Communication is Key with Your Lender

Isn't communication key, no matter the situation, yet is it always lacking?

Most farmers and ranchers pride themselves on always paying their debts on time. Making late payments is not something most people take lightly. When you are forced to pay late, there is more at stake than your reputation and pride. Those late payments will undoubtedly cost you more in late fees or a higher interest rate. However, no matter what you do, there will be a time that it will happen to you, and with the prices we see, this may be the year.

Here are a few do’s and don’ts if you find yourself short on funds:

DON’T stick your head in the sand and hope it goes away.
DO let your lender know what is going on ahead of time. If there is a way to work with you, most lenders will try to help you find a solution, especially if you’ve always paid on time.

Mama's Sausage Ball Recipe

My husband gifted me a beautiful stand mixer for Mother's Day, but little did I know he had a secret agenda. 'Now you can make your mom's famous sausage balls,' he said. Then, I realized his true intention: giving me a thoughtful gift and fulfilling his desire for these!

Ingredients

1 pound hot pork sausage
8-ounce block of cream cheese softened
2 cups Bisquick baking mix
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese-it is better if you shred your own.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F degrees—line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix 1 pound of hot pork sausage and 8 ounce block of cream cheese, softened (note this can be done in a bowl with a hand mixer or by hand as well.)
Add in 2 cups of Bisquick baking mix and stir until combined.
Then add 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Feel free to be generous with your cheese measurements. Add more if you like more. Stir until combined.
Scoop up the meat mixture form into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. I find this easiest with a spring-loaded cookie scoop. If they don't come out round enough, you can just roll them around in your hand.
Bake for about 25 minutes. Then serve!

Enjoy,

Kallie Chenoweth

Do you have a story or recipe you would like to share?

Send an email to kchenoweth@ffb1.com

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Building Your Farm Plan

You need more than a business plan – you need a farm plan.

Any entrepreneur will tell you that owning your own business can be all-consuming, but when it is a farm, it is built into its DNA. Farms are often owned and operated by families, sometimes across multiple generations. They live on or adjacent to the farm, and it sets the pace of their living because the crops and stock are both their investment and living things that require their attention on a particular set of schedules for them to survive – and thrive. Creating a “whole farm plan” can help you all be on the same page while documenting decisions and details that will keep you moving forward together.

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Come See Us!

We plan on attending the following shows in 2024 and hope to see you there!

July 18-20: Arizona Cattle Growers Association Summer Convention-Phoenix, AZ

September 17-19: Farm Science Review- London, Ohio

October 15-17-Sunbelt Ag Expo-Maultrie, GA

December 12-14: Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium-Sparks, NV