For as long as he can remember, Drew Richard has loved the hustle and bustle of working on a farm. His grandpa and uncle have been farmers his entire life, and even from a young age, he would climb up on their laps and ride the fields in a combine.

“When I was little, at just six years old, I wanted to run the equipment,” said Drew. “Ever since then, I was really fascinated with large equipment.”

In high school, he worked on his friend’s dairy farm during the summer where he was able to gain experience driving tractors and running machinery every day.

Even now, that passion hasn’t waned.

“That job just got me hooked even more,” said Drew. “It just got into my blood and I’ve never lost interest in it.”

For the past decade, Drew has worked at Cremer Farms in Williamston doing everything from planting, harvesting, and working in the office.

Building a Future

In 2020, Drew decided it was time to get a stake in the game and decided to buy 55 acres of Cremer Farms, including a home and some farm buildings.

“This is a good starting point of owning some land and getting involved in the operation more than just as an employee,” said Drew.

He worked with GreenStone Financial Services Officer Stevan Stoutenburg to make this big step a reality.

“It’s a good relationship and Stevan treated me really well and helped me with any issues,” said Drew.

But this wasn’t their first time meeting. Stevan met Drew when he was selling fertilizer at a previous job, and he was excited to work with him to secure his land loan at GreenStone.

“It’s really fun working with a young guy that wants to grow and that’s extremely passionate about agriculture,” said Stevan.

Drew was able to take advantage of GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth program, which is set up to help simplify the financing process through relaxed requirements for young, beginning and small farmers who may not have the capital normally needed to start farming.

Stevan was happy to walk Drew through these benefits – things like the CultivateGrowth mentorship and grant program and other educational resources.

“We are happy to help them get their foot in the door. If we don’t do it, who is going to help them? It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s part of our mission  to help younger generations get started,” said Stevan. “The future is young farmers!”

For the past two harvests, Drew has had his own corn, soybean, and winter wheat crops.

“He’s one of those guys that can run the farm and can operate the equipment. He’s hands-on, cleaning the combine, he’s calling the seed representatives,” said Stevan. “He’s not just calling the shots in a managerial position. He’s very smart.”

Leaning on a Community

In order to navigate the world of agriculture as a young farmer, you need support. Aside from his family and coworkers, Drew has found a community of other young farmers in Michigan.

“He’s friends with a lot of the younger and older farmers in the area,” said Stevan.

He uses social media to connect with other young farmers who may be experiencing similar things.

“Every young guy has there own set of ideas that they may want to change or do different,” said Drew. “I’m in a Snapchat group with the next generation of upcoming farmers in the area. I’m also on Twitter a lot where I’m able to network with farmers my age about the same battles.”

Drew said he is able to have conversations with farmers in these groups about what has and has not worked on their farms.

Looking Ahead

Drew is future-focused and plans on purchasing more land from the farm as the generational transition evolves. He also hopes to upgrade some technology on the farm and keep improving efficiency.

“My big picture plan is to keep the farm whole as it is,” said Drew. “I’d like to think that over the ten years I’ve been here, I’ve helped build the farm as it is. My hope is to keep the farm thriving.”

GreenStone is ready to continue helping Drew make his farming dreams come true.

“It’s really fun to work with a guy who wants to grow,” said Stevan.

 

This article was originally published in GreenStone’s 2022 annual report. You can view the annual report in its entirety here.

Oftentimes when you think about retirement, there’s a lot of relaxation in the mix, but for David and Joanna Uhl of Dundee, Michigan, it’s a whole new chapter of keeping busy.

The couple is enjoying this new stage of life in their beautiful home on their new cattle farm.

David and Joanna are no strangers to the trials and tribulations of raising cattle, though. They have been in the farm business since 1990.

Since then, they have traveled to different cattle shows, they have bred cows, and their two sons grew up raising cattle for 4-H.

When they retired, they decided it was the perfect time to kick their cattle business into high gear. To do so, they needed a bigger property to accommodate their dreams.

In 2021, they began pursuing a large piece of land just around the corner from their home.

“We had a family meeting and decided we wanted to grow. I had always been looking at this piece of property around the corner,” said David. “I knew the gentleman that owned it. I think he just got tired of me bugging him and decided to sell it to me.”

Developing a Plan

From that point on, they began drawing up a plan to include a custom home and two large barns.

To make it happen, they reached out to GreenStone and began working with Financial Services Officer Stephanie Lundy. Because of COVID-19 protocols, their first meeting was by video chat, but that didn’t stop an important relationship from blossoming.

“Our first meeting had to be on Zoom, and still, her warmth and her ability to communicate clearly regardless of the setting set us at ease immediately and we have enjoyed working with her from that moment on,” said Joanna. “She’s accessible and knowledgeable.”

“They were really great people to talk with and their project was cool. I was really excited about it,” said Stephanie.

That cool project included heated barns with enough space to accommodate about 80 cattle, a room for family parties in one of the barns, and a large barnyard for the cattle to roam.

After the property was complete and COVID-19 settled down, Stephanie was able to visit the farm and see that plan come to life.

“I’ve never had anyone actually come out to any place we’ve bought,” said David. “Nobody ever came out and she has made it clear to us that GreenStone is in it for the long haul. She wants us to be successful.”

Giving Back to the Community

As if a retirement filled with wrangling cattle isn’t enough, David and Joanna are committed to working in public service.

David is the Economic Development and Public Safety Director for French Town Charter Township. Public safety is in his blood after his 35 years with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and when he started a police force from scratch for the Village of Dundee where he worked as police chief for four years.

“I’ve been in public service my whole life. My wife has, too. We are very committed to our communities and giving back to our communities, and we think it’s very important to be in the position where we can help,” said David.

Joanna is on her 22^nd year as the Dundee Township Supervisor, which is only half as long as her nearly 40-year career in teaching at Plymouth Canton schools.

As a longtime teacher, she knows the best way to keep children in line is to give them something to do. Raising her two boys is a big reason they went into farming in the first place.

“Since the boys were young, we thought it was a great way to instill responsibility and keep the boys busy and it has worked out really well,” said Joanna. “They are very hardworking individuals.”

Looking to the Future

And with the help of those two hardworking sons, they hope to expand even more. Right now, David and Joanna have about thirty cattle, but they’re ready to welcome more soon.

Eventually, they hope to open a shop on their land.

“We’d also like to put up a little building on our property where people could come and buy local produce and our meat,” said David. “People tell us they can’t afford to buy an entire cow, but they want to buy pieces of it, so we want to move in that direction.”

And they’re leaning on GreenStone to make all future expansions happen – that’s something that Stephanie is excited about.

“At GreenStone, we’re in a unique space where people who want to live on larger parcels, that’s our niche. That’s what we’re made to do.”

 

This article was originally published in GreenStone’s 2022 annual report. You can view the annual report in its entirety here.

GreenStone Farm Credit Services is proud to announce the co-op has promoted two leaders as new Regional Vice Presidents of Sales and Customer Relations in West and Southeast Michigan. Matt Alt, who has been with GreenStone for a decade, will serve in the role covering western Michigan, and Mike Niesyto, who has been with GreenStone for twelve years, will serve in the role for southeastern Michigan.

 

Matt Alt: Regional Vice President of Sales and Customer Relations, West Michigan

Matt Alt has worked hard during his tenure with GreenStone serving in a number of roles. His journey began as an intern on GreenStone’s sales team in 2013. After graduating from Michigan State University in 2014, Alt joined the team full-time as a Financial Services Officer in GreenStone’s Hart location. Most recently, he served as the VP of Lending for GreenStone’s agricultural customers based out of the Grand Rapids branch.

“There’s no doubt that Matt works hard and goes above and beyond to develop his leadership skills, but one of his best qualities is his ability to work on a team and uplift those around him,” said Melissa Humphrey, Senior Vice President of Regional Sales. “With the experience and motivation he brings to the table, I know he is the right person to lead our west region team.”

Matt has kept busy at GreenStone over the years. He helped launch GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth program helping young, beginning and small farmers with flexible loan options and eligibility requirements. He has also completed the Great Lakes Leadership Academy at Michigan State University.

In his new role, Matt will provide coaching and oversight to the team of financial services officers serving customers to make sure the co-op is providing exemplary service to members in GreenStone’s Charlotte, Grand Rapids, Hart, and Ionia branches.

Mike Niesyto: Regional Vice President of Sales and Customer Relations, Southeast Region

Mike Niesyto also began his journey with GreenStone as an intern working with the credit team in 2011. That fall, upon graduating from Central Michigan University, he came on board full-time as a Credit Analyst in East Lansing. Following that, Niesyto made the move to working with customers’ financial needs and progressed to most recently serve as a Senior Financial Services Officer working with a diverse group of farm and agribusiness customers from GreenStone’s Ann Arbor branch.

“It is clear Mike brings years of dedication and experience to this role,” said Melissa Humphrey. “Working in different sectors of GreenStone makes Mike well-rounded and a great fit to lead this group.”

Niesyto has gone above and beyond at GreenStone serving on a number of committees and workgroups. Like Alt, Niesyto completed the Great Lakes Leadership Academy at Michigan State University, helped launch and continues to help lead the CultivateGrowth program and brings a diverse background with him to this role.

In his new role, Niesyto will provide guidance to a team of financial services offices to make sure the co-op is providing a positive customer experience for members at GreenStone’s Adrian, Concord, Jonesville, and Monroe locations.

We understand the unpredictability that farming brings – from weather to climate and everything in between, it’s important to keep your crops and your bottom line protected. That’s why we bring our century of experience serving rural communities and farmers to create a crop insurance policy that’s customized just for you.

Top 5 Reasons to Choose GreenStone for Crop Insurance

We pride ourselves on the customer service experience we deliver to our customers. Although there are many reasons GreenStone is the right choice for your crop insurance solutions, here’s a breakdown of the top five ways we’ve become the best fit to take on the job.

1. Experience: GreenStone’s crop insurance team has more than 100 years of combined experience. We understand your needs in the field; several members of our crop insurance team jump on the tractor and work on their own farms when their workday ends at GreenStone. Our team members each specialize in specific sectors of crop insurance – from row crops to dairy and livestock, to fruit and specialty crops – meaning each specialist is an expert in their segment.
2. Grain Marketing Knowledge: GreenStone’s crop insurance team comes from a wide variety of expertise and backgrounds. Many on our team have worked in the grain market sector and have in-depth industry knowledge to help you select the best plan for your farm.
3. Willingness to Help: GreenStone’s crop insurance team meets you where you are – whether that’s at your kitchen table or in your combine. GreenStone’s crop insurance team uses a special calculator to see if our customers are eligible for certain government relief programs – saving you time and money.
4. Resources: GreenStone uses exclusive tools like Optimum and Precision Acreage Reporting to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck in the easiest and more accurate way possible. Read about the benefits of these below in this blog.
5. One Stop Shop: Need a loan on top of your crop insurance plan? How about tax and accounting services to keep your bookkeeping on track? GreenStone can do it all – under one roof. There’s no need to rely on three separate companies. We will come to you for all of your financial needs.

 

Precision Acreage Reporting

One major benefit of choosing GreenStone for your crop insurance plan is our precision acreage reporting connection.

Any grower knows that acreage reporting not only important but is required to receive crop insurance protection. This report outlines things like the type of crop, how many acres the crop covers, and the intended use of that crop. If that report isn’t precise, it could cost you money in the long run. That’s why our precision acreage reporting tool is dependable option for many farmers who are already utilizing precision technology.

Oftentimes, acreage reporting relies on maps from the Farm Service Agency, but Precision Acreage Reporting through GreenStone allows farmers to benefit from the technology they are already using in their equipment to report their own crops for crop insurance. That means more simple and quick reporting and can also bring down the overall price of your plan because it’s a more accurate reading on how the land is being used.

Plus, it’s convenient. GreenStone is able to use the information provided by growers to process their required crop insurance acreage reporting without having to visit the farm. And – the Precision Acreage Reporting tool can be used in the palm of your hand on your phone.

 

Benefits of Optimum

One exclusive tool GreenStone crop insurance customers benefit from is Optimum, a program that allows us to plug in your specific farm details and generate thousands of scenarios to help you choose the perfect plan for your farm. Optimum is exclusive to Farm Credit – meaning you won’t find this benefit anywhere else in Michigan or northeast Wisconsin!

Optimum is like an equation. It takes all of the different plans, levels of protection, and extra endorsements you can tack on and factors in your actual production history. It then comes up with the best crop insurance plan options for your individual scenarios.

Optimum lets you take a look at real-life scenarios to see how much you would be covered in the event of things like natural disasters, hail, or a dry spell. The program also lets you take a look at how crops perform in your specific community so you know exactly what to look out for, and what protection is best suited to help you.

The best part – you still have full control over what plan you decide is best for your farm. Our customers have told us that this service has helped them feel confident they are picking the best crop insurance plan!

We’re Here for You

We’re here to go the extra acre to help protect you. To learn more about our crop insurance products and important dates to keep in mind, and to figure out which policy is right for you, check out the crop insurance page on our website.

Have a question? Give your local branch a call today!

EAST LANSING, MICH. – January 21, 2020 –The GreenStone Farm Credit Services’ board of directors has approved $100 million in patronage to be paid to its member-owners on March 11, 2020. This record-level of patronage, nearly 50% of GreenStone’s net profits, brings total patronage payments to $500 million in the 15 years of the program. More than 25,000 members of the cooperative will receive a check.

“2019 presented farmers with some very difficult challenges,” says former GreenStone President and CEO Dave Armstrong. “A patronage check is not a fix for the situations members encountered last year, but it does signify our long-term commitment to providing dependable services at a competitive rate.” 

The ability to show, in this very tangible way, the value of cooperative partnership is the result of strong loan growth, operational efficiencies, and members’ continued commitment to their own business stability, which all lead to these strong net earnings.

In addition to the patronage payment to members, GreenStone will also be paying appreciation forward through GreenStone’s Member Grown Outreach program, with a total of $20,000 in donations to strengthen partnerships with local organizations and charities. Money will be directed to groups based on choices made by members voting at their branch office.

“The record-level of patronage is a direct result of our support of farmers in Michigan and northeast Wisconsin, and our members’ trust in GreenStone,” adds Armstrong. “This partnership reflects our commitment to do all we can to assist our members through seasons of profit and cycles of challenges.”

In support of its members, the cooperative continues to build and grow for the future. GreenStone leadership continues to diversify the company portfolio by extending involvement into country living and rural homeowner products and services.

GreenStone members are invited to visit their local branch on March 11 to participate in the Patronage Day celebration. For more information about the Patronage Program, visit our website here. 

Home ownership is part of the American dream…but so is financial stability. Thankfully, the two can complement each other when it comes to tax time. Clearly, tax planning is critical, and understanding the rules and how they apply to you is where GreenStone tax experts can help. We want to you to be successful in both areas, so let’s discuss the tax benefits for building, buying, and improving a home.

Home mortgage deduction

The home mortgage interest deduction is the first place to find your home ownership tax break. With this, you can count interest you paid on a loan related to building, buying, or improving a home, and put it towards your total itemized deductions. In order to itemize deductions, the total needs to be greater than the standard deduction of $12,550 for single and $25,900 for married filing jointly. Overall, this will lower the amount of taxes you’ll owe. Also, this can apply to two personal residences.

Settlement costs

When you purchased your home, you paid ‘settlement’ or ‘closing costs’ in addition to the contract price. These costs are usually divided between you and the seller on the sales contract. If you built your home, these costs were probably paid when you bought the land or settled on your mortgage. To prepare for this deduction, bring your closing statement and Form 1098 from your mortgage company to your tax accountant. You can also deduct certain property taxes the year you buy your home if you itemize.

Real estate

Real estate taxes are annual taxes homeowners pay on the assessed value of a home. When you itemize, you can deduct property taxes from your main residence and any other real estate you own, up to a maximum of $10,000 ($5,000 for filing single). Basically, real estate taxes are deductible for all the property you own. Check Schedule A – Itemized Deductions for details.

Sale of personal residence

After you live in your home for two or more years, you can sell it and exempt it up to $250,000 (or $500,000 per couple) from income tax on its sale. This allows you to shelter the appreciation on your home, build equity and move it into another home, or invest it without paying income tax on the gain.

We’re happy to work with you on your dream home – and your dream tax deductions! Please contact your local GreenStone branch for assistance.

The new year isn’t only a good time to set lifestyle goals, but it’s also a great time to take a look at your finances. This is especially important if you are considering buying vacant land, a new home or even if you’re thinking about making upgrades to your home.

Making a Budget and Making Decisions

Before grabbing a calculator and making a budget, you should take a look at what debt you have and what type of financial standing you’re in. This allows you to see how eligible you are for certain loans based on your credit and gives you an idea of how much debt you have yet to pay off.

Once you have identified the debt you have, it’s time to start listing out your monthly payments. This is going to help you decide if you can take on more debt for a land, house, or construction loan.

If you have enough extra income to tack on another bill, you have to decide if you want to. Just because you can afford to take on a new loan doesn’t necessarily mean it will leave you with enough money each month to live the lifestyle you desire. Consider if the long-term investment is worth having less spending money.

Remember, just because you get pre-qualified for a loan doesn’t mean you can – or should – afford it. Get advice on figuring out what’s best for your budget in this article.

If you listed your debt and realized you need more time before taking on more monthly bills, take time to put together a plan to start eliminating some of that debt. You may wish to start by listing out your debt in order from smallest to largest. Then, create a plan to begin making larger payments on the smallest debt. When that debt is gone, move to the next smallest debt, and so on and so forth. Soon, you may be ready to reconsider that new property or home upgrade!

Setting Aside Money

Another way to position yourself to take on a new loan is by setting aside money now that you can use later for a down payment. When financing through GreenStone, many loans require a 20% down payment for home or vacant land loans. Having that cash set aside will help you be ready to move fast when the perfect property comes your way!

One idea as you start the year is to consider participating in a “no spend month.” This is when you only pay your bills and necessities for a month and spend no other money. So, no lattes, dinners out, or nights at the movie theater. Instead, stay in and enjoy a movie at home or by spending time playing cards with friends. When the month is over, take the money you saved and set it aside for your future loan.

Securing a Loan

If you’re serious about buying new land or securing a new home, sacrificing extra spending now is worth the reward.

When you decide you’re ready to take out that new home, land or construction loan, our team is here to help. Find a GreenStone location near you here and give our team a call to see what financing options are right for you!

#PartnershipPays – March 16, 2023

When our members are successful, we’re successful; and once again that partnership is realized through Patronage!

On March 16, GreenStone staff and members will celebrate together while handing out checks to members totaling $120 million! With a record $120 million in dividends being returned to members this March, there is a lot to celebrate!

Being a member-owned cooperative means our members benefit from our strong financial position. That’s why your board of directors elected to again increase your Patronage return this year from $115 million in 2022 to $120 million in 2023 – that’s remarkably over 40% of GreenStone’s 2022 net earnings and it’s all coming back directly to our loan customers, our members, in dividend checks on March 16.

This record-level Patronage is a direct result of the success of our members and your trust in GreenStone. This partnership reflects our commitment to do all we can to assist our members through unprecedented times, seasons of profit and cycles of challenges.

Each member will receive a notification letter in mid-February in which you’ll learn the amount of your check. With the letter will be a personal invitation to join us in the celebration at your local branch, where you’ll be able to pick up your check and enjoy the festive fun with your local staff.

As a financial cooperative, it is necessary for GreenStone to generate strong earnings and maintain adequate capital levels to help ensure we remain a dependable source of credit for years to come. In support of its members, the cooperative continues to build and grow for the future. Record Patronage, earnings, and capital, combined with strong loan growth in 2022 and solid customer satisfaction and employee engagement, are just a few key reasons our partnership with members will be prosperous long-term. Personal relationships and partnerships with our members are at the heart of our culture; it is what makes partnering pay in this very tangible way.

Patronage Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of your cooperative membership. Come join us in the branch for food, connection, and fun and collect your member reward.

#PartnershipPays

 

To view the article in the online 2023 Winter Partners Magazine, click here.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Rise time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water 110 degrees F
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 5-6 cups flour

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the 1 TBSP of the sugar in warm water and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
2. Mix remaining sugar, salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Dough should be tacky and clean the sides of the bowl. Note that too much flour will yield a dry loaf of bread; if you add too much, add a bit more hot water until you get the correct consistency.
3. Knead dough for 7 minutes. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4. Punch dough down. Knead for 1 minute and divide in half. Shape into loaves and place into two greased 9×5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes. Cool, brush with butter and enjoy!

Source: butterwithasideofbread.com/homemade-bread

 

To view the article in the online 2023 Winter Partners Magazine, click here.

Utilizing items that you most likely already have lying around your home, gather the family to make these beautiful snowflake suncatchers.

Here’s what you will need:

• Scissors
• A sheet of paper for each snowflake you would like to make
• Assorted colors of tissue paper
• Clear contact paper or Press’n Seal wrap

Making your snowflake

1. Fold one corner of your sheet of paper to the opposite side of the page to form a triangle.
2. Cut the excess strip of paper from the top of the triangle.
3. Fold your triangle in half to form another triangle.
4. Fold one side of your triangle toward the middle to form a point at the bottom, and then fold the other side of your triangle to overlap it.
5. Cut the top of your newly formed triangle to remove the points.
6. Now the real fun begins! Cut shapes out of the folded paper to create your own unique design.
7. Unfold to reveal your beautiful snowflake!

Transforming your snowflake into a suncatcher

1. Cut your tissue paper selections into small squares.
2. Grab your snowflake and press it onto your clear contact paper or Press’n Seal wrap.
3. Now fill in the empty spaces of the snowflake with your tissue paper squares.
4. Upon completion, cover the tissue paper side of your snowflake with another piece of clear contact paper or Press’n Seal wrap.
5. Cut around the edge of your snowflake to remove the excess sealant.

You have now successfully completed your snowflake suncatcher! Hold them up to the light or hang them on the window to fully enjoy your beautiful creation. If you try this DIY, tag us on social media so we can reshare your cool craft!

 

To view the article in the online 2023 Winter Partners Magazine, click here.