AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA

Transcription

1 PO Box 718 Statesboro, GA PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA SC PERMIT 785 AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA 2015 ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS Monday, October 19, 2015 The Cinema, Old Orangeburg Mall Orangeburg, SC Tuesday, October 20, 2015 First Presbyterian Christian Life Center Clinton, SC Monday, October 26, 2015 First Baptist Church Statesboro, GA Tuesday, October 27, 2015 Life Springs Church Zebulon, GA Stockholder Information TIME SENSITIVE Please Open Immediately ~1~

2 2015 ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION STATEMENT You are cordially invited to attend the meeting(s) of your choice! Sectional Meeting Date Location Orangeburg, South Carolina Monday, October 19, 2015 Clinton, South Carolina Tuesday, October 20, 2015 Statesboro, Georgia Monday, October 26, 2015 The Cinema, Old Orangeburg Mall 1175 Orangeburg Mall Circle Orangeburg, South Carolina First Presbyterian Christian Life Center 303 East Centennial Street Clinton, South Carolina First Baptist Church of Statesboro 108 North Main Street Statesboro, Georgia Zebulon, Georgia Tuesday, October 27, 2015 Life Springs Church Highway 109 East Zebulon, Georgia New Location MEETING BEGINS WITH DINNER AT 6:30 P.M. REGISTRATION Visit our website or Call toll free extension 6732, or Return the enclosed postcard QUESTIONS & SUGGESTIONS Cards will be distributed at meeting registration and a link provided on the Association s website to gather your questions and suggestions for the Board of Directors. A written response will be sent by separate mailing to all stockholders. BUSINESS SESSION Report from Board of Directors Review of operating results Election of 5 directors Election of 2016 Nominating Committee PRIZES - variety of door prizes given away Grand Prize Association Surplus Vehicle (one vehicle to be given away at each meeting) Only voting C stockholders are eligible for the vehicle and must be present to win. VOTING STOCKHOLDER Stockholders entitled to vote ( C stockholders) may do so by attending any of the meetings. However, eligible stockholders may vote only once regardless of the number of sectional meetings attended. As of August 31, 2015, the number of C stockholders entitled to vote is 7,466. All C stockholders of record on August 31, 2015 will be eligible to vote for all seats. A majority vote of stockholders present is required on all votes. The voting C stockholder package includes all director and nominating committee information. ANNUAL REPORT (FCA Regulation ) The 2014 Annual Report was mailed to stockholders in March It was also made available for viewing on the Association s website ( com) when the report was submitted to the Farm Credit Administration within 75 days of year end. You may request a copy by contacting any branch of AgSouth Farm Credit. DISCLOSURE INFORMATION (FCA Regulation ) AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA has had loans outstanding during the last full fiscal year to date to its senior officers, directors and director nominees, their immediate family members and organizations with which such senior officers, directors or director nominees are affiliated. These loans were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on the same terms (including interest rate, amortization schedule and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. No loan to a senior officer, director, director nominee or to any organization affiliated with such person, or any immediate family member who resides in the same household as such person or in whose loan or business operation such person has a material financial or legal interest, involved more than the normal risk of collectability. We are required to report that Phillip Love attended less than 75% of board meetings during No director resigned or declined to stand for re-election since the last annual meeting because of policy disagreements with the board. NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR (FCA Regulation ) Will be considered for every open stockholder-elected director position Will be accepted at the first sectional meeting only Must be made by a voting stockholder Must be seconded by a voting stockholder Must be accepted by the nominee Nominee must complete in writing at the meeting all disclosures required by FCA regulation ~2~

3 CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Name Position Type Agriculture Age Year First Elected Term Expires Arthur Q. Black Director Fruits, Vegetables James C. Carter, Jr. Director Fruits, Vegetables Thomas H. Coward Director Horses Loy D. Cowart, Jr. Director Timber, Row Crops Lee H. DeLoach Director Timber, Hay, Cattle, Landlord Walter W. Douglas Outside Director N/A A. Harvey Lemmon Director Cattle Phillip E. Love, Jr. Outside Director N/A Eugene W. Merritt, Jr. Director Nursery Jimmy B. Metts Director Timber Jerome G. Parker Director Pecans William T. Robinson Vice-Chairman Timber, Row Crops, Cattle, Hay Charles C. Rucks Chairman Beef Cattle, Hay Hugh E. Weathers Director Dairy, Row Crops David H. Womack Outside Director N/A Lydia M. Yon Director Cattle DIRECTOR ELECTION REGIONS Election Region Voting Stockholders Counties Region 1 2,601 Region 2 1,618 Region 3 1,881 Region 4 1,366 Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York Butts, Carroll, Clayton, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Gwinnett, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Pike, Putnam, Rockdale, Spalding, Talbot, Troup, Upson and Walton Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Montgomery, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Ware, Wayne and Wheeler Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper and Orangeburg DIRECTOR POSITIONS Following is a list of nominees selected by the 2015 Nominating Committee. The age, city of residence and principal occupation/employment during the past five years of each nominee is given. Also included are the names of any entity on which these nominees serve and the principal business in which the entity is engaged. There are no events to report that are material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of any of these nominees to serve as a director. The nominees have completed disclosure documents as required under and of the FCA Regulations. TERMS Based on Association bylaw and action of the AgSouth Board of Directors, the 2015 Nominating Committee was tasked with allocating four (4) year terms to four of the five seats up for election and one (3) year term to the remaining seat. This allows for staggering of the terms to ensure at least one seat is up for election in any given year, as required by FCA Regulation ~3~

4 REGION 1 - SEAT 1 - FOUR YEAR TERM Eugene W. Merritt, Jr. (Incumbent) Age - 71 I have been involved in agriculture all of my life. The field of agriculture and ag related enterprises have never been more important. It is essential to preserve agriculture in our communities, state and nation as well. We must be willing to change, modernize and employ all of the related assets that we have available to us. I think history proves that the farmers of this country have the ability, desire and perception to make these changes and keep agriculture as the most important field in a growing thriving society. Business Address: 8515 Highway 81 N., Easley, SC Past 5 Years Ornamental Tree Farmer Merritt Brothers Tree Farm Landscaper Merritt Brothers, Inc. The Jackson Companies (Recreational) - Director Merritt Brothers, Inc. (Commercial Landscape) Officer Merritt Brothers Tree Farm (Ornamental Tree Farm) Officer McTimber LLC, Partner (Hunting and Recreational) Partner Mount Moriah Baptist Church Elder Brother Hugh F. Ables, Jr. Age - 55 As a 4th generation farmer, agriculture has opened many doors for my family and I. Now, we as farmers must open the door to the general public as the voice for agriculture. We need to instill in them that we are stewards of the land and we do provide a safe, sustainable and valuable service they can trust. Business Address: 368 Smith Dairy Rd., Westminster, SC Past 5 Years Poultry and Beef Producer - Chikamoo Farms Farmer Row crops, wheat, corn and soybeans Oconee County Conservation Bank Board (Conservation Easements) Board Member Spouse, Son REGION 1 - SEAT 2 - FOUR YEAR TERM John Jay Peay Age - 53 I grew up on a small farm. My dad was an agriculture teacher and raised cattle and pigs and my grandparents were egg farmers. I ve had to clean chicken houses, bail and haul hay and feed the livestock and I especially enjoyed the livestock auctions. I believe that helped lead me toward the business side of agriculture and becoming a CPA. In addition to managing my personal and family s 550 acres, I work with agriculture operations almost daily; this allows me to go back to my roots and assist farmers in an area they need help. Business Address: 301 N. Broad St., Clinton, SC Certified Public Accountant SwaimBrown, PA Registered Investment Advisor SwaimBrown Wealth Management, LLC Manage approximately 550 acres of personal and family property that produces hay, timber and row crops 308 Dirt Farmers, LLC SwaimBrown PA (CPA Firm) Shareholder/Director SwaimBrown Wealth Management, LLC (Independent Investment Firm) President/Owner Laurens County Healthcare System (Non-Profit Hospital) Board Member Laurens County Cancer Association (Non-Profit Service Organization) Founding Board Member/Treasurer None Marion Black Age - 61 Agriculture has always been a way of life for me. I was born and raised on a farm and I continued to be a part of this for 61 years. It has taught me the value of conserving what God has put here for us to use to survive in this world today. It has also given me the opportunity to teach my family that a person can live a good life working on a farm. The freedom of living outside and dealing with nature is something that will always be with me. Business Address: 485 Brushy Fork Rd., Saluda, SC Beef Cattle 2 B Farms (50% Owner) None Spouse, Son ~4~

5 REGION 3 - SEAT 1 - THREE YEAR TERM Jerome G. Parker (Incumbent) Age - 67 I have been directly involved in agriculture for my entire life. While growing up, I worked on my dad s farm in the cultivation of corn, tobacco, peanuts and livestock. Upon my marriage, I became a swine, peanut, soybean, onion and grain farmer. Agriculture has been a vital economic source both in my personal life and in the rural community in which I live. R. Jody Kemp Age - 52 I have spent my entire life in agriculture and have produced most of the products that are grown in Georgia. I see a brighter future for Southeastern farmers as containerized freight expands worldwide allowing small farms to compete with the big food conglomerates all over the world through exporting our products in smaller quantities. Business Address: 622 Bubba Kennedy Rd., Reidsville, GA Past 5 Years Farmer Pecans Self-Employed Jerome Parker Refrigeration, Inc. (Refrigeration Services) Tatnall County Farm Bureau (Insurance) Director, Secretary/Treasurer Vidalia Onion Commission (Onion Support) Advisor AgFirst Farm Credit Bank (Agricultural Lending) Nominating Committee None Business Address: 1077 Mount Moriah Rd., Lyons, GA Farmer corn, cotton, soybeans, pecans, pears, timber and has a high tunnel house operation for growing tomatoes, egg plants and bell peppers Kemp Plantation, LLC CEO (industrial farm and equipment sales and real estate sales and leases) Other Business Interests (Export) Buying and exporting of pecans Kemp Plantation, LLC (Farm) - CEO Son REGION 4 - SEAT 1 - FOUR YEAR TERM Hugh E. Weathers (Incumbent) Age - 59 I consider it to be a privilege to have a life in agriculture. I am proud of the past generations of my family who have made farming their life, and am equally hopeful for the generations to come who want to do the same. The challenges of our agriculture industry are many and to be a part of helping provide solutions by serving on the AgSouth Board of Directors is an honor. Business Address: 334 Cascade Rd., Bowman, SC State of South Carolina, Commissioner of Agriculture (Agricultural Support and Education) Weathers Farms Inc. (Dairy Farm and Farm Property Landlord) Co-Owner Circle W. Farms Inc. (General Row Crop Farming Operation) Partner Weathers Trucking Inc. (Bulk Milk Delivery in SC) Co-Owner WB Bowman LLC (Land Holding) Partner Southern United States Trade Association (Non-Profit Trade Development) Director, Past President SC Dept. of Commerce Coordinating Council (Economic Development) Director SC Poultry Federation (Promote Poultry) Director Southern Association of State Depts. of Agriculture (Promote Agriculture) Director Brother, Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law, Spouse s Uncle Alvin K. Yerich, D.V.M. Age - 60 Agriculture has been a large part of my life. It s not just about growing crops, raising animals or caring for the land; it s a way of life. You have to have a deep love for this way of life, love of the land, animals, family, and respect for other people. If you do, farming will continue to reward you for a lifetime. We must continue to promote agriculture to the younger generation in this way in order to keep farming as a way of life for generations to come. Business Address: 253 Needle Ln., Ridgeville, SC Farmer and Veterinarian Lebanon Christmas Tree Farm (Timber) Owner/Operator LEBCO, LLC (Pine and Hardwood Timber) Managing Partner Branch Hill Stables (Horse Boarding) Owner LEBCO, LLC (Real Estate Holding Company) Managing Partner South Carolina Christmas Tree Association (Timber) Board member None ~5~

6 REGION 4 - SEAT 2 - FOUR YEAR TERM Thomas H. Coward (Incumbent) Age - 72 I am a 2nd generation borrower from Farm Credit. My father credited Farm Credit with the ability to send me to Clemson University where I graduated with honors in 1964.Thank you Farm Credit! I am also a 4th generation farmer in Aiken County, SC. As Aiken evolved from a row crop area to a horse friendly county, we (my wife and I) changed with it. We now board about 40 horses year round. Donald H. Turno Age - 53 My wife and I have owned and operated a horse farm in Aiken, SC for the past 19 years. This experience has increased my knowledge and love of agriculture. It has also taught me the importance of the relationship between farmers, the products they provide and the citizens they serve. Agriculture and its benefits add to the quality of life we all enjoy. Business Address: 3077 Tom Cat Ln., Aiken, SC Farmer - Hopeland Farms (Horse Boarding) Land development sells horse farms (5 ½ to 10 acre lots). AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA (Agricultural Lending) - Director Nephew Business Address: 142 Dalmatian Dr., Aiken, SC Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (Energy) Operation Manager Turnobout Farms (Horse Care and Boarding) Co-Owner Aiken County Firefighters Association (Fire Protection) 1st vice-president (volunteer) Spouse 2016 NOMINATING COMMITTEE POSITIONS The following is a list of nominees selected by the 2015 Nominating Committee for the 2016 Nominating Committee. There are two nominees and two alternates per region. The election region represented, the city of residence and the primary commodity for each nominee are given. Unless floor nominations are made at the first sectional meeting, the following slate will be elected by acclamation. Any and all floor nominations must be made at the first sectional meeting. Region Nominee / Commodity City of Residence Alternate / Commodity City of Residence Region 1 Samuel A. Milford Beef Cattle, Hay Baron R. Buzhardt Timber J. Emmett Collins, Jr. Cattle, Timber, Pecans Thomas G. Vanhuss Poultry L. Anthony Cowart Cattle, Cotton, Peanuts, Corn Mark H. Brown Cotton, Peanuts, Timber Adair M. McKoy, IV Vegetables Row Crops David V. Cantley Row Crops, Cattle, Timber Abbeville, SC Saluda, SC Charles W. Setzler Poultry, Beef Cattle, Timberland Ryan Black Poultry Daryl F. Remick Livestock Mike McDaniel Timber Jack A. Brannen, Jr. Cotton, Peanuts, Beef Cattle Don I. Burke Corn, Cotton, Peanuts, Timber Walter K. Pooser, Jr. Cotton Bates R. Houck Corn, Peanuts, Cotton Newberry, SC Saluda, SC Region 2 Woodbury, GA Smarr, GA Leesburg, GA Woodbury, GA Region 3 Millen, GA Garfield, GA Statesboro, GA Millen, GA Region 4 Wadmalaw Island, SC Holly Hill, SC Cameron, SC Cameron, SC CERTIFICATION The undersigned certify that we have reviewed the 2015 Annual Meeting Information Statement of AgSouth Farm Credit and that the report has been prepared in accordance with all applicable statutory or regulatory requirements, and that the information contained herein is true, accurate, and complete to the best of our knowledge and belief. CHARLES C. RUCKS WILLIAM P. SPIGENER, JR. ALISA D. GUNTER Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer ~6~

7 STATESBORO Directions to First Baptist Church, Statesboro, GA From the North (Sylvania, Cooperville): Take US Hwy 301 South toward Statesboro. Do NOT take the 301 Bypass, but continue straight toward downtown. As US Hwy 301 enters Statesboro, it becomes North Main St. First Baptist Church will be on the left as you enter the downtown area. From the South (Register, Claxton): Take US Hwy 301 North, which becomes Main St as you enter Statesboro. Do NOT take the 301 Bypass. Continue on Main St (US 301 North) into downtown. First Baptist Church will be on the right, three blocks north of the Bulloch County Courthouse square. From the South I-75 South/I-16 East/Hwy 301 North (Atlanta, Macon): Take I-16 East to exit 116 (Statesboro and Georgia Southern University exit). Take a left onto Hwy 301. Do NOT take the 301 Bypass. Continue on Main St (US 301 North) into downtown. First Baptist Church will be on the right, three blocks north of the Bulloch County Courthouse square. From the East (Brooklet, Stilson): Take US Hwy 80 (Northside Dr), driving west toward Statesboro until you reach North Main St (one block beyond the Dairy Queen restaurant) turn left onto North Main St and First Baptist Church will be three blocks on the left. From the West (Portal, Millen): Take US Hwy 80/US Hwy 25 toward downtown Statesboro. Do NOT take the Bypass. At the intersection with US Hwy 301 (Main St), turn right. First Baptist Church will be three blocks on the left. ZEBULON Directions to Life Springs Church, Zebulon, GA Coming from interstate 75 heading North: Take exit #187 Go to the middle of town, follow US HW 41 to Barnesville. Stay on highway 41 until you hit highway 18 W to Zebulon. Stay on Hwy 18 until you see HWY 109, take a left onto HWY 109 and where you see HWY 19 the church will be on your left. Coming from interstate 75 heading South from Atlanta: Take exit 201 to Barnesville. From exit 201, take a right on Hwy 36 towards Barnesville. In approximately 14 miles there will be a veer off to the right to get to the bypass (341). Take the right and the road will dead end. Take a left and drive until you reach HWY 18W in Barnesville and take a right. (next to Ingles). The rest of his instructions are correct. The Church is located at the intersection of HWY 109E and Hwy 19/41. Coming from Griffin: Take US 19/41 S and stay right on US 19 S as it splits away from US 41 at the ingles. Continue on 19 S through Zebulon towards Thomaston you will see 109 on your left and the church is on the corner. Coming from LaGrange/Interstate 85: Take HWY 109 and continue through Greenville and Woodbury, on the east side of Woodbury continue on 109 turn right in Molena to stay on 109 go until you see HWY US 19 take a left onto US 19 N, continue on to 109 on the right the church will be on your right. ~7~

8 I plan to attend the following AgSouth Farm Credit Stockholders Meeting(s): Number Location Date o Attending Orangeburg, SC October 19 o Clinton, SC October 20 o Statesboro, GA October 26 o Zebulon, GA October 27 o NAME (Please Print) ADDRESS Directions to The Cinema (Old Orangeburg Mall), Orangeburg, SC ORANGEBURG From US 301 South from Bamberg: After crossing the Edisto River, at the 2nd traffic light turn left onto Broughton St (US 178). At the 3rd traffic light turn right onto Park St. Immediately bear to your left onto Columbia Rd. At the 2nd traffic light turn right onto Boulevard Ave. The Cinema and the Orangeburg Mall will be on your left facing Boulevard Ave. From the north on US 21: At the 2nd traffic light turn left onto Boulevard Ave. The Cinema and the Orangeburg Mall will be on your left facing Boulevard Ave. From the northwest on US 178: At the 7th traffic light turn right onto Columbia Rd (US 21). At the 1st traffic light turn left onto Boulevard Ave. The Cinema and the Orangeburg Mall will be on your left facing Boulevard Ave. From US 301 from Interstate 26 (Charleston): At the 2nd traffic light turn right onto US 21 /US 178 Bypass. At the 10th traffic light turn left onto Columbia Rd. At the next traffic light turn left onto Boulevard Ave. The Cinema and the Orangeburg Mall will be on your left facing Boulevard Ave. From the South on US 21 or US 178: At the 2nd traffic light turn right to stay on US 21. This will take you by the Orangeburg Fairgrounds. At the 3rd traffic light after you pass the Orangeburg Fairgrounds, turn left onto Russell St. Cross the railroad tracks and immediately turn right onto Boulevard Ave. Stay on Boulevard Ave for several blocks and the Orangeburg Mall and The Cinema will be on your right. CLINTON Directions to Christian Life Center at First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, SC From I-385 & I-26: Travel through town on S. Broad St. Turn left at 5th traffic light onto E. Centennial St. (between Wells Fargo & First Baptist). From Greenwood/Saluda: Travel towards town on S. Broad St., pass Presbyterian College and Thornwell. Turn right onto E. Centennial St. (between Wells Fargo & First Baptist). From Joanna/Newberry: Travel towards town on Hwy. 76 (E. Carolina Ave.), pass First Presbyterian Church, and turn left onto S. Owens St. Access parking to Christian Life Center from either Hampton or E. Centennial St. From Laurens: Travel towards town on Hwy. 76 (W. Carolina Ave.), turn right onto S. Broad St. at Citgo/ McDonalds, and then turn left at 1st traffic light onto E. Centennial St. ~8~