Issue 2 2019 - Spring

KOHL-laborations The Short and Long-term Views from the Road The elongated downturn in the farm economy is measuring success by production, marketing, finance, and overall business operational skills. In this macro world, how can little changes or increased focus improve your recipe for success?

Short and Long-term Views

Introducing FCI's 2019 Agriculture Scholars High School Seniors Pursuing Ag Careers Selected

Twenty-eight high school seniors were awarded with $2,000 towards their college education. Since the program’s start in 2004, $456,000 of scholarships have been awarded to 357 students planning to study agriculture at a college or university.

Meet the Scholars

Beginning Farmers Start Smart with Financing that Fits Pair FCI FreshRoots with an FSA 50-45-5 Loan

Buying a farm can be challenging – especially as a beginning farmer. Overcome some of the barriers to purchasing your first piece of farm ground with tailored financing programs.

Leverage Beginning Farmer Programs

Community Improvement Grants Awarded Lending Support to Healthy Rural Communities

Fifty 4-H clubs and FFA chapters were awarded $500 grants to make tangible improvements in their local communities. FCI has invested nearly $135,000 in grant funds since the program's start in 2008.

Community Grant Recipients

Wet Weather Have You in a Holding Pattern? Don't Forget These Crop Insurance Details This Spring

The last thing you want to worry about after a major storm is whether your acres will be covered in the event of a loss. Reviewing these spring reminders prior to planting will help you get the most out of your coverage .

Spring Plant Coverage

Price Check Land Sales in the Last 90 Days

The listing includes results for 158 different farmland auctions reported since the last results were published in October 2018. These 158 public auctions concluded with successful bids and represented 14,047 total acres in 34 different counties selling for a grand total of $106 million with an average price of $7,548 per acre. The highest price per acre was $14,200 for Class D land in Cumberland County; the lowest price per acre was $1,855 for Class C land in Lawrence County.

Recent Auction Prices

Cooperative Leadership Opportunities Submit Interest by July 15

Ever considered serving on FCI’s nominating committee or board of directors? Interested stockholders should fill out a candidate interest form to submit their name and information by July 15. Following the deadline, the 2019 nominating committee will review potential candidates to present at the Association’s annual meeting.

Candidate Interest Form

Annual Report Released FCI Remains Financially Strong

Review the Association's initiatives and financial results in the 2018 Annual Report, live on our website and arriving in member mailboxes soon. How FCI is Helping Farm Families Succeed

INTERESTing Times A Dovish Stance - No More Rate Hikes in 2019

By now you’ve heard about the FOMC's decision to leave the federals funds rate unchanged following the March meeting. But what does the announcement indicating no expected rate hikes for 2019 reflect about the Fed’s balance sheet and the U.S. and global economies? Dig Deeper into the Fed's Decision

Raffles & Reaction - JOIN FCI'S Text Club Receive Timely Mobile Alerts

Join the FCI Text Club by April 30 and be entered to win either a rain monitor, bluetooth speaker, or bluetooth headphones. All are welcome to join the Text Club, but you must be a current Farm Credit Illinois member to win. Current Text Club members will be automatically entered into the drawing, bu should still fill out the entry form to select the prize they want if their name is drawn.

ENTER TO WIN (must be a FCI Member)

Congratulations to the winners of the collapsible shovels following Issue 1: Brian Miller of Richland County Edward Monken of Clinton County Emily Cortner of St. Clair County Janet Reed of Christian County Keith Kenney of Edgar County Kevin Duckwiler of Cass County Merle Marcotte of Iroquois County Mike Stacey of Macon County Richard Nelson of Ford County Robert Pike of Williamson County

In Issue 1 of Essentials , readers were asked what percentage of fieldwork they had left to complete in the spring. Here are the results from 128 respondents:

Staff in the Spotlight Welcome Aboard & Milestones

Get to know FCI’s newest team members and join us in giving a special tribute to employees who reached significant milestones in years of service to members and rural communities.

Spotlight Slideshow