stockholders, directors and staff of MAFC for a meal and fellowship as well as hear an update on the association’s plans for 2011. Entertainment will follow the business portion of the meeting at all locations.

Registration for the meetings will begin at 6:15 p.m. with dinner being served at 7:00 p.m. The meeting dates and sites are as follows:
• April 5 The Fountains, Salisburgy MD
• April 6 Modern Maturity Center, Dover DE
• April 7 Yoder’s Restaurant, New Holland PA
• April 12 Walkersville Fire Hall, Walkersville MD
• April 13 Millwood Station, Winchester VA

Eligible stockholders will participate in the election of directors and nominating committee members at the meeting. In addition, mail-in ballots will be sent to all eligible voting stockholders home address on April 20. MidAtlantic President, Bob Frazee, invites all stockholders to attend the meeting most convenient to them. “It was another successful year for MidAtlantic,” noted Frazee. “I hope many of our customers will attend to hear a brief report on last year’s financial results and to learn what management has planned this year to try and repeat last year’s results.”

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is one of the largest agricultural lenders on the east coast. They are part of the national Farm Credit System, a cooperative lender with more than 500,000 borrowers and a portfolio of over $160 billion in the United States.

Media Contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
MidAtlantic Farm Credit
800.333.7950
swieber@mafc.com

Amber Bullock hired as MidAtlantic Farm Credit intern

Westminster, Md. (February 16, 2011) – How do you get a job without experience? And how do you get experience without a job?

Amber N. Bullock of Magnolia, DE, who has been hired as an intern to work in the MidAtlantic Farm Credit (MAFC) marketing department will be solving this problem by taking advantage of the opportunity to work and learn in the real work environment with mentors and professionals. The opportunity is a major step in preparing college students to enter the world of life after college.

Bullock majors in Food and Agribusiness Marketing & Management at the University of Delaware. She currently serves as the state president of the Delaware Future Farmers of America. She is also a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association Team, and serves as a Blue Hen Ambassador, giving educational tours to prospective new college students.

Amber’s hometown is Harrington, DE where she grew up on a family farm. She graduated from Lake Forest High School.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is pleased to offer internship positions to college students. “We feel the students bring diversity to our offices, offering a fresh perspective and varying backgrounds for our staff and our customers. We often learn from them as much as they learn from us,” says Lynn Hempey of MAFC’s Human Resource Department.

About MidAtlantic Farm Credit
MidAtlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. The co-op has 10,200 members and $2.3 billion in loans outstanding. MidAtlantic Farm Credit is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit www.mafc.com.


Media contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
MidAtlantic Farm Credit
410.259.2625
SWieber@MAFC.com

MidAtlantic Farm Credit awards borrowers $19.6 million to close a financially successful 2010

Westminster, Md. (January 24, 2011) – MidAtlantic Farm Credit is celebrating a financially robust 2010 by distributing $11.6 million in profit-sharing checks to its member-borrowers. In addition to $8 million distributed earlier, this results in $19.6 million in cash being returned to our members for 2010.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit serves borrowers in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

“Last year’s performance shows a strong improvement over 2009,” said MidAtlantic Farm Credit President and CEO Bob Frazee. “MidAtlantic Farm Credit has certainly experienced some upward momentum over the past year.”

As a co-op, MidAtlantic Farm Credit shares a portion of its annual profits with borrowers each year. In the past 10 years, MidAtlantic Farm Credit has distributed more than $200 million in dividends. Historically, at least 70 percent of annual profits are returned to member-borrowers.

About MidAtlantic Farm Credit
MidAtlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. The co-op has 10,200 members and $2.3 billion in loans outstanding. MidAtlantic Farm Credit is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit www.mafc.com.


Media contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
MidAtlantic Farm Credit
410.259.2625
SWieber@MAFC.com