Issue 5 2019 - Fall

Johnson Named Interim President FCI Board Establishes CEO Selection Process F ollowing the unexpected passing of president & CEO Tom Tracy last month, the Association's leadership succession plan was activated and Aaron Johnson was named interim CEO by the FCI Board of Directors. On Oct. 10, the Board held a special meeting to finalize a selection process for naming FCI's next permanent CEO. "As challenging as the loss of Tom has been for this organization, the Board is absolutely confident in the steady and competent leadership of Aaron and the senior management team at this critical time," states Eric Mosbey, FCI Board chair. "The Board commits to exercising due diligence over the coming weeks to name a permanent CEO." "Thank you to so many extended members of the FCI family for the comfort and support expressed to the Association over the past few weeks," says Aaron Johnson. " It's genuinely humbling to continue building on Tom's impactful legacy at FCI as your interim CEO. We have an extraordinary team in place dedicated to Helping Farm Families Succeed - just as our members have come to expect." With more than 32 years of Farm Credit career experience, Johnson served as FCI's executive vice president since Jan. 1, 2015.

Farm Credit College Programs This Winter Registration Opens to Members November 1 Attend one or more learning workshops hosted by FCI in the coming months featuring topics from getting a healthy start in your farming career to estate planning.

Mark Your Calendars

Weather Outlook Update Wet Weather Possible For Fall and Winter After a challenging start to the 2019 growing season, September precipitation patterns split the state with repeated heavy rainfall in northern Illinois, while south of I-72 saw less than half of normal rainfall. Temperatures were above average allowing for the crucial accumulation of growing day units late in the season before the first frost. Cold weather is coming behind a powerful winter storm on Oct. 10-13 that will likely bring frost to the northern parts of Illinois, but the biggest challenge through October might be frequent rainfall.   Keep a close eye on the Pacific Ocean this fall as a “Modoki” EL Niño sets up with cool water off South America, but warm water in the central Pacific. This, combined with a warm north Pacific Ocean and the strongest positive Indian Ocean Dipole in recent years will likely produce a strong subtropical jet stream. If these features dominate the flow of the atmosphere, expect a very active and potentially wet start to winter for Illinois farms in November and December.

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Make the Move with Rural 1 st ® Farm Credit Launches New Lending for Country Living

Whatever rural life you envision, FCI now has the competitive financing to make it happen with the newly launched Rural 1 st lending for country living. Adding to the ways FCI contributes to healthy rural communities, Rural 1 st offers specialized financing to help you make the move to the country. Whether you’re looking for lot and recreation land, home building or renovation, or outbuilding construction, the streamlined Rural 1 st systems and skilled team members make the loan process simple and stress free. Make Your Country Living Dream a Reality

S.T.A.R. Program Taking Off on Illinois Farms Free Evaluation Tool Keeps Conservation Top of Mind

Illinois farmers are working to make our economy stronger and environment safer through the S.T.A.R. program, Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources. Created by the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2017, S.T.A.R. helps educate farmers about the benefits of environmentally conscious practices. Farmers participating complete a field form and receive a score on a 5-star scale, which is then reflected on a S.T.A.R. field sign - sponsored this year by FCI. In 2018, 180 farmer-participants submitted forms for 438 fields for a total of 27,418 acres. Of those fields, more than 87% received 3 stars or higher on the 5-star scale.

Learn More and Enroll Your Field

On the Block Upcoming Farmland Auctions

Farm Credit Illinois maintains a list of upcoming farmland auctions submitted within the Association’s 60-county marketplace.

View Listings or Submit an Upcoming Farmland Auction

Deadlines Approaching for Crop Insurance Policies Contact Your Agent Today with Questions

OCTOBER 1-31 Price Discovery – establishing period for the harvest price of corn and soybeans. OCTOBER 20 OR 30 Wheat Final Plant Date - last date to plant unless insured for late planting; contact FCI agent for county-specific dates. NOVEMBER 14 Wheat Production Reporting Date - signed reports required for production reporting due for all 2019 planted wheat. NOVEMBER 15 Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Sales Closing Date - last date to purchase, change coverage level or cancel coverage. NOVEMBER 30 Extended Premium Due Date - last date to pay spring 2019 crop year insurance premiums without interest. DECEMBER 6 2019 Market Facilitation Payment Sign-up Closing Date - last date to turn in acres of MFP-eligible crops to your local FSA office. DECEMBER 10 Spring Crop End of Insurance Coverage - last day crops in the field are covered by insurance; if crops remain, request an extension or appraisal. DECEMBER 15 2019 Wheat Acreage Reporting Date - last date to report 2020 wheat acreage planted, otherwise insurance does not go into effect.

2020 Focus on Farming Calendar Selections Made 389 Photos Entered

Thanks to everyone who entered this year’s contest. We were thrilled to see the beauty and life captured this year. Keep snapping photos showing agriculture and rural life at its best throughout the seasons and submit them next year.

View the Winning Entries

Nominate an Outstanding Ag Educator Today Golden Owl Award Winners Receive $3,000

Help us honor Illinois ag educators for their tremendous contributions, which help the next generation of agricultural leaders. The Golden Owl Award winner and Illinois Ag Educator of the Year will receive $3,000 and five additional honorees will win $500. Submit nominations July 1-Nov. 16, 2019.

Nominate an Ag Educator Today

Farm Credit Learn & Grow Pavilion Opens at Fowler Farm On-farm, Outdoor Classroom Experience for Students

Fowler Farm brings Champaign-Urbana students to a working farm to learn about growing food and caring for animals. The Farm Credit Learn & Grow Pavilion was recently dedicated to provide a space for learning protected from weather elements.

Raffles & Reactions Enter to Win One of Ten Bluetooth Headsets - Drawing held Oct. 25

Here's a chance to win an "essential" to keep you connected during the harvest season. The slim, durable set has retractable headphones and advanced speaker technology for clear, hands-free conversations.

Enter to win

Congratulations to the winners of the grill kits following Issue 4: Bob Edwards of Sangamon County Dan Anderson of Iroquois County David Scrivner of Jefferson County Kaylee Hilmes of Bond County Kelly Higgins of Macon County Kraig Soltwedel of Effingham County Mike Bennett of Piatt County Robert Dahler of Montgomery County Teresa Wilson of Randolph County Tim Pribble of Williamson County In Issue 4 of Essentials , readers were asked to predict when their harvest would begin. Here are the overall and regional results from 89 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