As Michiganders, we are incredibly fortunate to have an abundance of high-quality fishing opportunities right in our backyard. From our blue-ribbon trout streams to the mighty king salmon, the Michigan angler is admittedly spoiled. Yet, one fish seems to lead the charge no matter where in the state you find yourself, and that fish is the walleye. 

I believe the primary reason for this popularity boils down to table fare. If you ask ten anglers to name their favorite fish to eat, at least nine of them will choose walleye over almost any other species. While they may not be the hardest-fighting fish in our waters, they can be caught year-round, and their adaptability means they thrive all across the state. 

Chasing them on a pristine Upper Peninsula lake is about as good as it gets. The U.P. boasts world-class destinations like Big and Little Bay de Noc, the St. Marys River, and Drummond Island, all of which draw passionate anglers year after year. Heading south into the Lower Peninsula, the opportunities only multiply. Inland waters like Burt and Mullett lakes offer phenomenal fisheries, as do Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac. 

While you can certainly find walleye on the west side of Michigan, most veteran anglers know that if you want to truly get into the numbers, the east side has it all. The northeast region offers great options from Alpena down to Oscoda, but once you hit Saginaw Bay, hold on. Saginaw Bay draws crowds from every corner of our state, offering a highly productive fishery all twelve months of the year. Further south, Lake Erie is teaming with walleye, and even though you may occasionally cross into Ohio waters, the sheer volume of fish caught there is staggering. But for many Michigan anglers, the true mecca of the walleye world remains the Detroit River. 

Every spring, hundreds of thousands of anglers migrate to the Detroit River for the annual spawning run. Starting in April, virtually every hotel room in the area is booked solid. With the rise of short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, entire neighborhoods transform into bustling fish camps for weeks on end. 

The primary method for targeting these river run walleyes is vertical jigging. Mastering boat control here is a true test of skill as you fight both heavy current and unpredictable winds, not to mention navigating around the hundreds of other boats drifting right alongside you. However, once you dial in the technique, it is an incredibly effective way to fill a cooler. Another traditional method that maintained immense popularity for decades is handlining. While this technique requires specialized gear and comes with a steeper learning curve, the folks who have mastered it can often secure their limits before the boat even settles into the water. 

Ultimately, each region of our state offers the walleye angler a completely different experience, though a few universal truths remain. If peace, seclusion, and getting away from the crowds are more important to you than a guaranteed limit, head north and explore the quiet waters of the Upper Peninsula. If cutting down on windshield time sounds appealing, the inland lakes of the northern Lower Peninsula will fit your needs perfectly. If a smaller boat on inland water is your preferred speed, your options are virtually limitless. And if sheer numbers and filling the freezer are what drive you, Saginaw Bay and the Detroit River are unmatched. 

No matter where you choose to catch them, and no matter which technique you employ, one final truth binds us all together. A fresh plate of walleye is as good as it gets, right here in Michigan’s Out-of-Doors. 

 

To view the article in the online 2026 Summer Partners Magazine, click here.

Beginning with the 2027 crop year, several important updates to Livestock Risk Protection and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) will give producers more flexibility and opportunities to protect their operations. 

Insuring Further into the Future 

Starting on July 1, 2026, dairy producers will have the ability to insure the price of their cull cows using Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) even further into the future. The offers have expanded all the way from just 13 weeks up to 52 weeks into the future. “Insuring near the cash value of these cull cows for up to an entire year into the future is really going to help maintain profitability on dairy operations,” says GreenStone’s Crop Insurance Specialist Cameron Victor. 

The weight limit for cull cows has also increased from 1,500 pounds to 1,700 pounds. To help dairy producers maintain profitability through fluctuating markets, this program uses a similar dynamic price adjustment factor to the unborn calves policy that uses the futures market to insure these animals near their estimated cash value. 

A Diversified Approach to Risk Management 

Another significant change going into the new crop year is the ability for producers to use both Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) alongside Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) or LRP to insure the same commodity during the same time period. Historically, producers have had to decide between using LGM or DRP/LRP to insure their commodity.  

For dairy producers, while the same total of head or pounds of milk cannot be insured twice, production can now be split between two insurance products to hedge price and margin risk at the same time. Class III milk price for individual months and feed risk can be managed with LGM, while component values and class IV milk can be hedged with DRP.  

Because LGM can be purchased by the month and not an entire quarter, producers have more time to cover their total milk production if they don’t finish by the end of the DRP sales period. “Ultimately, this change will allow livestock producers a more diversified strategy to managing their risk,” says Cameron. “These expanded coverage options can help producers take advantage of record prices into the next year.” 

Expert Tools and Guidance for Your Operation 

When it comes to choosing the best risk management strategy for your operation, the most important piece is working with a dedicated Livestock Insurance Specialist. At GreenStone, our team of specialists focus exclusively on dairy and livestock risk management and work one-on-one with producers to determine the right coverage options. GreenStone’s exclusive Livestock Insurance Analyzer tool also allows producers to analyze policy options, track endorsements purchased, and model customized “what if” scenarios based on price movements and coverage levels. 

Our dedicated team of livestock crop insurance specialists are here to answer any questions you might have on these updated LRP coverage options or other livestock insurance options to benefit your farm. Contact your local branch to learn more!  

 

To view the article in the online 2026 Summer Partners Magazine, click here.

Get to know a few members of GreenStone’s capital markets team!

Jeremy Reineke: Managing Director of Capital Markets, 8 years of service

What is your favorite part about your role?

My favorite parts of my role include working with our outstanding team, exposure to a wide variety of agricultural industries across the nation, and connections with phenomenal leadership from many different companies. Our capital markets team makes every day on the job enjoyable.

What is something people might not know about GreenStone’s capital markets department?

The capital markets team is engaged with agricultural customers across the nation, helping support other Farm Credits and financial institutions manage credit risk on large scale credit facilities. This helps GreenStone and our partners manage risk appropriately by diversifying credit risk across various industries and geographies. The capital markets team is deeply involved in the various agribusiness industries we cover, constantly monitoring industry dynamics, factors, and trends.

How does your role support GreenStone’s mission of supporting agriculture and our rural communities?

Agriculture is an interstate industry, and our GreenStone customers export numerous agricultural products outside of our territory to other producers and for further processing. Capital markets engages with other financial institutions to help ensure those producers and processors across the country have a reliable, risk-appropriate source of capital, supporting end markets for many of our GreenStone customers.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?

I’ve been around agribusiness finance for many years and have learned numerous lessons, some easier than others. When I joined GreenStone, I found our CoreFour Values to summarize these lessons quite well. Execute these four values and you will get along just fine: Customer First, Deliver Quality, Get Involved, and Do the Right Thing.

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Andrew Shockley: VP & Managing Director of Capital Markets, 16 years of service

What is your favorite part about your role?

My favorite part about my role is definitely the people! I get to work with great people both internally and externally, starting with our capital markets team and all the adjacent teams at GreenStone that help us be successful.

What is something people might not know about GreenStone’s capital markets department?

Our portfolio has incredible variety! We cover everything from dairy to fruits and nuts, to timber, seafood, natural gas and renewable energy.

How does your role support GreenStone’s mission of supporting agriculture and our rural communities?

GreenStone provides competitive capital to the companies that grow and process the food that feeds us all, as well as the companies that efficiently provide energy and communications services to the rural communities we proudly serve.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?

I’ve learned to be curious and adaptable. The industries we serve are evolving every day and it is important for us to be ready to move in new directions along with our customers as their businesses evolve.

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Shane Prichard: VP of Capital Markets Lending, 16 years of service

What is your favorite part about your role?

My favorite part is connecting with borrowers and my peers at other Farm Credit institutions and other banks. We work in concert with other Farm Credit institutions on syndicated loans and I’ve built some great relationships over the years. Although it spans nationwide, Farm Credit has a consistent culture throughout the organizations I’ve been privileged to work with.

What is something people might not know about GreenStone’s capital markets department?

Farm Credit has such an extensive reach into so many different aspects of the economy outside of production agriculture. Over my time in capital markets, I’ve had the pleasure of working in several different industries that one may not immediately associate with Farm Credit, such as forest product companies, consumer packaged goods and recognizable grocery store brands, telecommunications, energy companies, and others.

How does your role support GreenStone’s mission of supporting agriculture and our rural communities?

I think many people don’t realize how interconnected the global economy is (I know I’ve been guilty of this). Working with such a broad scope of industries and large-scale borrowers has made me realize that every link in the chain matters. It’s rewarding to see some of the capital markets borrowers sharing that many of their customers or vendors have grown after being existing borrowers in our agribusiness lending portfolio.

In capital markets, we help to bring many of the traditional borrowers’ products to market by financing the corporations that further process raw ingredients and/or deliver to consumers. In addition, we finance critical rural infrastructure that helps deliver power, utilities, and communication capabilities to our farmers and rural regions all throughout America.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?

I thought I knew how important farming and agricultural production were to the global economy, but since joining GreenStone, I’ve realized my previous understanding was merely the tip of the iceberg. The amount of effort and resources that go into feeding the world are tremendous and it all starts with the backbone that is American farmers. The efficiency of the modern American farm is a marvel, and we are lucky to have their support.

 

To view the rest of the 2026 Summer Partners articles please click here.

A cohort of 19 interns have joined GreenStone this summer for an immersive and hands on internship experience. Each student stepped into a department aligned with their academic interests and career goals, taking on meaningful responsibilities and contributing to real projects that support their growth.

Throughout the program, interns participate in customer visits, volunteer initiatives, and career development activities while collaborating closely with GreenStone professionals who help guide their growth. With the support of our teams, these students are able to explore their interests, build valuable skills, and discover the career path that fits them best.

Introducing this summer’s GreenStone interns:

Abigail MacKersie

Quality Engineering Intern

College: Michigan State University with a major in Computer Science

How is this internship shaping your future career: It is teaching me how to work with people in a corporate space, as well as how to navigate development tools like Azure DevOps for documentation.

Aditya Jindal

DevOps Engineering Intern

College: Michigan State University with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Business

How is this internship shaping your future career: This internship is helping me learn more about cloud environments and deployment processes, which will support my future goals in AI and machine learning.

Adiva Jain

RPA Intern

College: Michigan State University with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Business

What’s been the biggest surprise since starting your internship: Something that has surprised me the most is how much creativity goes into automation. Before I started, I had expected the role to be mostly technical, but I’ve learned that understanding people’s workflows and identifying opportunities for improvement are just as important.

Aiden Kim

System Administration Intern

College: University of Michigan Alumni with a degree in Computer Science

What’s been the biggest surprise since starting your internship: I appreciated how GreenStone supported interns throughout the summer, giving opportunities to learn about the industry and other departments.

Beau Belkowski

Data Engineering Intern

College: Michigan State University with a major in Data Science

How is this internship shaping your future career path: I have known for a while that I love working with data. By working as an intern on the data team, I have the opportunity to learn about every part of the data life cycle. My hope is that this internship will give me clarity on which specific role in the data field that I want to pursue as a career.

Cam Fraizer

Application Development Intern

College: Michigan State University with a major in Computer Science and a Business cognate

How is this internship shaping your future career path: I believe this internship will help grow my technical and communication skills by working with large scale projects in a team environment.

Dayna Vander Heiden

Credit Analyst Intern

College: University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh with a major in Business Administration and minor in Insurance and Risk Management

Why GreenStone: I have been surprised by how much GreenStone cares for their customers and employees. The lengths they go to make a dream into reality is not something you come across often.

Delaney Hutton

Graphic Design Intern

College: Michigan State University with a minor in Finance

What’s been the biggest surprise since starting your internship: I’ve been the most surprised at how closely some of the departments work together, and the size and reach that GreenStone has.

Jacob Sawicki

Finance & Accounting Intern

College: Central Michigan University with a double major in Computer Science and Information Technology.

Why GreenStone: After my first interview with GreenStone I really got a sense of the workplace environment GreenStone offers, and I especially loved the “family feel” you get despise it being a very large corporation.

Jessica Burau

Marketing & Public Relations Intern

College: Michigan State University with a major in Advertising Management and minors in Public Relations and Business

What’s been the biggest surprise since starting your internship: The biggest surprise I’ve encountered since starting at GreenStone has been how truly community oriented everyone is. It’s refreshing to work on a team who genuinely cares about the community they do work for.

Kaylin Moreland

Agibusiness Credit Analyst Intern

College: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a major in Agribusiness Economics

How is this internship shaping your future career: This internship and the projects within my department have helped me better understand the responsibilities involved in agricultural lending and credit analysis. It has allowed me to build a foundation and understanding of the lending industry that I can continue to improve upon each day. I plan to use this knowledge throughout my future career to contribute positively to my team while supporting those within the agricultural industry for generations to come.

Keiana Burr

Legal & Regulatory Compliance Intern

College: Michigan State University with a double major in Philosophy and Political Science on a pre-law track and a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy

What’s been the biggest surprise since starting your internship: What surprised me most was the different areas of expertise everyone in the legal department has. Some individuals know more than others in certain areas, but they all come together to make a great, well-rounded team.

Nathan Foltz

Service Desk Intern

College: Central Michigan University with a major in Information Technology

Why GreenStone: I chose GreenStone because of how great the communication and the recruitment process was in the beginning stages as well as it felt like the right choice. And it was!

Nhu Kahn Nguyen

Capital Market Credit Intern

College: Michigan State University with a double major in Finance and Data Science

How is this internship shaping your future career: This internship is helping me build a strong foundation in credit and financial analysis by giving me exposure to real deals and underwriting decisions. Working in capital markets credit is also helping me better understand risk, structuring, and how lenders evaluate borrowers, which aligns well with my goal of pursuing a career in finance.

Oisin O’Grady

Sales Intern

College: Alma College with a double major in Business Management and Computer Science and minor in Mathematics.

Why GreenStone: I have multiple close family members who have interacted with GreenStone, and they all recommended I apply. Everyone who I know has a loan(s) with GreenStone had nothing but good things to say. After looking through last year’s Partners magazine intern highlights, I saw how much effort was put into the internship program here and was convinced.

Riley Ahmed

Legal Documentation Intern

College: Michigan State University with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology and a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy

I chose to intern at Greenstone because I know the legal department has a lot to offer, and I am excited at all that I will learn from them this summer. I wanted to gain hands-on experience in a true work environment, and this was the perfect opportunity.

Samantha Gorton

Project & Change Management Intern

College: Michigan State University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Social Science Quantitative Data Analytics

What’s been the biggest surprise since starting your internship: One thing that has surprised me the most is how vast the agricultural industry is! The large-scale operations, such as dairy, have been especially impressive and have highlighted the critical role farm credit services play in supporting these essential operations.

Samantha Schnepp

Client Support Intern

College: Lansing Community College and transferring to Michigan State University for Computer Systems

What’s been the biggest surprise since starting your internship: I have been surprised by how many people we help daily.

Sophie Gardner

Crop Insurance Intern

College: Michigan State University with a major in Agribusiness Management

Why GreenStone: I chose to intern at GreenStone because I share their passion for supporting agriculture and rural communities, and I wanted to expand my network in the agricultural industry.

 

To view the article in the online 2026 Summer Partners Magazine, click here.

You may be familiar with how GreenStone supports the local communities we’re proud to be a part of, but did you know we also serve a number of large-scale agribusinesses throughout the nation as well?

As a part of GreenStone and Farm Credit’s mission in providing reliable financing solutions for agriculture and rural communities, we’re proud to serve related middle-market and large corporate borrowers through our capital markets division. Our experienced team of capital markets lenders work with a wide range of industries including dairy, fruit, seafood, consumer goods, forestry, renewable energy, and much more.

Through loan syndication, GreenStone participates in large and complex borrowing needs for large-scale businesses with other institutions to provide businesses with access to more funding sources. GreenStone can act as the lead financier on the loan or collaborate with other Farm Credit associations or lending institutions to satisfy the large borrowing needs.

Participating in syndicated financing for large-scale borrowers allows GreenStone to diversify our lending portfolio, supporting our financial strength and helps us remain a trusted and reliable source of credit for our members, no matter the size or scale of the operation.

We are proud to support the businesses and industries that not only feed us all but help keep the world turning!

 

To view the article in the online 2026 Summer Partners Magazine, click here.

Pictured above from left to right: Joel Layman, Trent Hilding and Jed Welder.

GreenStone Farm Credit Services members reelected two directors and elected one new member to its board of directors.

Trent Hilding of Montcalm County, Mich., was re-elected to a four-year term representing voting region 5, located in the twelve counties covering mid and western Michigan. Hilding operates a grain and cow/calf farm, grain truck operation, and his agricultural law practice, which focuses on farm business and estate succession planning. He has served on the GreenStone board for four years, most recently as chair of the finance committee. 

Jed Welder of Montcalm County, Mich., was also re-elected for another four-year term representing voting region 5. Welder operates a sustainable cash crop farm and custom harvesting business. He has served on the board since 2018, most recently as chair of the legislative/public policy committee.  

Joel Layman of Berrien County, Mich., was elected to the board for a four-year term representing voting region 4. Layman operates a first-generation row crop, hay, vegetable and conventional fruit operation. He also owns and operates Silver Creek Poultry LLC, a broiler breeder farm. 

“As a member-owned cooperative governed by our members, GreenStone recognizes the importance of member involvement,” said Travis Jones, GreenStone President and CEO. “The re-election and election of these board members recognizes their strong commitment to our cooperative and its members. Their leadership continues to guide our efforts to strengthen rural communities across Michigan and northeast Wisconsin.” 

Along with the board positions, GreenStone’s members elected individuals to serve on the cooperative’s 2027 nominating committee. The nominating committee is comprised of GreenStone members from throughout the organization’s territory who are tasked with recruiting candidates for next year’s board elections and nominating committee. The 2027 nominating committee includes:  

Region 1 – Nathan Clarke (Midland County, Mich.), and Jacob T. Ostroski (Arenac County, Mich.) 

Region 2 – Grant M. Davidson (Sanilac County, Mich.), and Brandon Stolicker (Sanilac County, Mich.) 

Region 3 – Calby J. Garrison (Lenawee County, Mich.), and Matthew A. Greiner (Jackson County, Mich.) 

Region 4 – Benjamin S. Schilling (Berrien County, Mich.), and William V. Schultz (Van Buren County, Mich.) 

Region 5 – Michelle L. Nitengale (Montcalm County, Mich.), and Tyler C. Wilson (Gratiot County, Mich.) 

Region 6 – Brett Feldpausch (Clinton County, Mich.), Patrick John (P.J.) Feldpausch (Clinton County, Mich.), Brett D. Roberts (Eaton County, Mich.), and Francis Trierweiler (Clinton County, Mich.)  

Region 7 – Wayne M. Bradley (Kewaunee, Wis.), David M. Dal Santo (Oconto, Wis.), J. Patrick Hall (Kewaunee, Wis.), and Jason J. Walechka (Kewaunee, Wis.)  

Read more about how members can get involved in this article.

Visit GreenStone’s Facebook page from June 22 to July 6, 2026, for your chance to win four tickets to the 2026 U.P. Championship Rodeo!

Participation in the giveaway is simple: visit GreenStone’s Facebook page from June 22 to July 6, 2026, and comment your answer to the question on our designated post. A random drawing will be held at the end of the contest period to select the two (2) winners and each winner will receive four (4) tickets to one night of their choosing to the 2026 U.P. Championship Rodeo from July 10-11, 2026.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The contest begins with a social media post on June 22, 2026, and will conclude on July 6, 2026, at 9 AM CDT.
• Four (4) tickets will be given away to the two (2) winners of the random drawing at the end of the contest period.
• Participants must follow our Facebook page to be eligible to win.
• Only one entry per person.
• Entry must be appropriate and reflect the spirit of the rodeo.
• Participants do not need to make any purchases to enter. 
• Participants must be 18 years or older to participate. 
• Participants must live in Michigan or Wisconsin to be eligible to win. 
• To receive the prize, winners must contact GreenStone via Facebook private message by July 8, 2026, and provide their contact information.

[More details in the official rules below]

GreenStone Farm Credit Services is a proud sponsor of the U.P. Championship Rodeo. Learn more about the upcoming event: U.P. Championship Rodeo | 58th Annual U.P. Championship Rodeo

Join us on Facebook to enter!

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Official GreenStone 2026 U.P. Championship Rodeo Sweepstake Rules:

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF WINNING. The promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.

• Eligibility: This Sweepstake is open only to those followers of the GreenStone Farm Credit Service’s Facebook page (GreenStoneFCS) who participate by commenting on the specific Sweepstake post during the specified time frame and who are 18 years of age or older as of the date of entry. The Sweepstake is only open to legal residents of Michigan and Wisconsin and is void where prohibited by law. Once a participant of a GreenStone contest has been selected as a winner, participants are prohibited from winning all future GreenStone contests. Employees of GreenStone Farm Credit Services, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members and those living in the same household of Employees are not eligible to participate in the Sweepstake. The Sweepstake is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.
• Agreement to Rules: By participating, the Sweepstake participant (“You”) agree to be fully and unconditionally bound by these Rules, and You represent and warrant that You meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, You agree to accept as final and binding the decisions made by GreenStone Farm Credit Services as it relates to the terms and conditions of this Sweepstake.
• Sweepstake Period: Entries will be accepted online starting with the Facebook Sweepstake post on June 22, 2026. Entries can be submitted until July 6, 2026, at 8:59 AM CDT. The two (2) randomly selected winners will be notified on July 6, 2026.
• How to Enter: The Sweepstake must be entered by commenting on the designated post as directed on the GreenStone Farm Credit Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GreenStoneFCS. Comments that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of GreenStone Farm Credit Services. You must provide the information requested. You may enter one comment/entry per post per the life of the contest. Multiple comments will not increase your odds of winning, as GreenStone Farm Credit Services will base its selection on the first comment You made. If You use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
• Prizes: Two (2) Winners will be randomly chosen. Winners will receive four (4) tickets to the 2026 U.P. Championship Rodeo. Actual/appraised value may differ at the time of prize award. Greenstone Farm Credit Services shall solely determine the specifics of the prize. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted except at GreenStone Farm Credit Services’ sole discretion. The prize is nontransferable. All prize-related expenses, including without limitation all federal, state, and/or local taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by Winner is permitted. Acceptance of prize by Winner constitutes Winner’s permission granted to GreenStone Farm Credit Services to use Winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.
• Odds: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.
• Winner Selection and Notification: Two (2) Winners from the Sweepstake post will be randomly chosen by GreenStone Farm Credit Services. Two (2) Winners will be notified in the comments of the Facebook post on July 6, 2026, at 9 AM CDT; Sweepstake comments will be eligible for the life of the contest. GreenStone Farm Credit Services shall have no liability for Winners’ failure to receive notices due to Facebook notifications, spam, junk email, or other security settings or for Winners’ provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If the Winners cannot be contacted, are ineligible, or fail to claim the prize by July 8, 2026, the prize may be forfeited. The Winners must contact GreenStone Farm Credit Services via Facebook private message with their name, email, and phone number by July 8, 2026, to receive the details of redeeming their tickets. Receipt by Winners of the prizes offered in this Sweepstake is conditioned upon compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY A WINNER, AT GREENSTONE FARM CREDIT SERVICES’ SOLE DISCRETION, WILL RESULT IN WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE SWEEPSTAKE, AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.
• Rights Granted by You: By entering this Sweepstake, You understand and agree that GreenStone Farm Credit Services, anyone authorized to act on behalf of GreenStone Farm Credit Service, and GreenStone Farm Credit Services’ licensees, successors, agents, and assigns, shall have the right, where permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity and throughout the world, without limitation, your entry, name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image, statements about the Sweepstake, and biographical information for news, publicity, information, trade, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes, without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent.
• By entering this Sweepstake, You represent and warrant that your Facebook Sweepstake comment is your original comment and does not violate any third party’s proprietary or intellectual property rights. If your Facebook comment infringes upon the proprietary or intellectual property right of another, You will be disqualified at the sole discretion of GreenStone Farm Credit Services. If the content of your Facebook comment is claimed to constitute infringement of any proprietary or intellectual proprietary rights of any third party, You shall, at your sole expense, defend or settle against such claims. You shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless GreenStone Farm Credit Services from and against any suit, proceeding, claims, liability, loss, damage, costs or expense, which GreenStone Farm Credit Services may incur, suffer, or be required to pay arising out of such infringement or suspected infringement of any third party’s right.
• Terms & Conditions: GreenStone Farm Credit Services reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstake should any virus, bug, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, or other source beyond GreenStone Farm Credit Services’ control, corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or proper administration of the Sweepstake. In such case, GreenStone Farm Credit Services may select the Winner from all eligible Facebook comments received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by GreenStone Farm Credit Services. GreenStone Farm Credit Services reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with or attempts to tamper with the entry process, administration or operation of the Sweepstake, or website, or violates these Terms and Conditions. GreenStone Farm Credit Services has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Sweepstake, to void Facebook comments for any reason, including, but not limited to: multiple Facebook comments on same post from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple Facebook comments from the same computer in excess of that allowed by Sweepstake rules; or the use of bots, macros, scripts, or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website for the purpose of undermining the legitimate operation and administration of the Sweepstake may be in violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such attempt be made, GreenStone Farm Credit Services reserves the right to fully seek damages permitted by law.
• Limitation of Liability: By commenting on a Sweepstake post, You agree to release and hold harmless GreenStone Farm Credit Services and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from: (i) such entrant’s participation in the Sweepstake and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof; (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunction of any computer, cable, network, server, hardware or software, Facebook page, or other mechanical equipment; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions, telephone, or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Sweepstake; (v) electronic or human error in the administration of the Sweepstake or the processing of comments.
• Disputes: THIS SWEEPSTAKE IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW. AS A CONDITION OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS SWEEPSTAKE, PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT ALL DISPUTES THAT CANNOT BE RESOLVED BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THIS SWEEPSTAKE, SHALL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION, EXCLUSIVELY BEFORE AN APPROPRIATE COURT HAVING JURISDICTION WITHIN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. FURTHER, IN ANY SUCH DISPUTE, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL PARTICIPANT BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN AWARDS FOR, AND HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES, OTHER THAN PARTICIPANT’S ACTUAL, REASONABLE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (I.E. COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKE). PARTICIPANT FURTHER WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR INCREASED.
• Privacy Policy: Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the GreenStone Farm Credit Services website. View the Privacy Policy at https://www.greenstonefcs.com/resources/member-resources/security-privacy-center/
• Winners List: To obtain a copy of the Winners’ names or a copy of these Official Rules, mail your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Attn: Marketing and Public Relations Department, 3515 West Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823. Requests must be received no later than July 8, 2026. These Official Rules may not be available online after the expiration of this Sweepstake. Copies of these Official Rule may be requested as noted in this paragraph, subject to GreenStone Farm Credit Services document retention policy.
• Sponsor: The Sponsor of the Sweepstake is GreenStone Farm Credit Services, 3515 West Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, USA.
• Sweepstake hosted by GreenStone Farm Credit Services is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.

Farming is an ever-changing industry. As you know, it takes persistence, resilience, and unwavering determination to build a thriving farming operation. As agriculture continues to evolve due to changing markets, new technology, fluctuating weather patterns, and consumer demands, producers continue to adapt and reinvigorate their business practices. If you’re considering diversifying your income streams or incorporating additional ways to add value to your operation, here are important topics to speak to your lender about beforehand.

Communicate the changes being made

No matter the updates you plan to make, it’s important to bring your lender into the conversation even in the early stages of planning. Are the changes you’re making going to impact the scale of your operation? Maybe you’re considering renting more land or have decided to streamline your operation and focus your efforts on a select number of commodities. Perhaps you’re considering improving your efficiency through additional processing equipment or would like to implement more sustainability practices on your farm. No matter the updates you’ll be making to your operation, make sure your lender has a thorough understanding of your plans, and the “why” behind your changing farming practices.

Consider the financial impact on your farm

Any change to your business practices, big or small, will have a financial impact. When working with your lender on implementing these changes, there are several financial checkpoints you should evaluate.

Consider any upfront costs of getting started with the new business practice. This could include any equipment you don’t already own or have access to, additional infrastructure or labor, different inputs like seed or fertilizer, or any other costs associated with integrating new processes into your operations.

If you have an operating line, evaluate the impact any changes will have on your working capital. Will you need to increase your line of credit to cover the upfront expenses of implementing a new business practice? Have you considered the timing of cash-flow, especially if you expect to see delayed payback from this new activity? These are all important conversations to have with your lender, who can help you determine the right solution.

Are these changes the right fit for your operation?

Whenever you’re making decisions that will impact the structure of your business, it’s important to evaluate how those changes will affect your operations in the long run. Are the changes you’re making complimentary to your existing business activities, or are they something completely new that requires an updated business model? How much of your daily operations will you need to change? Do your plans make sense with your long-term goals for your farm?

In recent years, dairy farmers have become more intentional with their breeding decisions while looking for ways to maintain their margins and avoiding an overabundance of replacement heifers in their herd. As a result, beef-on-dairy breeding has become a popular way for dairy farmers to see a faster return on investment on day-old calves.

Additionally, many farmers have integrated direct marketing into their business models through farmer’s markets, farm stands, online stores, or U-pick operations. Marketing directly to consumers provides many benefits such as stronger relationships and connections to consumers while eliminating the expense of a middleman. However, before jumping all-in on a new way to diversify revenue such as these examples, it’s important to consider the costs of implementing a new marketing strategy to determine if it will pay off in the long run.

Does your farm have bandwidth to try something new?

Implementing changes also comes down to your operation’s capacity to incorporate additional expenses, logistics, and time dedicated to another activity. Your lender can help you review benchmarks like market demand, resource availability, time commitment needed, and what your strategy is if market demand softens. That’s why starting the conversation as early as possible with your lender will help you develop a strategic and thorough plan.

Work with a team of experts

No matter what your goals are for your farm, it’s important to bring your lender into conversation as soon as possible. Working with an experienced agricultural lender like GreenStone can help you determine what the right move is for your farm. Our team of specialized lending experts are here to help guide you through the process of integrating new business practices into your farming operation.

 

This article was originally published in Michigan Farm News.

Whether you are buying a home, working with a contractor to build a home, or putting on the hard hat yourself with a DIY home construction loan, chances are you will need financing. When applying for a home loan, here are the common documents you will need to help ensure a smooth loan process.

Home Loan Document Checklist

These are the documents you will need for almost all home and home construction loans.

• Completed loan application: Most lenders, like GreenStone, offer an online application tool in addition to a paper loan application. We recommend speaking with a financial services officer before applying to go over approval details and discuss your plans.
• E-consent form: Opting into E-consent will allow GreenStone to send notices, documents, and disclosures to you electronically.
• Two most recent tax returns, including W-2s: At GreenStone, we require your two most recent tax returns, including your W-2s. We will evaluate your two-year historical average.
• Pay stubs from the past 30 days: To confirm your income and current employment status.
• Two most recent monthly bank statements: To verify your liquid assets and confirm the source of your downpayment.
• Most recent investment statements: GreenStone requests your most recent statement from each of your IRA, 401K, retirement, or other investment accounts. This information will document any additional liquid assets.
• Purchase agreement: A legally binding document, signed by the seller and purchaser, documenting the details of the sale/purchase of the real estate. If the transaction is a purchase, GreenStone will require a fully executed purchase agreement.
• Photo Identification: For your safety, to be approved for a loan, you must provide an official form of photo identification. This can be a driver’s license, a state-issued ID card, or a passport.

Additional Documents Needed for a Refinance

If you are refinancing a piece of land or a home, you will need the documents listed from the checklist above, along with your:

• Most recent winter and summer tax bills: As part of the evaluation of your ability to repay your loan, lenders consider your real estate taxes. At GreenStone, when refinancing, we ask for your most recent winter and summer tax bills.
• Insurance declaration page indicating annual premium: We take into account your homeowner’s insurance premium to ensure all expenses are factored into the feasibility of loan repayment.

DIY Home Loan Document Checklist

If you are building your dream home as a “do-it-yourself” project instead of fully contracted, you will need all the documents listed from the home loan document checklist, along with the following documents:

• Your building plans: GreenStone requires an outline of your building plans, including the dimensions of each room and floor plan. Some lenders also require stamped blueprints.
• Dwelling specifications form: Your lender will ask for a plans and specifications form that outlines the design of your home. The form will also specify what type of materials you will be using throughout the entire house.
• Bids from contractors for the entire build: While you may be planning to build portions of the home yourself, it’s important to plan ahead in case there is a bump in the road. GreenStone may require bids from contractors to complete the work in case you are injured or can no longer finish the project yourself during the designated timeline.
• Signed and notarized sworn statement: A sworn statement is a construction document that lists the contractors and suppliers that provide material or labor for a project. It includes information about who is owed money and how much they are owed.
• Dwelling under construction insurance (builder’s risk insurance): Most lenders, including GreenStone, require you to secure builder’s risk insurance to protect against things like theft of building materials or weather-related structure damage during construction.
• Construction agreement or builder contract: If you are working with a contractor for portions of your home construction, you will also need to provide a construction agreement or builder contract so your lender can review the details and timeline of the project. GreenStone requires a construction agreement signed by both you and the builder(s). If you are working with more than one building company, you will need to provide an agreement for each one.

Knowing what documents to provide when applying for a home or construction loan can be overwhelming. Our local team of lending experts are ready to assist you! Before applying, reach out to your local GreenStone branch, to have a member of our team walk you through the approval process, or get started with the loan application process here.

With planting season in full swing, it’s a good idea to take a step back and evaluate a few financial checkpoints to ensure you are on the right track for hitting your goals for the season. Planting season is one of the busiest and most cash-intensive times of the year, so taking a proactive approach to reviewing your financial position can help support informed decision-making and position your operation for success throughout the entire year.

Know Your Numbers

Input Costs

Cost awareness will improve everything from your marketing decisions to your pricing strategy, to your peace of mind and confidence. Start by identifying your break-even cost and cost per acre. Having a clear understanding of the cost to produce your crop allows you to better manage input expenses like seed, fertilizer, and fuel while keeping track of what you’ve already spent this season. Review which costs have increased since your original projections and evaluate where adjustments can be made. If needed, look for opportunities to reduce expenses now so you can stay on track with your goals.

Working Capital

During this time of year, when cash flow is typically lower, it is also important to evaluate your working capital. Do you have enough cash flow to cover your input costs and operating expenses? An operating loan can help give you the working capital you need to keep operations running smoothly.

Be sure to monitor your operating line usage closely—if expenses are higher than expected and you need to increase your line of credit, reach out to your lender as soon as possible to discuss the right solution to support your operation.

Revenue Projections

As you wrap up planting, evaluate whether your planted acres matched your plan going into the season. Are there any early indicators such as weather, soil conditions, or prevented planting that could impact your yield for harvest season? If so, communicate these challenges as far ahead as possible with your lender, especially if they are impacting your revenue projections.

It’s never a bad idea to communicate potential challenges to your tax specialist ahead of time too. This can help them estimate your tax liability and recommend strategies to manage it as well. At GreenStone, our lending and financial services work together, minimizing the need to work with a separate lender and tax and accounting specialist. Our team is here to find the best possible solutions for you!

Plan Beyond the Current Season

Service Your Equipment

Are there any repairs or routine maintenance that should be performed on your equipment? Don’t wait until something breaks to service your machines; preventative maintenance goes a long way in extending the life – and value – of your costly investment. Now is the time to get your fleet ready for harvest season. It’s also important to consider any equipment upgrades or replacements that should be made at this time. Just be sure you are avoiding unnecessary capital purchases, and the return on investment is beneficial to your operation and your bottom line!

Evaluate Coverage Levels

It’s also a good idea to consider additional coverage options for your crops, such as adding crop hail insurance to your policy which can protect you against yield losses caused by fire, lightning, or vandalism. Talk to your crop insurance specialist about additional coverage options that are available to you.

Invest Now in Input Costs

If possible, purchasing inputs such as seed and fertilizer in the off-season can save you time and money in the long run.

Plan for your other upcoming seasonal cash flow needs as well. Ask yourself what your cash flow needs will be as you begin to plan for harvest season that you can account for now, such as grain storage or land rent payments.

The Power of Being Proactive

More than anything, being proactive when communicating with your lender is key. Knowing your numbers provides the foundation for every decision you make, helping both you and your lender make informed decisions that will help you reach your goals each season.

Contact your local team of lending experts at your nearest GreenStone branch to learn more.

 

This article was originally published in Michigan Farm News.