2016 Annual Stockholders Meeting

Transcription

1 OFFICIAL NOTICE & ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION STATEMENT 2016 Annual Stockholders Meeting THURSDAY, MAY 26, :00 AM UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INDIAN RIVER RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER 2199 South Rock Road, Room 219 Fort Pierce, Florida May 6, 2016 Dear Stockholder: The Annual Stockholder Business Meeting of Farm Credit of Florida will be held May 26, 2016 at the University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center, located at 2199 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, in Room 219, at 9:00 a.m. Enclosed is the Annual Meeting Information Statement, including relevant information for each director nominee. The purpose of the meeting is to elect directors and nominating committee members, review financial reports and transact any other necessary business. The election will take place by mail balloting following this meeting to all eligible stockholders of record as of February 29, We appreciate your business and support and look forward to continuing to serve you during the coming years. Sincerely, Greg M. Cunningham President/CEO

2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS The current Farm Credit of Florida (Association) Board of Directors is comprised of 13 stockholder-elected directors, 2 appointed stockholder directors, and 3 outside directors (someone who is not a director, officer, employee, agent, or stockholder of any Farm Credit System Institution and who is appointed by the Board). DIRECTOR DISTRICT COMMODITY AGE TERM OF OFFICE EXPIRES YEAR FIRST ELECTED John L. Alger 12 Vegetable and nursery operation Tobin J. Toby Basore 10 Vegetable grower Howard P. Rowdy Bateman 6 Cattle operation; manages citrus operations Roger W. Davis 3 Tobacco, corn, cotton, peanut, timber and cattle operation William E. Eric Hopkins - Appointed Stockholder Director; Sugarcane and vegetable operation * Joseph C. Joyce - Outside Director Louis E. Woody Larson Jr. 8 Dairy and cattle operation Bobby G. Lines 11 Sod and Beef Cattle operation *** Martin J. Marty McKenna 7 Citrus operation Douglas I. Doug Moore 2 Cattle and Timber operation John R. Newbold, III 4 Cut-foliage operation and grapes Harrell H. Phillips, Jr. 5 Cattle operation *** Robert G. Bobby Sexton 8 Citrus operation, packing house, and real estate Lisa Sherman - Appointed Stockholder Director; Citrus operation ** Wayne H. Simmons 9 Citrus operation, timber and real estate Charles R. Thomas 1 Timber farmer and real estate Andrea Thurn - Outside Director E. E. Bucky Waldron - Outside Director Information in table is as of record date. *Previously held a stockholder-elected director position from 2009 to Appointed as an appointed stockholder director in **Previously held an outside director position from 2008 to Appointed as an appointed stockholder director in ***Appointed to fill the position until the next annual meeting. No director attended fewer than 75 percent of the total of board meetings or any committee meetings on which he or she served during the last fiscal year. No director has resigned or declined to stand for reelection since the last annual meeting because of a policy disagreement with the board. The Association has had loans outstanding during the last full fiscal year to date to its elected directors, appointed stockholder directors, director nominees, senior officers, their immediate family members, and organizations with which such persons may be affiliated. These loans have been made in the ordinary course of business, and were made on the same terms, including interest rates, amortization schedule, and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. No loan to a senior officer, elected director, appointed stockholder 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. There has been no material change in the matters disclosed in the annual report to shareholders (posted to our website on March 10, 2016) concerning director or senior officer loans. 2

3 VOTING Each voting stockholder of the Association is entitled to only one vote regardless of the number of single or joint loans the stockholder may have. In the case of a joint loan, the vote may be cast by only one of the joint holders duly authorized by the other joint holder(s) in a writing filed with the Association. (If you have any questions about this matter, you may contact the branch office servicing your account to determine who the voting stockholder on your loan is, or if you desire, to change this designation.) Class A and Class B stockholders and borrowers with rural home or farm-related business loans are not eligible to vote. The record date for determination of those entitled to vote shall be the close of business February 29, The total number of stockholders entitled to vote as of February 29, 2016 was 1,765. The number of holders of Class C Stock entitled to vote in each District is: DISTRICT 1 COUNTIES Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee Counties 2 Baker, Duval and Nassau Counties DISTRICT VOTES DISTRICT COUNTIES DISTRICT VOTES Glades, Hardee and Highlands Counties 121 Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties 3 Alachua, Bradford and Union Counties Collier, Hendry, and Lee Counties 46 4 Clay, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns Counties Palm Beach County (*Western ½ of County) 12 5 Levy and Marion Counties Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties Broward and Palm Beach Counties (*Eastern ½ of Palm Beach) Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties 160 Each eligible voting stockholder may vote for all positions on the ballot. Voting by mail has been authorized by the Board of Directors and ballots will be mailed after the Annual Meeting no later than June 15, Election results will be reported to the stockholders by mail and posted on the Association s website, after results are counted by an independent CPA firm. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes for each position shall be declared elected. If a tie occurs between candidates and the candidates agree, the tie will be broken by the flip of a coin. If the candidates do not agree then the tie shall be broken by re-balloting by mail, counted by an independent CPA firm and results reported to stockholders by mail and on the Association s website, BOARD RECONFIGURATION PLAN In late 2013, the Board of Directors adopted a board reconfiguration plan and related bylaw amendments to adjust the number of elected directors positions and the nomination regions for such positions. The goal of these changes is to ensure that the Board will continue to provide fair and equitable representation to the Association s various customer segments across its chartered territory. Under the reconfiguration plan, following a three-year transition plan to be implemented at the 2014, 2015 and 2016 elections, the Board would be composed of 12 elected directors nominated from 12 separate regions within the Association s chartered territory. The Board also adopted two Bylaw amendments related to appointed director positions. One amendment reduced the number of outside appointed directors from four to three, which took effect following the 2014 annual meeting. The second amendment authorized the Board to appoint up to three voting stockholders to serve as Appointed Stockholder Directors. Such positions are intended to address specific areas where the Board perceives a need for added commodity representation, diversity, expertise or skill sets. By mail ballot following the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, the voting stockholders of the Association will vote for 6 stockholder-elected director seats, 2 of which resulting from the appointment of directors to fill vacancies in those seats until the 2016 annual meeting, and 4 of which resulting from the reconfiguration plan. Commencing with the 2014 Annual Meeting, the number of elected and appointed directors has been and will be adjusted in accordance with the schedule contained in the table below. DISTRICT AS OF JANUARY 1, 2014 FOLLOWING 2014 ANNUAL MEETING FOLLOWING 2015 ANNUAL MEETING FOLLOWING 2016 ANNUAL MEETING Elected Directors Outside Directors Appointed Stockholder Directors Total

4 Effective at the 2014 Annual Meeting, the stockholder elected Board positions were restructured along the 12 Nominating Districts defined in the Bylaws of the Association. Each of the 12 Nominating Districts was initially assigned from one to three director positions (the Initial Positions ). All stockholder-elected directors (with the exception of Director Barber) were assigned to an Initial Position corresponding to the Nominating District in which he or she resides or conducts farming operations. Each of the four Initial Positions not filled by an existing elected director was identified as an open seat. Elections were held for each open seat at the 2014 Annual Meeting. An election was or will be held for each other Initial Position as the incumbent director s term expires in 2014, 2015 or 2016; provided, however, that in the two Districts for which there are two or more Initial Positions, such Initial Positions was or will be closed or combined as shown in the table below so that, following the 2016 Annual Meeting, each Nominating District will have one surviving Initial Position. The terms of office of directors elected at the 2014 and 2015 Annual Meetings are one, two or three years so as to achieve a staggered election cycle whereby no more than four positions are up for election each year. Following the 2016 Annual Meeting, the 12 surviving Initial Positions will become permanent stockholder-elected director positions and all elections will be for three-year terms. In accordance with Association Bylaws, Directors and Nominating Committee members are nominated by the following Districts: DISTRICT GEOGRAPHIC REGION BY COUNTIES DISTRICT GEOGRAPHIC REGION BY COUNTIES DISTRICT 1 Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee Counties DISTRICT 7 Glades, Hardee and Highlands Counties DISTRICT 2 Baker, Duval and Nassau Counties DISTRICT 8 Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties DISTRICT 3 Alachua, Bradford and Union Counties DISTRICT 9 Collier, Hendry, and Lee Counties DISTRICT 4 Clay, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns Counties DISTRICT 10 Palm Beach County (*Western ½ of County) DISTRICT 5 Levy and Marion Counties DISTRICT 11 Broward and Palm Beach Counties (*Eastern ½ of Palm Beach) DISTRICT 6 Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties DISTRICT 12 Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties * Palm Beach County East-West dividing line: Begin at the intersection of the north boundary of Palm Beach County (aka south boundary of Martin County) and the east boundary of Range 39 East, point being about 1/2-mile south of SR-710, or the Beeline Hwy. Continue south along the eastern boundary of Range 39 East to the intersection of the centerline of the L-8 Canal. Continue southeasterly and southerly along the centerline of the L-8 Canal to the intersection of the centerline of SR-80 (aka Southern Blvd or US 98/441), thence travel westerly along the centerline of SR-80 to the intersection with the west boundary of Range 39 East, thence south along said west range line boundary to the south boundary of Palm Beach County, also being the north boundary of Broward County. Nominations will be accepted from the floor and must specify to which position a nomination is made and regional eligibility will be based on geographical residence or the location of the farming operations. Both nominators and nominees must be voting stockholders. After receiving a floor nomination, the floor nominee must state if he or she accepts the nomination. Upon receiving a floor nomination, the annual meeting process will be stopped until eligibility is determined. The nominee s biographical and disclosure information will be immediately reviewed by the Association s President or designee and due diligence performed to determine initial eligibility. If initially determined eligible at the annual meeting, the voting process will proceed. Floor nominees for director positions must be prepared to provide in writing, within five business days of the nomination, the following information: name, age, city and state of residence, business address if any, business experience during the past five years, a list of any business entities on whose board of directors the nominee serves or is otherwise employed in a position of authority and the principal business in which the entity is engaged, and any family relationship of the nominee that has a transaction relationship with the Association. Additionally, floor nominees must provide disclosure of certain legal proceedings during the past five years as required by Farm Credit Administration regulations , 620.6(e) and (f). Any voting stockholder desiring to nominate a candidate for director from the floor at the Annual Meeting shall be responsible for providing in paper or electronic form such nominee s biographical and disclosure information as required by law, regulations and the Bylaws. Disclosure information forms will be available at the Association s corporate office for any potential floor nominee consideration and at the annual meeting. In the event a nominee s biographical and disclosure information is not received in proper form by the Association before the expiration of such one business day period, the nominee shall be removed from the ballot. Floor nominees must be eligible for the position for which they are nominated. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE No individual may be elected or continue as an elected director unless he or she is a holder of Class C Stock of the Association, is in compliance with the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (as amended), is a bona fide farmer, rancher, or producer or harvester of aquatic products, and transacts business in the Association s chartered territory. The Bylaws provide for a nominating committee to review lists of eligible shareholders, ascertain the willingness of the member to serve and submit for election a slate of eligible individuals to run as candidates for the Association director positions. In regard to the 2016 election, the nominating committee reviewed the names and commodity specialties of Association voting shareholders. Subsequent to significant deliberation, direct contact was initiated with a number of selected voting shareholders (including incumbents) to ascertain their interest and willingness to serve as a director. After diligent effort in contacting numerous eligible stockholders, the nominating committee identified the following nominees for Districts 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 11. The nominating committee s efforts to locate two willing nominees for each district included members of the nominating committee reviewing the list of voting stockholders eligible to serve if elected, reviewing the list of previously nominated candidates, and contacting identified qualified voting stockholders to inquire about their willingness to serve if elected. The nominating committee met two times, one of which was a conference call and one of which was a face-to-face meeting. The following list provides the names and biographical information on each nominee nominated by the Nominating Committee.. 4

5 NOMINEES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISTRICT 1 (Three Year Term) u FRED J. GAINOUS Date of Birth: July 6, 1947 Place of Birth: Tallahassee, Florida Age: 68 Residence: th Street, Live Oak, Florida Business Address: P.O. Box 656, Live Oak, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: University Faculty Member (FAMU), Educational Administrator, Hay Farmer. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: Chair of Voices for Florida s Children and Miccosukee Youth Education Foundation. Vice Chair of Lincoln Neighborhood Foundation and Member of the FAMU Advisory Committee on the Sub-Tropical Farm. (FAMU) Located in Brooksville, Florida. Education: Lincoln High School. Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Bachelor s Degree. University of Florida, Master s Degree in Agriculture, Educational Specialist Degree and Doctor of Education. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: Owner/operator of an eighty (80) acre farm. We grow coastal Bermuda grass for hay. We square and round bale hay. Our goal is to use the art and science of agriculture to produce high quality grass to produce the best hay possible. We are also in the process of adding cattle as part of our operation. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: Bachelor s and Master s degrees in agriculture. Former President of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and current Advisory Committee Member for FAMU s Sub-Tropical Farm in Brooksville, Florida. Farmer, Corncob Coastal Bermuda Hay Farm. Owner, New Deal Landscape and Lawn Service. Business or Professional Experience: Medical Malpractice Task Force (appointed by Governor Jeb Bush). Member of the State University system Counsel of Presidents. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Former Director of the Center for Agriculture Policy Research. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): Former Chancellor of the Alabama Department of Post-Secondary Education. Former President of Florida A&M University. Former Coordinator, Occupational Programs of the Florida Department of Education. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse Beverly Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to the nominee and a member of the nominee s family. The family member is his spouse. u CHARLES R. THOMAS Date of Birth: September 20, 1943 Place of Birth: High Springs, Florida Age: 72 Residence: US 129, Live Oak, Florida Business Address: 219 Court Street, Live Oak, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Self-employed; Timber Farmer, Restauranteur, Automobile Dealership Owner, and Real Estate Developer. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: Dixie Grill Restaurant, Dixie Motors LLC, Thomas Farms, Thomas Rental, Chairman of the Suwanee County Tourist Development Council, Block 60 Holdings LLC, Fields of McAlpin LLC, Bragg Branch Crossing Inc., and MCN Partners LLC. Education: Santa Fe High School. Lake City Community College, Associate in Arts Degree. University of Florida, Bachelor of Science Degree in Food and Resource Economics. Florida National Guard, Officer Candidate School. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: Timber operation of 550 acres and 40 acres of hay. Timber acreage is planted pine plantations; managed for pine straw harvest annually, wood products of pulp wood, chip-n-saw, saw timber and wild life management. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: Experienced growing up on a farm with 8 brothers and sisters. Graduated the University of Florida with a degree in Food and Resource Economics. Operated a cattle and hay operation. Developed a 1,000+ timber farm producing straw, timber products and hunting. Worked with the Farm Credit System for 15 years serving as an association President for 9 years. Served as a member of the association Nominating Committee in Served as a Director of Farm Credit of Florida since Business or Professional Experience: Worked with Farm Credit for 15 years until Purchased and operated the Dixie Grill in It is still owned and managed by my wife and son. Began my timber operation in Purchased used car dealership in 2001 and remain involved in it. In addition to managing my farming operation, I am involved in real estate development, commercial and residential rentals. I was active in the Florida Restaurant Association and on its Executive Committee. I served 9 years in the Florida National Guard and attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Member of the Florida Forestry Association, Florida Farm Bureau and Farmers Co-op. Former President and current member of the Suwanee Valley Youth Livestock Show & Sale. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): Current member and former executive committee member of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. Current member and former President of the North Central Florida Restaurant Association. Member of the Florida Independent Auto Dealers Association, Rotary Club Live Oak and First Baptist Church Live Oak. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse Myra, Children Robert and Brandi Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to the nominee and a member of the nominee s family. The family member is his spouse. 5

6 DISTRICT 3 (Three Year Term) u ROGER W. DAVIS Date of Birth: March 29, 1953 Place of Birth: Santa Fe, Florida Age: 63 Home Address: 2405 SE County Road 245, Lake City, Florida Business Address: 2405 SE County Road 245, Lake City, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Farmer/Rancher. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: President of R&H Farms Inc. and managing partner of CWH Land LLC and 848 Land LLC. Education: Santa Fe High School. University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Ag Economics. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: Farming corn, peanuts and hay, as well as livestock operation. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: I grew up on a tobacco and produce farm. After college I started a career in 1975 with the purchase of Lake City Tobacco Warehouse, Inc. I continued to be involved in the sale of tobacco and farming tobacco for 40 years. I also have a livestock operation and grow a variety of crops. Business or Professional Experience: None provided. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Member of the Alachua County Farm Bureau and Member of the IFAS SHARE Council. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): First United Methodist Church in Lake City, Florida and North Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Santa Fe, Florida. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse Julie, Children Heather, Courtney and Blair Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to the nominee and a member of the nominee s family. The family member is his spouse. u JUSTIN D. JONES Date of Birth: November 26, 1975 Place of Birth: Trenton, Florida Age: 40 Home Address: SW 30th Avenue, Newberry, Florida Business Address: SW 30th Avenue, Newberry, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Accountant/Rancher. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: Central Florida Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Electric Distribution Cooperative) Education: Trenton High School. University of Florida, Bachelor Degree in Accounting with a minor in Finance. University of Phoenix, Master s degree in Finance. NRECA Cooperative Financial Professional Certification. Florida Licensed Real Estate Associate. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: Cow/calf operation; hay and grass seed. Current acreage acres. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: Co-owner of J Cross Ranch and Co-owner/partner of Jones Farm. Business or Professional Experience: Worked for fifteen plus years as a Financial Accountant for Central Florida Electric Cooperative and worked for fifteen plus years for Beauchamp & Edwards, CPA. Was born and raised into the ranching/farming lifestyle and continue to actively participate in my family s ranching/farming operations. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): AF&T Council Member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Treasurer of Union Baptist Church and Committee member of the Central Florida Electric Cooperative Education Foundation. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse Christy, Children Jordyn and Jayme Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to the nominee. 6

7 DISTRICT 5 (One Year Term) u WILLIAM W. BENNETT Date of Birth: June 6, 1944 Place of Birth: Jacksonville, Florida Age: 71 Home Address: 8050 NE 173rd Terrace, Williston, FL Business Address: 5850 NE State Road 121, Williston, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Veterinarian. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: William W. Bennet P.A. (A.K.A. Williston Veterinarian Clinic), Owner and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Education: Gainesville High School. University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Auburn University, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: Own and operate cattle and timber farm for the last 35 years. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: I own and operate a 1200 acre farm, most of which was purchased with Farm Credit loans. Farming operations are timber & pine straw production, hunting leases and cow calf herd. Business or Professional Experience: Veterinarian and owner of Williston Veterinarian Clinic for 41 years. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Current member and past President and past Secretary/Treasurer of the Levy County Cattlemen s Association. Member of the Florida Cattlemen s Association. Member of Florida Land Steward. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): Member of the Florida Veterinary Medicine Association. Member of the Alachua County Veterinary Medical Association. Spouse and/or Children: Child Jana Bennett Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to the nominee. u HARRELL H. PHILLIPS, JR. Date of Birth: February 4, 1960 Place of Birth: Gainesville, Florida Age: 56 Home Address: SE 10th St., Morriston, Florida Business Address: SE 10th St., Morriston, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Rancher/Veterinarian. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: Owner/Stockholder of The Creek at Wekiva, LLC. Owner of DBA Phillips Ranch. Education: Williston High School. University of Florida, Bachelor in Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: Phillips Ranch has in excess of 1200 breeding age beef cattle and background approximately 1500 calves annually. We have a very progressive ranching operation which utilizes individual identification systems to evaluate performance. For the past 20 years we have been retaining ownership of our calves, evaluating them from ranch to harvest. In addition to beef cattle, we produce hay, sod, grass seed, small grains and timber. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: 2000 Farm Credit and Florida Cattleman s Association Outstanding Rancher Herder Award. Outstanding Cattleman Award from Alachua Lions Club. Honorary Chapter Farmer for multiple FFA Chapters. Grand and Reserve producer of Florida Carcass Award by FCA. Producer Grand and Reserve Champion steers, carcasses and premier steer by the Florida State Fair. Producer Grand and Reserve Champion steers and carcasses at various county fairs. Business or Professional Experience: After a year and a half as an associate with Dr. Robert J. Bloomer, I became a partner in Bloomer and Phillips equine practice where we limited our practice to horses and beef cattle for the next ten years. The next two and a half years I practiced as a sole practitioner in the area of beef cattle health and broodmare reproduction. For the past 14 years, I have been retired from public practice, providing beef cattle veterinary consultation while ranching full time. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Current member and former President, Director and Officer of Florida Cattleman s Association. Current member of the National Cattleman s Beef Association and currently a committee member of their Antimicrobial Resistance Advisory Group. Former Director and Region II Policy Vice President of the National Cattleman s Beef Association. Member of the Florida Farm Bureau and Florida Beef Council. Current member/director and former President of the Marion County Cattleman s Association. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): Founding member of the Mission Family, Williston, Florida. 40 year member and Deacon of First Baptist Church, Williston, Florida. Member of the Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Former Chairman of the Steer Show and current Board Member of the Southeastern Youth Fair. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse - Debbie, Children Harrell and Charles Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to the nominee and a member of the nominee s family. The family member is his spouse. 7

8 DISTRICT 6 (Three Year Term) u HOWARD P. ROWDY BATEMAN Date of Birth: July 17, 1947 Place of Birth: Sebring, Florida Age: 68 Home Address: 6384 SE County Road 760, Arcadia, Florida Business Address: 6384 SE County Road 760, Arcadia, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Cattle Rancher Citrus Grower. Ranch Manager for Bright Hour Ranch , Retired. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: Partner/Manager of Bateman Family Partnership. Education: Georgia Military Academy. University of Florida, Political Science. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: Personal cattle operation on 73 acres of improved pasture in Desoto County, Florida. Brangus heard on a cow/calf basis. In addition, we have a 5 acres citrus family endeavor. I am also a general partner and manager of our family partnership cattle operation on 300 acres of family property in Desoto County, Florida. This is a cow/calf operation consisting of some 80 head of Brangus cattle. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: Successfully managed a multi-million dollar per year ag operation for 30 years at Bright Hour Ranch. Member of Peace River Citrus Growers Association Past Director and Chairman. Member of Florida Cattleman s Association served on Foundation Board. On the Farm Credit of Florida Board, having served on Compensation, Governance DAC Committee and the AgFirst Nominating and Compliance Committees. Business or Professional Experience: As a youth, I was raised and worked on our family cattle ranch, Parker Brothers Ranch in Arcadia, Florida. After graduation from college in 1970 and serving in the U.S. Army, I was employed as a loan officer with the Federal Land Bank of Southwest Florida for 12 years and was promoted to Branch Manager. I then worked at Sun Trust Bank Desoto for 5 years as their Loan Officer. In 1986 I returned to the family ranch now knows as Bright Hour Ranch as Ranch Manager where I worked for 30 years until I retired in Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Member of Florida Farm Bureau, Florida Cattlemen s Association and Peace River Valley Citrus Growers. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): Current member and former Chairman of the Foundation Board of Desoto Memorial Hospital. Member of Pine Level Methodist Church. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse Constance, Children Cason and Austin Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to the nominee and a member of the nominee s family. The family member is his spouse. u LESLIE L. LES REISELT Date of Birth: September 13, 1949 Place of Birth: Columbus, Ohio Age: 66 Home Address: 2250 SE Hansel Avenue, Arcadia, Florida Business Address: 2250 SE Hansel Avenue, Arcadia, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Real Estate Investments and Farmer. Retired Police Detective for the City of Grandview Heights, Ohio. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: Self-employed owner at Lochan-Ora Land and Cattle Company. Education: Jonathan Alder High School. Ohio State University, Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science, Masters of Science in Agricultural Engineering & Reproductive Endocrinology. Columbus Police Academy, Police Certification. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: Total of 40 acres; 27 acres in orange grove (all Valencia) and the balance in farmstead and pasture. Currently establishing a herd of cattle containing three breeds, Registered Ayrshires, Registered Mini Zebu, and Registered Florida Cracker. At present I plan on converting some of my grove to pasture and hay. I am currently in the process of buying a purebred oriented dairy farm in central Ohio and have a farm manager in place. That farm consists of 22 purchased acres and an additional 400 rented. We have begun buying cattle for that farm including being the top buyer at both the Ohio and Wisconsin Spring Ayrshire sales. Included in our purchases are a pair of ET daughters from the total performance winner at the 2015 World Dairy Expo, a calf from a two time All American cow and a bull whose dam has produced three All American winners and who was the 2015 Wisconsin cow of the year. We have also just acquired embryos for use in transplanting from the only three time grand champion at World Dairy Expo. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: Developed a class leading herd of Registered Ayrshires in Ohio. Our herd had numerous show champions and All Americans as well as being the top producing Ayrshire herd in Ohio. I was state president of the Ohio Ayrshire Association, National Director of The Ayrshire Breeder s Association, and Founding Director of the Ohio Dairy Farmer s Federation. I was a member of the advisory boards for both The Ohio State Fair and North American Dairy Show. I retired from farming in Ohio, but resumed farming in Arcadia, Florida in Business or Professional Experience: Showed cattle at numerous shows in North America, including National Show Grand Champion for 4 consecutive years. Former high producing Ayrshire herd in Ohio. Wrote articles for the Ohio Farmer on warm naturally ventilated barns. Former member of Central Ohio Investigative Network. I was a crash scene reconstructor and founding member of Sexual Assault Network of Central Ohio and was formerly church treasurer and Vice Moderator. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Formerly involved with the Central Ohio Ayrshire Association, Ohio Ayrshire Association, US Ayrshire Breeder s Association, Farm Bureau of Ohio, Milk Marketing Inc., F.F.A., Young Farmers, 4H and a Dairy Cattle Judge. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): Former member of New California Presbyterian Church, Delaware Presbyterian Church and North Port U.C.C. Church. Current member of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church. Spouse and/or Children: Children Erich and Kurt. My wife is deceased due to cancer and her illness prompted our early retirements in Ohio and move to Florida in Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to this nominee. 8

9 DISTRICT 8 (Three Year Term) u JOHN S. LONG Date of Birth: April 15, 1966 Place of Birth: Nassawadox, Virginia Age: 49 Home Address: P.O. Box 938, Palm City, Florida Business Address: P.O. Box 2350, Palm City, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Vegetable Farmer. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: President of Agri-Gators Inc. and Long Land Co. Inc. Managing member of Plantation Creek, LLC. Education: Broadwater Academy. Virginia Polytechnic Institute/Virginia Tech, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: acres of potatoes grower, packer, shipper. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: Farm growth from 60 acres to 2000 acres between 1994 and Business or Professional Experience: Nominated for Sun Belt Expo Florida Farmer of the year in April Selected state winner for the Sun Belt Florida Farmer of the Year in August Pickling cucumber grower for 10 years on 500+ acres. Sweet corn grower for 20 years on 600+ acres. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Director of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and Farm Bureau of Martin County. Former County Committee Member of the Farm Service Agency. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): Board of Finance Director for First United Methodist Church. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse Janet, Children Stephanie, Rebekah, Anna and James Farm Credit of Florida has a loan outstanding to the nominee and a member of the nominee s family. The family member is his spouse. u ROBERT G. BOBBY SEXTON Date of Birth: November 10, 1959 Place of Birth: Vero Beach, Florida Age: 56 Home Address: 1071 Indian Mound Trail, Vero Beach, Florida Business Address: P.O. Box 1208, Vero Beach, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Citrus Grower. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: Sexton Inc., Sexton Properties, Oslo Packing Co., AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, Indian River Citrus League, Florida Citrus Packers Scholarship Foundation. Education: Vero Beach High School. University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: I grow citrus with my wife and I am a partner with my brother and sister on about 240 acres of land that we pasture cattle on. Citrus greening is my main concern and is forcing us to consider alternative crops to grow. I pack and sell citrus for gift fruit domestic and export markets. Our juice company processes and sells juice for domestic and export markets. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: 20 years of service on the Board of Directors at local association. 16 years of service on the AgFirst Farm Credit Bank Board. I am a past Chairman of the AgFirst Board and current Chairman of the Farm Credit of Florida Board. I am a 4th generation citrus grower. I started Orchard Island Juice Company with my wife. Served on industry associations and I operate a fresh fruit packing house. Business or Professional Experience: I have served in positions of leadership in most of the organizations I belong to. I care about agriculture and hope I can contribute to the betterment of all farmers. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Outside Director of McArthur Farms. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): None listed. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse Mary Grace, Children Natalie and Lucy Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to a member of the nominee s family and an organization with which he is affiliated. The family member is his spouse. 9

10 DISTRICT 11 (Two Year Term) u PATRICK J. FORD Date of Birth: May 25, 1956 Place of Birth: Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania Age: 59 Home Address: th Court South, Boynton Beach, Florida Business Address: th Court South, Boynton Beach, Florida Business Experience during Last Five Years: Nursery Owner. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: None listed. Education: Hollidaysburg High School. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Science in Biology. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: 50 acres of nursery crops. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: Past Palm Beach Wholesale Growers President FNGLA Outstanding President Award. Served for 8 years on the FNGLA State Board. Served for 10 years as either a director or officer of the local FNGLA chapter. Business or Professional Experience: Rainbow Farm as a grower and manager from 1980 to Flora-Trop as a grower and manager from 1990 to Owner of Pat Ford s Nursery from 1996 to Present. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: Director & President of Palm Beach Wholesale Growers, Current Member and past Director of FNGLA State Organization and Current Member and past Director and President of FNGLA Local chapter. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): None provided. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse Allyson, Children Susan and Kevin Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to a member of the nominee s family and organizations with which he is affiliated. The family member is his spouse. u BOBBY G. LINES Date of Birth: December 15, 1957 Place of Birth: Logansport, Indiana Age: 58 Home Address: SW Fox Brown Road, Indiantown, Florida Business Address: SR 7, Boynton Beach, Florida Business Experience During Last Five Years: Grassing/Sod Contractor and Cattle Operation. Business on Whose Boards Nominee Serves or is Employed in Position of Authority & Nature of Business: American Quarter Horse Association and Florida Quarter Horse Association (Quarter Horse Industry). Education: Coconut Creek High School. Central Florida Community College, Soil Science. Extent of Present Agricultural Operations: I oversee a commercial cow calf operation consisting of 400 head of cows and roping cattle operation of 280 head of cows. I own approximately 826 acres of land in Martin County. Accomplishments Relative to Agriculture and the Farm Credit System: I have been in business for 37 years providing seeding, mulch, and sodding type services to the Florida Department of Transportation and the Army Corps of Engineers. With the help of Farm Credit I purchased 826 acres in Martin County in This land provides a place for our cattle operation and growing Bahia sod for our main business. Business or Professional Experience: I manage our main business which is, Agricultural Land Services, Inc. We provide sod, seed, and mulch services to the Florida Department of Transportation, Army Corps of Engineers, and state and local governments. I oversee quoting projects, contact management, and general management including purchasing of sod, seed, fertilizer & equipment for the company. I also oversee cattle and forage production under our cattle operation. Affiliations with Any Farm Organizations: None provided. Affiliations with Any Organizations (e.g., business, professional, civic, church groups): Member of the St. Peter s United Methodist Church, Adviser on the Florida Turnpike Authority Committee, Advisor on the Palm Beach Horse Council. Spouse and/or Children: Spouse Rachel, Children Sandra and Bobby Farm Credit of Florida has loans outstanding to members of the nominee s family and organizations with which he is affiliated. The family members are his spouse and son. 10

11 NOMINATING COMMITTEE ELECTION Nominees for the 2017 Nominating Committee will be presented for election for a one year term. Nominations may also be made from the floor. Voting will be held by mail ballot following the meeting. The Nominating Committee consists of the nominees receiving the most votes per region with the individuals receiving the next higher number of votes per region serving as alternates for the respective region. The member and alternate must reside or conduct farming operations in the Nominating District corresponding to the seat. Voting Stockholders who neither reside nor conduct farming operations in the Association s chartered territory may serve as a member of the nominating committee and shall be treated as residing in the Nominating District encompassing the branch office that services their loans. Please vote for one (1) individual from each District. NAME COUNTY CITY District 1 Adrian Iran Land Suwannee Branford Herbert C. Thomas Columbia Lake City District 2 Sydney R. Reid Purvis, Jr. Nassau Callahan William B. Billy Purvis Nassau Callahan District 3 Craig D. Mikell Alachua High Springs Bryan J. Olmert Alachua High Springs District 4 Ernest A. Cremer Putnam Palatka Kelley R. Smith, Jr. Putnam Bostwick District 5 Skipper Henderson Levy Chiefland Damon W. Sandlin Levy Williston District 6 Charles W. Harrison, Jr. DeSoto Arcadia H. D. Dan Ryals DeSoto Ft. Ogden District 7 J. Ned Hancock Highlands Sebring Charles R. Stevens, Jr. Hardee Zolfo Springs District 8 John M. Larson Okeechobee Okeechobee Jim G. Russakis St. Lucie Ft. Pierce District 9 Bryan R. Hilliard Hendry Clewiston Joshua D. Kellam Hendry Clewiston District 10 Roy S. Stewart Stein Palm Beach Belle Glade Keith Wedgworth Palm Beach Belle Glade District 11 Stephen W. Bedner Palm Beach Lake Worth John I. Whitworth, III Palm Beach Boynton Beach District 12 Marc J. Ellenby Miami-Dade Homestead John C. Torrese Miami-Dade White Springs 11

12 MAILING DATE AND ONLINE AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION STATEMENT The 2016 Annual Meeting Information Statement was mailed to all shareholders on May 6, 2016, and was published on the Association s website, simultaneous with its mailing. It will be available on the Association s website for at least thirty days. Copies of the 2016 Annual Meeting Information Statement are also available for inspection at Farm Credit of Florida, ACA, Southern Blvd., Suite 200, West Palm Beach, Florida 33411, or any of the Farm Credit of Florida office locations. ANNUAL REPORTS TO MEMBERSHIP Each shareholder has been provided with a copy of the annual report for Farm Credit of Florida, ACA, as of December 31, Included in the annual report is the Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants discussing PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP s audit and opinion on the consolidated financial statements contained therein. CERTIFICATION The undersigned certify that we have reviewed the 2016 Annual Meeting Information Statement of Farm Credit of Florida 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. Signed: Robert G. Bobby Sexton Chairman, Board of Directors Greg M. Cunningham President / Chief Executive Officer Laura Craker Chief Financial Officer 12