As winter continues to gear up, snowmobiling across the icy trails of Michigan and Wisconsin is increasingly popular.  

Winter is filled with snow, chilly temperatures, and fun memories outside. Snowmobile riding is a big piece of the winter fun for many, and here are a few tips to make sure all the fun stays safe!  

Riding Tips  

Whether you’re on the trail, road, or hilly terrain, it’s important to understand how to maintain control of your snowmobile throughout your trip. Understanding your path of travel is crucial as it can be hard to steer or stop a sled that is sliding. Keeping a clear path and planning your route will help you ensure safety and keep you heading in the right direction! Shifting your weight from one side to another can help you maintain balance, especially during turns. Slowing down and shifting your weight to the inside of the turn will help you accelerate after and maintain control.  

Wearing the Right Gear  

All it takes is one wet layer to put a damper on the adventure. Making sure you have the proper underlayers, like thick socks and long sleeves can go a long way. Merino wool is known to be a good material for underlayers because the wool is capable of wicking away moisture from the body, unlike cotton which causes moisture to stick around. Waterproof gear is key, having the proper coat and boots to keep yourself insulated and dry on top of these underlayers is important. No matter what gear you have or don’t have, the most important piece of a snowmobile is the helmet. Ensuring you have a full-face snowmobile helmet will be the key to safety. A snowmobile helmet has a dual pane system to protect faces from frostbite and prevent fog. This will keep you safe and comfortable for your ride!  

Adapt to Changing Conditions 

Depending on the weather, the snow can easily change from hard-packed to deep powder throughout the day. Prepare by monitoring the snow conditions to adjust your route to fit. Driving in deep powder can be challenging when going uphill consistently, preparing for that challenge or adjusting to a more flat route during these conditions may be ideal. Hard-packed snow allows you to easily gain speed and momentum, but it is also much harder to come to a stop. Maintaining control on hard-packed snow may be considerably more difficult, so adjusting your route to take less turns may be beneficial.  

Using tips like these can help keep your winter memories fun and exciting each time you head out to enjoy the season!  

To view the winter 2025 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.

 Indulge in this classic treat with a Sharp family twist for the most delicious, ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever had! Pair with a chilled glass of milk for the perfect cold winter night’s snack.

Total Time: 25 minutes 

Serves: 9-12 

Ingredients

• 8 Tbsp salted butter 
• ½ cup white sugar 
• ¼ cup light brown sugar 
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 1 egg 
• 1 ½ cups flour 
• ½ tsp baking soda 
• ¼ tsp salt 
• ¾ cup chocolate chips 

Directions 

1. Pre-Heat oven to 350° 

2. Melt butter  

3. Beat butter with both sugars  

4. Add vanilla and egg; beat on low for 10-15 seconds (not too long, beating the egg too long will make a stiff cookie) 

5. Add flour, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips 

6. Mix until crumbles form

7. Use hands to form dough into ball 

8. Roll into 9- 12 small balls  

9. Bake for 9-11 mins (any longer will make them tough) Enjoy! 

To view the winter 2025 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.

For Boyd and the Endsley family, ECO is more than just an insurance option—it’s a way to ensure the resilience and success of their farm for generations to come.

Navigating Risk in Modern Farming

As any farmer knows, managing risk is an essential part of running a successful operation. For Boyd Endsley, a livestock farmer in Barry County, Michigan, balancing risk and reward has been a constant focus in his family’s multigenerational farming business. When it came to mitigating price volatility in 2023, Boyd turned to GreenStone and an Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) as a part of his crop insurance policy to help secure his farm’s financial stability.

“In 2023, we decided to add ECO coverage because we saw a lot of potential for crop prices to drop, which could trigger an ECO payment,” Boyd shared. “We wanted to manage that risk, and it ended up being a good decision for us.”

How ECO Provides Protection

ECO, an additional layer of crop insurance, provides coverage from 86% up to 95% of a county’s expected yield or revenue. Unlike traditional crop insurance policies, ECO is designed to protect against county-wide yield and revenue losses. With the subsidies for ECO increasing from 44% to 65% in 2025, this highly affordable option gained popularity among farmers who were looking to navigate an unpredictable agricultural market.

For the Endsleys’, 2023 demonstrated the value of ECO firsthand. While Barry County’s average yield for corn exceeded expectations at 166.1 bushels per acre—above the projected yield of 161.8—a significant drop in the harvest price, from $5.91 to $4.68 per bushel, triggered an ECO payment. This additional income proved invaluable in a year when commodity prices were down.

“In a year when our income was lower because of declining prices, the ECO payment provided critical support,” Boyd explained.

Trusted Guidance and Strategic Decisions

Boyd’s decision to adopt ECO came with the guidance of Kristen King, his crop insurance specialist at GreenStone. Kristen has worked closely with the Endsley family for more than a decade, helping them navigate the complexities of crop insurance and other financial tools to support their operation and mitigate risk.

“Kristen is incredibly knowledgeable and always on top of her game,” Boyd said. “She knows the products inside and out and can explain how they work in different scenarios. She’s great at making sure I have everything turned in on time and keeps me informed about all my options.”

For Kristen, Boyd’s approach to ECO exemplifies strategic risk management. “Boyd is an intelligent guy who really pays attention to the numbers,” she said. “He’s not someone who’s going to take ECO every year—he evaluates the market and decides based on the potential for price declines. That’s where ECO really shines. It’s highly subsidized and provides great coverage in years when there’s significant price risk.”

Balancing Coverage Across Crops

In 2024, Boyd opted to continue using ECO for his soybean crop, anticipating further price declines in that market, while choosing not to apply it to his corn, which he believed had less downside risk.

“Soybean prices looked like they might continue to decline, so we decided to keep ECO on that crop,” he said. “Corn, on the other hand, didn’t have as much room to drop, so it didn’t make as much sense to use ECO there this year.”

A Legacy of Resilience

The Endsley family’s farm is a true legacy operation, with Boyd working alongside his parents, Patricia and Gordon, to grow corn, soybeans and wheat, as well as manage a cattle herd that has been part of the farm since 1955. Boyd’s commitment to thoughtful risk management and strong partnerships has helped him carry on that legacy while adapting to the challenges of the modern agricultural climate.

The Future of ECO and Risk Management

Looking ahead, both Boyd and Kristen see ECO as a valuable tool for farmers who want to protect their operations against market uncertainty. “With the increased subsidies in 2025, ECO was even more affordable and attractive to farmers who anticipated price volatility,” Kristen said. “It’s a flexible option that can really make a difference in the right conditions.”

Boyd agrees. “For us, ECO provided stability in a year when we needed it,” he said. “We took ECO again in 2025, and will continue to see if it is an affordable long-term option to insure against the top 10% of our risk”

As GreenStone continues to offer ECO as part of its comprehensive risk management offerings, Boyd’s story highlights how strategic decisions and trusted partnerships can help farmers weather the ups and downs of the agricultural industry. For Boyd and the Endsley family, ECO is more than just an insurance option—it’s a way to ensure the resilience and success of their farm for generations to come.

To view the winter 2025 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.

Wisconsin businesses –
You can take comfort knowing this change is for Michigan businesses only.

Starting on February 21, 2025, every Michigan employer, regardless of size, must provide their employees with up to 72 hours of sick leave annually under Michigan’s new Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) – this includes agriculture employers and employees! On November 12, 2024, several agricultural organizations, including GreenStone Farm Credit Services, wrote to the Michigan legislature with their concerns related to the ESTA’s impact to the state’s agriculture industry. The letter can be found here. Michigan employers have been administering a paid leave law for the last five years under the Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act (PMLA) – many were not impacted by this law because it only applied to employers with 50+ employees. However, on July 31, 2024 the Michigan Supreme Court reinstated a voter initiative known as the ESTA which drastically changes the landscape for Michigan employers to provide sick time to employees. The ESTA is the original version of a law adopted by the Michigan legislature that was immediately amended to create the PMLA, a more limited sick leave program applicable to many Michigan employers since 2019. By court order, the ESTA will take effect on February 21, 2025, replacing the PMLA and covering all Michigan employers.

This article provides a summary of the changes under ESTA, highlights answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and outlines some items you should do now to ensure compliance when ESTA takes effect on February 21, 2025. Most of this information presented is taken from the State of Michigan’s Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) website on the ESTA. The website has many resources you should familiarize yourself with – including a link to the act, FAQs, posting requirements, brochures, etc. The website can be found here.

Who Is Covered Under the ESTA?

All Michigan employers, except the U.S. government, must adjust or implement policies to comply with ESTA requirements. ESTA applies, regardless of industry, to employers that employ one or more employees in Michigan – employers are split into “Small Business” and “All Other Employers” as defined by the LEO.

All employees are eligible, regardless of classification to receive earned sick time.

What is the accrual rate for earned sick time?

Beginning February 21, 2025, or upon the employee’s start date, whichever is later, employees will accrue 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. Employers may require new employees to wait 90 days after hire to use accrued sick time, but the accrual begins immediately upon hire.

How much earned sick time are employees entitled to?

Small businesses must provide up to 40 hours of paid earned sick time, with an additional 32 hours unpaid. All other employees must provide up to 72 hours of paid earned sick time per year. You should review the LEO website to determine if you are a small business or not.

Does earned sick time carry over?

Yes. All accrued and unused sick time must carry over to the following year. ESTA does not impose a cap on accrual or carryover.

Can employers frontload the earned sick time?

Yes. Employers may frontload the full year’s worth of sick time at the beginning of the benefit year. However, the frontloading method implemented must comply with the ESTA’s accrual, usage, carryover, and other provisions.

Does unused earned sick time have to be paid out at the end of a calendar year or employee termination?

No. ESTA does not require employers to payout unused time. Employers should check and confirm their written policies align with their desired practices concerning payout, as separate written agreements or policies may require employers to pay these amounts out.

As Agricultural Employers – What Should We Do Now?

Although the ESTA is not scheduled to go into effect until February 21, 2025, Michigan agriculture employers can mitigate their risk by taking steps now to make sure they are in compliance with the ESTA come the effective date. At a minimum, the following actions are recommended:

• Become familiar with the ESTA information on Michigan’s LEO website. Additionally, watch for new ESTA guidance and regulations on Michigan’s LEO website.

• Review and revise vacation, sick and other leave-related policies, including onboarding notices, timekeeping, and payroll mechanisms, to comply with the ESTA’s requirements.

• Ensure human resources personnel understand the rights and protections afforded to employees under the ESTA, including administration of all vacation, sick and other leave-related policies, notice and posting requirements, and recordkeeping obligations.

• Train all supervisor employees to avoid retaliating against an employee because the employee has exercised a right protected under the ESTA.

• Obtain and timely display copies of the required ESTA posters.

To view the winter 2025 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.

As we kick off the new year, it’s important to refresh ourselves on the cybersecurity topics we’ve explored over the last year – topics we hope provide you with practical, actionable advice to keep your family, finances, and operations safe. Cybersecurity can often feel intimidating or overly technical, which is why we provide these tech tips and work to break these subjects down into simple, human terms. 

Whether we are discussing emerging threats such as AI-driven deepfakes, providing guidance on identifying financial scams, or shared recommendations on password management and multifactor authentication, the objective has remained the same: to make cybersecurity comprehensible and actionable for everyone.

AI and Deepfakes: The Threat Feels Like Science Fiction

Over the last 12 months, AI and deepfakes dominatedthe headlines and for good reason. Just a year ago, most of us were not even talking about deepfakes. Today? They are everywhere, just take OpenAI and their new tool Sora that can create hyper-realistic videos and audio clips that are so convincing they can fool even the sharpest eye. Imagine receiving a video call from someone who looks exactly like your trusted financial advisor, but it’snot really them.

In the Fall Partners Magazine titled The New Era of Financial Fraud – Deepfakes and AI, we shared, “Threat actors are using deepfakes and AI-generated content to manipulate communications, impersonate trusted individuals, and trick people into harmful financial decisions.”

It’s a terrifying reality, but there’s good news: you can take steps to protect yourself. Start by enabling multifactor authentication (MFA) on all your accounts. MFA adds an extra layer of protection, making it much harder for attackers to gain access, even if they trick you into revealing a password.

Mail Scams and Public Information: Too Real to Ignore

Have you ever received an official-looking letter in the mail about your mortgage, farm equipment, or property taxes that seemed a little… off? You are not alone. In Summer Partners Magazine, we covered this growing problem in Scammers and Public Information – Be Informed.

The short version? Cybercriminals are digging through public records—like court filings and property deeds—to send out fraudulent mail that looks incredibly legitimate. It might say you owe money, need to act quickly, or it could even offer tempting deals on equipment or loans.

Here’s what was suggested back then, and yet today: “Public records can be exploited to create mailers that mimic official correspondence, tricking recipients into taking action.”

So, what can you do?

• Trust but verify: Don’t act on any unsolicited mail until you confirm the sender’s identity.
• Shred sensitive documents before tossing them out.
• Use a locked mailbox to protect incoming mail.

And remember—if it feels rushed, urgent, or just too good to be true, pause. Scammers often use fear or excitement to push you into making hasty decisions.

Your Smartphone: A Double-Edged Sword

Let’s be honest—our smartphones are indispensable. They help manage farm operations, check finances, keep us connected—and yet, they are a goldmine for cybercriminals. If a bad actor gains access to your phone, they can grab everything: emails, passwords, bank info, you name it.

In the Spring Partners Magazine article, Five Tips to Secure Your Smartphone Now, these risks were explained: “Portability, constant connectivity, and access to sensitive information make smartphones a prime target for attackers.”

But do not worry, securing your phone is easier than you think. Start with these basics:

1. Use strong authentication, like fingerprints or facial recognition.
2. Regularly update your phone and apps—updates patch security holes.
3. Be cautious about what you download. If an app looks sketchy, it probably is.
   

A few small tweaks can go a long way toward keeping your personal and financial information safe.

Looking Ahead throughout 2025

Cybersecurity is not about perfection—it’s about progress. The key is to take small steps, focus on what matters most, and build from there. Here are some recommendations worth starting in the new year:

• Passwords: Create unique, strong passwords for a few key accounts—like email and online banking. Once you get comfortable, a password manager can help you generate and store stronger passwords across more sites.
• Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Start with your most critical accounts and enable MFA. You’ll be surprised how much protection this simple step adds.

Thank you for continuing to join us on this cybersecurity journey. Our hope is that these tips have made you feel more confident and capable when it comes to protecting yourself. Here’s to staying vigilant—and ready—for whatever 2025 has in store.

To view the winter 2025 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.

Are you ready to start living your country dreams? Maybe the thought of slowing down, getting back to nature, and enjoying everything the rural lifestyle has to offer is calling your name. If you’re curious about making a home for yourself in the country, here’s what you need to consider when weighing the different options GreenStone provides for country living loans.

Ready to Call the Country Home?

Perhaps you’re a DIY-enthusiast, ready to take on the challenging yet rewarding experience of building your own home from the ground up. Maybe you’re looking for the dream plot of land that your family will enjoy for generations to come and will be the site of your dream home. Or maybe you’re just ready to get outside of the city limits and trade the highway for winding dirt roads. Either way, GreenStone has a variety of loan options to fit your unique needs.

Home Construction Financing

Our home construction loans give you the ability to be your own contractor- or not! Whatever part of the building process you want to DIY or contract out, you decide. Build your own home completely yourself, contract everything out to a builder, or anything in between! The choice is yours.

Home Site Vacant Land Financing

When it comes to securing your dream property, you shouldn’t have to worry about stipulations around when you are going to build on it. Good things take time, and we think you should have the ability to say when you’re ready to break ground on your forever home-it’s your land after all! Our home site vacant land loans are ideal for those who want to build in the future, but don’t know exactly when.

Country Home Financing

As the experts in rural financing, we can help make your vision of purchasing the ideal country home come to life. What qualifies a property as a country home you might ask? To finance a home through GreenStone, the property must be located outside of city limits. The home can be located within a neighborhood or township, and there is no restriction to the amount of acreage the home can be on.

For those looking to purchase a country home on more than five acres, there can be significant benefits. Here is one example: A customer who currently has a loan with GreenStone on a 20-acre property would like to purchase an additional 40 acres. They don’t have the 20% down payment required for the land, but instead they have the option of getting an appraisal done on their current property and the 40 acres they would like to purchase.

This is called an add-on loan and can be an option for GreenStone customers who are financing a property over 5 acres. The existing property can be used as collateral to receive funding for the full purchase price of the new land. The customer would even be able to keep the debt of the existing and new property separate given they have different interest rates. Leveraging the equity they have on their current property gives them the opportunity to purchase more land and free up capital by not requiring a hefty down payment.

More Benefits to Living the Country Life

As the experts in rural financing, there are even more benefits to financing your country home through GreenStone in addition to the flexible loan terms, fixed interest rates, and easy re-amortization options we offer. As a GreenStone customer, you are a part of a member-owned cooperative that’s owned by and shares profits with the homeowners, landowners, and farmers we are fortunate enough to serve. Profits are returned to qualifying customers in the form of a check each year on Patronage Day. Think of it as a house-warming gift!

GreenStone’s team of experienced experts are here to help you live your country dreams. No matter which country living loan is best for you, our team is ready to help you put your plans into action. Contact your local branch today to get started!

At GreenStone Farm Credit Services, we’re committed to shaping the future of agriculture and natural resources. In 2025, we’re continuing this mission by offering thousands of dollars in scholarships to students pursuing careers in these fields.

Since 2010, GreenStone has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to undergraduate students.

Scholarship Opportunities:

Up to $40,000 in scholarships for incoming freshmen: $2,000 for students attending a four-year program and $1,000 for those in a two-year program.

The Dave Armstrong Scholarship Program, named after GreenStone’s former CEO, offers $5,000 each to four current college students.

To apply, applicants must live within GreenStone’s service area (Michigan and select counties in northeastern Wisconsin) and plan to study agriculture, timber, or natural resources. Applicants must demonstrate academic success and leadership in school, community, and agricultural activities.

The application deadline is February 28. For more details and to apply, visit www.greenstonefcs.com/about-us/community/scholarships/.

Shelli and Paul Meulemans operate Wild Coyote Farm, where they are able to connect with their community and provide organic produce. They are both first generation agriculturalists who found their roots within farming. Wild Coyote Farm offers a customizable produce share throughout the harvest season. They service local homes and the Chicago area with their produce delivery and pickup program.

The Meulemans noted “We pride ourselves on the quality and affordability of the produce we sell, and the community has responded by supporting our farm.” Beyond their produce share, the Meulemans grow a diverse selection of vegetables, along with offering eggs, lamb meat, and wool to support their community.

The Meulemans Family 

To continue providing for those around them, the Meulemans utilized GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth Grant. They were able to continue to expand their knowledge with the experience provided through the grant funds. “This grant allowed us to attend the Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show, where spent time with like-minded growers and learned from luminaries in the field of soil health and regenerative agriculture.”

The conference consisted of a variety of panelists whose topics ranged from complex soil interactions of different chemicals and the value of balancing them, to a discussion around balancing minerals in the soil versus applying foliar chemicals. These presentations allowed the couple to network with many producers and expand their knowledge in the industry.

As Wild Coyote Farm reaches their eighth farming season, the Meulemans have strong goals moving forward, and said, “We would like to continue with aggressive growth in sales, following a trend we have been able to maintain since the farm started. In order to meet those goals, we must continue to expand our land base to continue to be a sustainable organic operation. We strive to have each acre of the farm to be in pasture for two years, then to be rotated back into vegetable production only when it is ready to grow the best possible produce.”

GreenStone is proud to support agriculturalists rooted in growth like Paul and Shelli. We work to provide the educational and financial resources needed to help grow your passion for your operation. To apply for a grant, visit CultivateGrowth Grant.

Ready to start building the home of your dreams but not sure where to begin?

Whether you’re looking for the perfect house to raise your growing family, a couple of dogs or a place to host gatherings with friends, GreenStone’s home construction loans can help make it happen. Our flexible country living financing includes both contracted construction projects and do-it-yourself home builds, allowing you to choose the process that best fits your busy lifestyle.

Before you get carried away planning your perfect kitchen and begin shopping for your dream backsplash, there are a few things you’ll want to consider first as you prepare for your build. Here are the top must-dos when preparing for a construction loan and home build:

Get a Pre-Qualification

Regardless of how early in the building process you may be, even if you don’t have a home site or a builder picked out, your first step is getting prequalified. Although it may seem premature to get pre-qualified months before you need the loan, a pre-qualification will help you and your loan officer do a check-up on your finances and determine your budget. That way, when you finally begin planning the construction process you will know exactly how much you can afford.

Another bonus to getting pre-qualified early is you’ll have time to take care of any surprise credit report items you weren’t aware of, so you can work on getting your credit in tip-top shape. It’s best to get pre-qualified 2-5 months before you plan on beginning the construction process.

For example, if you plan on building in the spring, you’ll want to meet with a local lender toward the end of the year to start discussing your financial plans and building goals.

Prepare Your Land

If you have not yet chosen your home site and need to begin the search for your ideal location, your next step is to get online or contact a realtor to start the process.

If you already own the land you plan to use for your future home site, take time to consider what needs to be done before the building can start. Preparing the land looks different for each project but typically consists of testing the soil to make sure it is suitable for building on, clearing trees or getting improvements started. It is crucial to do this step 2-3 months before you plan to build so when it’s time to begin building, the land is ready to go.

Decision Time: Contracted or DIY

Once you’ve decided on a build site, it’s time to decide which build option works best for you: working with a professional contractor or building your house yourself.

If you plan to work with a contractor, start researching builders in your area. Getting references, talking with the builder’s previous customers, and asking to see homes the builder has previously built will give you a sense of their style and their price-point, and can help ensure the house plans they offer align with your home goals.

If you plan to take the DIY route, there is other homework to be done. You should start by researching the items you will need and gather the costs for each. It’s important to keep in mind the costs could change between the time you prepare for the build and at the actual time of purchase, so crosschecking the prices for each item again at the time of your build is crucial.

Do Your Research and Ask Questions

The more homework and research you do up-front to prepare yourself for the construction process, the smoother home building will be and the less likely you are to run into project setbacks. Whether you’re doing a contracted construction build or taking the opportunity to do a DIY build, understanding the construction process is key and your lender is a valuable resource!

GreenStone’s team of experienced experts are ready to finance your home construction. Find our home construction loan options here.

When Emily Gandara was growing up, she felt she never had a clear vision of what career path she wanted to take. She has a degree in Web Development and Design, but said the passion wasn’t there. She had never felt like she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. Facing this dilemma Emily, and her husband, Emmanuel, decided to start a new beginning.

“We purchased our farm in 2023 and with no farming experience, we dove right in,” Emily said. They started off that first year renovating their 1880 farmhouse, growing a cut flower garden and a fruit and vegetable garden, and raising pigs and chickens. All the produce was either sold at their farm stand or the local farmer’s market.

Wrapping up their first-year farming, the Gandaras’ had many goals to continue building, learning, and providing for their family and community. 

“This first year on the farm is the first time that I feel like I’m right where I’m meant to be. Working on the farm centers me and sets my soul on fire all at the same time. So, at 35 years old and with 4 kids, I decided to head back to school.” Emily shared how fulfilled she is to have started this journey. To stick to her goals, she applied and received GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth Grant!

She used the grant to enroll in a program through Fox Valley Technical College on Agricultural Entrepreneurship. This program detailed the ins and outs of owning a farm operation. Emily noted she learned about business finances, farm equipment, crops, and animals. This course provided her with new knowledge as Harvest Moon Farm continues to grow and expand throughout the years.

In the coming years the Gandaras hope to dive deeper in their operation. “We want to provide our family and community with healthy, fresh food and beautiful flowers.” They also want to add more animals like turkeys, goats, and cows, as well as expand their flower garden and host pick-your-own flower events in 2025!

As the Harvest Moon Farm flourishes, GreenStone is proud to support agriculturalists like them. From the beginning we work to provide the educational and financial resources needed to help grow your passion for your operation. To apply for a grant, visit CultivateGrowth Grant.