Patronage Program

It pays to partner!

As a cooperative, when our members are successful, we’re successful. We return a significant portion of our annual earnings back to our members in the form of Patronage dividend checks.

$1.2+ billion back

over 21 years

$125 million

paid this year

We put money back into the hands of our members!

Patronage is a direct result of the success of our members, the relationships we’ve built with you, and your trust in GreenStone. Through millions of handshakes, smiles, and conversations around the kitchen table with our hard-working members, this billion is worth more than the dollar amount returned over the past 21 years.

How Patronage is calculated:

Your Patronage payment is based on the net interest income earned on your loan by GreenStone in relation to the overall total Patronage paid each year.

In recent years, members have typically received 0.75% – 1.25% of their average loan balance.

Patronage effectively reduces your interest rate

As an example, if your annual interest rate is 8% on your loan, you could receive a Patronage payment that would effectively reduce your net borrowing costs to approximately 7%.

With an annual interest rate of:

8.0^%

Reduce on average by:

0.75^% to 1.25^%

Your effective borrowing costs equal:

7.0^%

Example estimate only

Celebrate Patronage Day with us!

We look forward to celebrating Patronage Day, and connecting with you, our members, in person at our branch locations. Patronage program details will be sent to eligible members in early 2026.

00Days

00Hours

Knowledge & Resources

Board Member Comments

Read what a few of our board members have said about returning more than $1 billion to our members.

“Returning a billion dollars of Patronage to our members is an impressive milestone. However, to me what’s even more important is the effort put in by every employee and member borrower to do their job well, to operate their business efficiently and to work together as a team so we all can be successful. This is why, as a GreenStone director, I would like to offer a billion, ‘Thank Yous.’”

Dale WagnerDirector, Manitowoc, County, WI

“Owners of the cooperative know what a billion dollars in Patronage returns means to their farms. As a director, I know it’s a direct response to the health of GreenStone. And I’m confident the next twenty years will be even better.”

Dave McConnachieDirector, Sanilac County, MI

“A billion dollars of Patronage. A true sign of how a cooperative was designed to work. The staff at GreenStone is doing their part to help you realize your goals that move from generation to generation.”

Michael FeightDirector, Lenawee County, MI

Patronage Program Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?

What is the variability in payment and related tax information?

How is my Patronage check calculated?

How much could I receive?

GreenStone’s Board of Directors approves the amount of distribution to be returned to members each year. In recent years, members, on average, have received anywhere from 0.75% to 1.25% of their average loan balance in a cash payment. For example, if you are paying an annual percentage rate of 8.0% on your loan, you could receive a Patronage payment that would reduce your net borrowing costs on average to 7.0%. This average could change on an annual basis, based on the ﬁnancial performance of the cooperative and the ﬁnal determination of the Board of Directors as to the distribution amount. Though the intent is for an annual payment, there is always the possibility of no Patronage being paid.

When will I receive my payment?

Patronage payments will be distributed during March, based on earnings from the prior year. On Patronage Day each year, eligible members are welcome to visit their local branch to pick up their check in person. If your Patronage check is not picked up in person on Patronage Day, it will be mailed to you. It’s important for you to realize any cash payment received through the Patronage program is considered taxable earnings and will be reported each year by GreenStone to the IRS. Each January following a year that Patronage payments are distributed, GreenStone will send IRS 1099-PATR forms to members.

“When I first came back to the farm, the Patronage check felt like a nice spring bonus. It was something we could use to pad the checkbook and reinvest where needed. But as the farm grew, and we took on more responsibilities, those checks became even more significant.”

Paul CornetteMember

“The Patronage program helps out. It’s awesome to get a bonus check in March to get caught back up in the winter.”

Gary PedersonMember

We’re here to help.

With locations across Michigan and northeast Wisconsin, we’re here when you’re ready to talk.

Connect with an Expert

Find a Location

Patronage Program

It pays to partner!

We put money back into the hands of our members!

How Patronage is calculated:

Patronage effectively reduces your interest rate

Celebrate Patronage Day with us!

Knowledge & Resources

$1 Billion Back in Patronage

GreenStone Celebrates Over $1 Billion Back to its Members Over 20 Years

What’s a Billion Worth?

What is Patronage?

Board Member Comments

Patronage Program Frequently Asked Questions

We’re here to help.