For nearly 100 years, the Gross family in Weidman, Michigan near Mount Pleasant has been running a full dairy operation.

It started in 1926 when Phil and Steve’s grandfather, Charles Gross, bought some cattle. The farm grew and milk was leaving the property by the gallon.

In 1947, the farm was passed down to Charles’ son, Norman, the father of Phil and Steve. The two boys grew up on the dairy farm where they fell in love with taking care of cattle, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“You’re born into the industry and you realize that you enjoy it and you really don’t want to do anything else,” said Steve. “I know it sounds simple, but that’s how it goes.”

“We grew up on the farm,” said Phil.  “As kids, we didn’t have a choice. We had to do it whether it meant we were missing out on some stuff or not. As an adult, you look back on it and realize you weren’t missing out on a whole lot.”

The two began running the farm from their father during the 2000’s and fully took over after the passing of their dad in 2015.

A New Phase

For Steve and Phil, keeping up with the times and making sure they can embrace their passion while turning a profit is important. They made the tough decision to move in a different direction with their farm and transitioned from a dairy farm to cash crops.

They began selling their cattle in August. Right now, there’s still a couple of cattle barns left as they continue the transition.

“Nothing happens overnight but we definitely have some more ideas of the direction we want to move the farm in,” said Steve.

As a part of this transition, the brothers began expanding the crops they grew this past year. In the fall, the two finished up harvesting corn, wheat, alfalfa, and soybeans.

The GreenStone Difference

This big transition to being crop only, means it’s even more important their crops are protected.

After working with GreenStone in the past to secure land and operational loans, the brothers wanted their crop insurance to come from the same place.

“We were working with GreenStone for years, so it made sense to do everything with GreenStone,” said Phil.

The two then worked with crop insurance specialist Jordan Schafer to come up with a coverage plan that works for their needs. It’s a relationship that was years in the making.

“The relationship formed over the years,” said Jordan. “I kept in touch with them over the past three to four years. I supplied them with information about different programs incorporated with crop insurance that could benefit them.”

Jordan used a program called Optimum for this analysis – a tool exclusive to the Farm Credit System crop insurance teams. Crop insurance specialists like Jordan enter information about a specific farm into the program and put the farm through different scenarios, like weather events. This helps customers learn about the best crop insurance plan options for their land.

Because of this tool, the brothers decided to get hail protection implemented into their plan because of issues they had in the past.

“With weather the way it is, we grow white wheat that is a little more touchy and we just wanted more protection,” said Steve. “There’s hail that comes through periodically so we are happy to have that coverage.”

Steve and Phil are happy to know that Jordan comes from a farming background and has their best interest in mind.

“Jordan has been really helpful in figuring out the level of coverage we need for our acreage,” said Steve. “He has been a really big help with our operation.”

“Jordan is a straight-shooter and tells us how it is and we appreciate that,” said Phil. “It helps that he has an agriculture background. He isn’t trying to sell us high in the sky, he’s down to earth and understands our operation.”

Family by Their Side

Although Steve and Phil are the brains behind the operation, they couldn’t do it without the help of their family.

Their nephew, Kevin, works alongside them. They hope, one day, he will be able to take the farm over when they decide to hang up their hats.

“The goal is to transition the farm over to the next generation,” said Phil.

Although Steve and Phil’s children aren’t employees of the family farm, they’re not afraid to come back and lend a hand.

“It works out. It’s give and take but we all have our jobs to do. Our kids will come back and help out when they get done with their main jobs,” said Steve. “They might not be full-time employees on the farm, but they come back and help out when needed.”

The Road Ahead

Over the next couple of years, the brothers hope to completely transition out of dairy and expand their fields.

One day, they want to have enough grain storage to be able to sell some crops on-site.

For now, the two will continue leaning on each other until the cows come home, or, find a new home.

“We’ve been able to keep it going during good and bad years, but the good always outweighs the bad,” said Steve.

“Some brothers don’t get along very well with each other, but we have made it work,” said Phil.

And Jordan will keep visiting the farm to help them keep those prized crops protected.

“It’s good of them to keep innovating everything on the farm and surrounding themselves with resources on their farm to help them take every step they can to succeed. I want to be that resource for them,” said Jordan.

 

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

When the deer season finally wraps up here in Michigan I’m about ready for a break. After more than three months of chasing deer, both in front of and behind the camera, I’ve had my fill of deer hunting for a while. However, as the snow starts to melt, I immediately start thinking about the upcoming deer season and what I can do now to help myself, and family members, be more successful going forward. I use this time of year to focus on scouting, habitat improvements, and tree stand maintenance.

Scouting

In my opinion, there’s no better time to scout than in late winter/early spring. Not only is deer sign clearly evident, but you also have a plethora of in season scouting knowledge still fresh on your mind. If you’ve noticed the deer on your property using a specific trail, or want to check out a certain bedding area, this is the time to investigate. Take your time, study the sign, take notes, and make sure you mark any locations you want to revisit. Marking locations, whether on one of the many hunting applications or on a physical map, is very important. This can be especially helpful later on when the weather warms up and the Michigan landscape begins to change.

Habitat Improvements

This is the time of year I do most of the habitat work on the properties I hunt. Whether that’s hinge cutting, trail maintenance, frost seeding, etc. this is the only time of the year where it really has no effect on your deer season if you spook the deer in your area. Feel free to head into a bedding area with a chainsaw in hand if there’s projects that need to be done. As an added bonus, it’s cooler and the threat of poison ivy is much lower than in the summer months! The amount of work needed can fluctuate from year to year, but it seems like there’s always something to do.

Tree Stand Maintenance

The winter months are a great time to inspect your existing tree stands and blinds to see if any components will need to be replaced. I will also use this time to loosen the straps on my stands/climbing sticks just slightly to keep them from growing into the tree and also remove any lifelines. Storing your lifelines indoors will greatly increase their longevity and it only takes a few minutes to remove them. Although I also may do some trimming this time of year, I save most of that work for the summer when I have a better idea of what the foliage will look like. I generally revisit these stands in early August to trim shooting lanes, reinsert lifelines, and tighten straps.

Deer hunting can be as involved as you want it to be. “Hunt Your Hunt” is an expression that is often used in the hunting world and I think that’s a perfect attitude for hunters to have. Some hunters simply show up to a piece of state land the day before the season opens and trust their knowledge and previous encounters to guide them through the season. Other hunters spend the entire year thinking about, and preparing for, the upcoming season. There’s nothing wrong with either approach. I personally enjoy everything that goes into preparing for a deer season about as much as I enjoy sitting in a tree stand. I have learned that putting in some extra work in the off season helps me and my family to be consistently successful when fall rolls around. It’s never too early to start thinking about the next deer season and the winter months are a great time to start preparing for it.

 

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

As of the writing of this article, GreenStone’s tax and accounting department is busy meeting with farmers across Michigan and northeast Wisconsin to help each customer manage taxable incomes and to support our farmers in making wise management decisions for current and future farming operations – reducing taxable income levels where it is possible and makes sense by buying equipment, prepaying for inputs, carrying over crops, or using other tax planning strategies available. It has been extremely busy this year with the commodity prices that most of our farmers were fortunate to experience!

When you are reading this article, we are now into 2023 and it is too late to buy inputs or equipment to reduce 2022 taxable income. However, there is another play that can still be run come income tax filing time this year – that is to utilize farm income averaging via the Schedule J Internal Revenue Service Form.

Our tax accountant experts anticipate the use of farm income averaging to increase this year – farm taxable income levels have been relatively strong the last year few years due to commodity prices and significant government aid. Many farmers have utilized accelerated depreciation methodologies such as Section 179 or bonus depreciation in the past few years to manage taxable income levels down.

After a few years of strong results, rising equipment borrowing rates, continued supply chain issues in the equipment market, and questions of potential increases in income tax rates in the future – it may feel like you are running out of rope and can no longer (or no longer want to) continue kicking income tax burdens down the road. Farm income averaging may assist you this year if you will be paying income tax.

What is farm income averaging?

It is a federal statute that allows farmers to spread a portion of their current year farming income equally over the three previous tax years. By averaging an income tax burden over several years, you can reduce the effects of both low and high taxable income years. This can be done using the aforementioned IRS form 1040 Schedule J.

How does it work?

Below is a simplified computation showing the impact of farm income averaging for a married filing jointly 1040 return. The example assumes that the farmer’s taxable income for 2022 is $323,800 and that 2021, 2020 and 2019 were all managed to $0. With this fact pattern if farm income tax averaging were not used, the farmer would have paid the following tax each year:

With the use of farm income averaging during the 2022 tax filing, a farmer could assign between $78,950 and $81,050 to 2019 through 2021 to soak up all of the 10% and 12% tax brackets for those years. When filing the 2022 tax return, you act like the farmer paid the respective tax for each year and add those taxes to the remaining amount taxed in 2022. This is how it would look in the simplified scenario:

As you can see, the effective tax rate drops from 20.2% to 11.5% via the utilization of income averaging. It results in permanent tax savings of $28,119.

What can you do?

The IRS has been friendly to farmers with this statute – it is flat out a great provision for farmers. This is something you should bring it up to your CPA or income tax professional this year to see if it is an option for your individual situation. The rules can be complicated and this article is a simplified example. However, you’ll want to at least ensure it is being considered when you complete this year’s income tax filings.

If you are interested in learning more about anything you read within this article, contact your CPA or a local GreenStone tax accountant. GreenStone offers a full array of tax and accounting services for farmers and other business owners, and we are ready to assist you with your income tax filing needs.

 

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

A vision for the West Michigan Research Station was set back in 2019, and thanks to the help of producers and donors in the community and across the state, the center broke ground in 2020.

It is now a part of Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) and is a place for growers to gather, get information and learn about the specific needs of plants and soil in Oceana, Mason, and Newaygo counties.

Inside the building, you will often find MSUE Educator Emily Lavely. Equipped with a research background in root and tree health, she was excited to join the team at the station – especially because West Michigan crops have different needs than others in the state. She wanted to get to the bottom of those specific needs and help area farmers grow the best crops possible.

This past season, more than 6,000 trees were planted at the station. That includes new apple varieties, sweet cherries, peach and pear trees. These trees will soon be evaluated to recommend new varieties, rootstocks, and growing practices that are best suited for the area.

“I feel incredibly privileged to be able to work with the growers here and have this resource here and have the support of the board,” said Emily. “It’s something I’m very thankful for and I look forward to continuing supporting growers for years to come.”

That support includes board president Andy Riley. A farmer himself, Andy was part of the group that came up with the vision for the station. He said he never expected the center to come together so quickly, but thanks the community for their unwavering support because most of the funding for the station comes from donors.

“The thing I tell people I’m the proudest of is when you walk in the front door, you can see the people and the organizations that got behind the project on display,” said Andy. “The success of the station depends on the support of the community staying engaged in the research station. The partnerships we have established – many people are annual donors.”

GreenStone is one of those partners. The cooperative is committed to going the extra acre for our members and the farming community, and that includes investing in horticulture research.

The station is proud of the community’s support, so in return, they are proud to serve the community. The center is for research purposes first but also serves as a community center. They have opened their doors for things like blood drives and celebrations, and even housed some court hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic when the county needed a larger area to spread out.

The future of farming depends on help from the community, knowing best practices, and sharing ideas. That is what is happening inside the doors of the West Michigan Research Station.

GreenStone is proud to be a part of this legacy.

 

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

When it comes to achieving measurable results toward sustaining human existence, what all humans need is food. If society cannot get food right, what else matters?

We can argue about all other things, and hold strong opinions about core values and issues, but at the end of the day, nutrition matters. Identifying the goal, taking measured action toward the goal with maintenance along the growth of the crop allows for real results.

There is a whole lot of detail and knowledge that allows for the successful outcome, and those details came from generations of learning. Getting beyond the books and doing the work makes a successful farmer.

With all that gets accomplished for the good of society by farmers, all that we rely on happening, the world of agriculture continues to evolve. Hybrid seed development, aeroponics, aquaponics, hydroponics, tissue culture, drones, robotics, and vertical farming are just a few of the sensible agricultural methods and technologies which are the future of food production. Constant progress is required and that comes from endless engagement with relentless action.

Learning to take reasonable chances outside a normal practice is one of the best skills anyone can develop. As a general group of professionals, farmers may be the most reasonable risk takers in business. As we know, the numbers of people in that profession are small in comparison, yet the risks they take each year are great. Those involved in agriculture know this to be true as it is a lived experience. Others read about it to get some appreciation for it. These others outside of actual production might even try to support it with “good” government policy and regulations, which farmers’ have experienced how that may or may not result in the intended support.

As agriculture leaders emerge and develop, the community must remain engaged and vocal. It will be our own voices that need be heard because of the lived experience we can share. To do this, we may need to be different than we have been in the past as the threats to being innovative become greater stifling growth. Just like sticking with what we know in agriculture production would ensure staying where we are in food production, so would sticking with were we are in how we communicate regarding our industry. To be innovative in production of food requires us to be innovative in how we communicate.

This will be particularly true as the policy leaders march toward embracing ideas coming from people who have not lived the experience of getting it done on the farm. We are on the eve of legislative leaders creating another Farm Bill. This Farm Bill and its accompanying regulations could dramatically effect how our food is grown. We need to evaluate both the little steps and big steps that must be taken to maintain agricultural sustainability to keep up with production demands.

Year after year, month after month, day after day, action has been taken by farmers and a complex network of support to get it done, delivered and digestible for others.

 

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

Your MI GreenStone PAC and WI Farm Credit PAC finished 2022 strong with meetings and checks being delivered to both Senate and House of Representative legislators and 2022 candidates. All the planned disbursements were completed in Michigan and Wisconsin! The meetings were productive as connections were made and the cooperative structure of borrower-owned lending association was communicated.

At the Federal level, the legislative activities have been very dynamic from ag labor to the Farm Bill. The Farm Credit System, through individual Farm Credit associations and the Farm Credit Council, has been able to provide prospective as called upon. None of this would be possible without your engagement and commitment to raise legislative awareness of rural communities, agriculture, GreenStone, and the Farm Credit System.

GreenStone will continue to build relationships for future support and strengthen the recognition of our members. Conversations will continue to take place in an effort to unite and expand our individual and collective legislative outreach efforts. The goal is to increase the awareness of the overall value of rural communities and the agriculture industry to our economies, and Farm Credit’s vital role in that. Your continued support is commended and we look forward to continuing to involve members in delivering these messages!

The MI GreenStone PAC and WI Farm Credit PAC annual drives are going on now! Be sure to send your voluntary Patronage pledge before January 31 to direct dollars from your Patronage check to the PAC; or you can make a direct contribution to the PAC at any time. Join hundreds of your fellow members in strengthening the recognition of agriculture as a key component to a thriving economy!

 

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

During the hot, humid summer months it’s easy to remember to keep your water bottle handy, but during the cold winter months, it’s an entirely different story. Experts say: make hydration a priority this winter, and your body will reward you.

Keep Your Water Bottle Full

Even a mild case of dehydration can lead to things like difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and even bad moods.

So, how much should you drink in a day? According to health experts, an average should be drinking about 3.7 liters and women should drink 2.7 liters.

Foods to Keep You Hydrated

It’s not just water that will help keep you hydrated.

Fruits like watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, and oranges are filled with water that can help keep you on track. For lunch, you may opt for a salad which can help, too. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and peppers all have high water content.

Technically, your warm cup of tea or afternoon soda also counts towards this hydration goal, but it’s recommended you stick to pure water as much as possible.

Your Skin Will Thank You

Have you ever experienced dryer and itchier skin during the frigid winter months in Michigan and Wisconsin? Chances are, that’s mostly due to dehydration.

You can put as much lotion and hand cream on as you want, but the truth is, it’s drinking water that’s going to help your dry skin the most.

Experts say people who drink the recommended amount of water each day are less likely to suffer from scars, wrinkles, and soft lines, too.

Keeping your skin healthy and beautiful is as simple as a few glasses of water.

Why am I dehydrated?

If the sun isn’t shining and you aren’t in high humidity, why exactly are you dehydrated during the winter?

Well, during this time, you’re probably wearing more clothing like heavy jackets. That clothing helps your body conserve heat, but it makes the body work between 10 and 40 percent harder. So, your body is producing more sweat and you’re losing more fluids.

In cold weather, we also lose more water through our respiratory system. When you can see your breath on a chilly winter day, that’s actually water vapor that your body is losing.

So, remember to make hydration a priority on your new year’s resolution list!

 

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

According to a Common Sense Census, the use of screen media is up 17% for tweens and teens from 2019 to 2021 – growing more than the previous four years prior (Common Sense Media, 2022).

Children between the ages of 8 and 12 are on their devices for an average of 5 hours and 33 minutes a day. Kids are spending almost 3 hours a day watching online videos, one and a half hours playing games and an hour browsing websites and on social media sites.

Your child may have recently opened a new tablet, mobile phone or even game console at Christmas. All these devices provide internet access to your child. While we trust our children, it is tough as a parent to know what your child is doing and who they might be communicating with online. With any online access there are risks, like accessing inappropriate content and bullying. Social media apps and websites also pose risks, predators might pose as children to get your child to provide personal information like their address or phone number.

As parents we must be aware of what our children are doing online and talk with them, letting them know what is appropriate to say to people they might meet online. I tell my children that information like their real name, address, and phone number is never information we provide people online. We only give that information to people that we know in real life (IRL). While this might seem overwhelming, there are free tools that go a long way in helping protect your child online and providing us parents peace of mind.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

In 1998 the federal government passed the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) (Federal Trade Commission, n.d.). This rule imposes requirements on website or online services that they must require parental consent for the collection or use of any personal information of children under 13 years of age. Sites like Microsoft and Google require parents to make a small payment to verify that you consent to your child using their service. COPPA provided parents with tools to help make sure they have explicit control over their child’s personal information.

Family Accounts / Sharing

A number of online services that we use provide families with the ability to create and manage accounts for their children and in some instances, families can even share the features of their subscription. Family accounts allow parents to create and manage the online accounts for their children. This provides parents the ability to set restrictions on what the child account can access; as an example, Apple offers family sharing. This allows parents to restrict applications, games, TV shows and movies based on the child’s age and even pose time restrictions on the device. Microsoft and Google both offer similar types of features that parents can take advantage of to help supervise what their children can do and see online. These types of restrictions even exist on video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu where parents can create specific child profiles that restrict their access to content that would otherwise have been inappropriate for them.

These features can be challenging to implement and frustrating for parents, and typically not well received by our children. Some parents have instead decided to move the family computer into a room where they are able to see what their child is doing online; however, this has become harder because kids are accessing the internet from the devices they keep in their pocket or room.

Taking advantage of some of the services and account management tools available help provide parents with a peace of mind knowing that they are doing everything in their power to protect their child. With the amount of time our children are spending online, you want to make sure that they are safe.

References

• Common Sense Media. (2022, March 9th). The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens, 2021. Retrieved from www.commonsensemedia.org
• Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (“COPPA”). Retrieved from www.ftc.gov/legal-library

 

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

We all have room to learn and grow, and it’s part of GreenStone’s mission to provide opportunities for both new and experienced customers to do just that.

Whether you’re getting ready to build your dream home, are working long hours on the logger, or are helping feed the globe through your crops, we know it can be difficult to keep up with industry changes, regulations, and new methods to increase efficiency. That’s why we are proud to provide opportunities throughout the year to help you network, learn new tricks of the trade, and become an expert in your field.

Let us do the research for you, and throughout our forums and conference, we will share important information that can help you become the best at your field you can be.

It’s Time to Connect

Each year, hundreds of growers from across the great lakes gather in Mount Pleasant, Michigan for the Great Lakes Crop Summit. The two-day event provides attendees the opportunity to learn more about the market, find out new techniques to take home to their farm and meet other growers across the area. If you are among this crowd, join GreenStone for a meal and drinks at our Connect Reception at the conference on January 25. It’s our thank you for being part of the GreenStone family.

If you’re a dairy farmer, we hope to see you at the Great Lakes Dairy Conference from February 2nd-3rd in Mount Pleasant. The conference includes sessions on employee management, calf care, manure management, and the state of the industry. GreenStone will also offer a Connect Reception during the conference for our members to network. Come enjoy food and drinks with us!

Focused Forum Fun

Knowing the state of your industry is important, and GreenStone offers plenty of opportunities to learn through our annual forums. We bring together a team of experts from each field to make sure you’re in-the-know about regulation changes, industry techniques and new inventions to make your job easier. Each set of educational opportunities are being held throughout Michigan and northeast Wisconsin to meet you where you are.

Producer Forums: Farmers need every tactic to protect your crops and most effectively run your farm. You’re invited to join us for Producer Forums this January and February. Members will learn more about farm financing, insurance options, tax and accounting advice, and the best methods for bookkeeping. You won’t have to drive far! Five forums will be held in Michigan’s Lenawee, Sanilac, Ionia, and Isabella counties, along with Outagamie County in Wisconsin. Check out our calendar of events on page 15 for full dates and locations!

Construction Seminars: GreenStone wants to help make your dream home in rural America a reality. That’s why, each year, we host a number of Construction Seminars in February and early March to share valuable information on construction financing. Our local teams provide expert insight on financing options and the construction draw process for your next big project, and provide advice on finding the best builder for your needs and tips for the entire project start to finish. In person and virtual sessions will be available to fit your individual schedule. Find all the details and register online at greenstonefcs.com.

Timber Forums: For our members who have sawdust in their blood, we are glad to provide these opportunities to learn more about financing, bookkeeping, legislative updates and the state of the timber industry at GreenStone’s Timber Forums in March. Check our calendar of events on page 15 for this year’s dates and locations.

DRP Forums: Another way GreenStone is helping the dairy industry is through our Dairy Revenue Protection Forums also being held in March. We understand that the industry changes from year to year, and we are happy to provide this opportunity for members while also providing advice on bookkeeping and dairy financing. Watch for invitations and find out more on our website, greenstonefcs.com.

Fueling the Future with Knowledge

We know the only way to keep food on the table across the globe is to invest in young, beginning, and small farmers. GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth program exists for that exact reason.

Young, beginning, and small farmers will join us in March for our first ever CultivateGrowth Conference. Members will learn valuable information to expand their business knowledge, manage balance sheets, create business plans, tackling the financial side of things and learning the best bookkeeping tricks. Most importantly – this is an opportunity to network and learn from other farmers who face similar challenges and experiences across Michigan and Wisconsin.

We are here to help your farm and passion grow, and we are happy to provide this important resource.

We’re Here For You

Your success is our success, and we are proud to provide a number of opportunities each year to help take your business, farm, and home to the next level.

If you are interested in joining us for a conference, forum or event, reach out to your local branch for details.

 

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

GreenStone is proud to announce the appointment of three talented teammates to lead sales and customer relations for the cooperative. In the revised organizational model, a senior vice president will oversee each of the cooperative’s market segments: capital markets, agribusiness lending, and local agricultural and country living lending. This alignment will help give each segment the expert attention needed to help customers thrive. We believe this makes GreenStone best equipped to serve our customers.

We are proud to announce the appointments of Nichole Wilcox, Ben Spitzley, and Melissa Humphrey as Senior Vice Presidents for Capital Markets, Agribusiness Lending, and Regional Sales.

These individuals will report to Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Ian McGonigal, who is excited about this new model.

“As a growing company, we need to have a robust sales leadership structure that prepares GreenStone for the future,” said McGonigal. “Our executive team believes this new model will ensure efficiency and continued success. Nichole, Ben and Melissa are all very talented leaders who will ensure GreenStone is serving the needs of the marketplace with expertise in their respective loan segments, as well as continuing to provide outstanding value and customer service to all clients.”

 

Nichole Wilcox: Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Capital Markets

Nichole Wilcox brings sixteen years of GreenStone experience as the new Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Capital Markets. For the past six years, Nichole served as a Vice President of Lending and most recently as a Group Manager within our agribusiness lending segment. Before that, she served in roles at GreenStone including Credit Analyst, Lending Officer and Assistant Vice President of Capital Markets and Credit.

Nichole brings a wealth of well-rounded knowledge from several different segments, and is no stranger to capital markets. Her experience in this segment will benefit the diverse relationships across the nation and will help strengthen the overall team.

Ben Spitzley: Senior Vice President of Agribusiness Lending

Ben Spitzley has been a part of the GreenStone team since 2002. Most recently, Ben served as the Vice President and Group Manager of Agribusiness Lending – a role he assumed in 2012. During his decade in the role, he successfully oversaw a team serving dairy farms and related agribusinesses throughout GreenStone’s territory.

Before serving in that position, Ben held various roles within the company and brings a wide range of sales and leadership experience to the table.

Melissa Humphrey: Senior Vice President of Regional Sales

For nearly two decades, Melissa Humphrey has served GreenStone customers, first as a Credit Trainee and then Financial Services Officer and, most recently, as the Regional Vice President of Sales and Customer Relations focused on GreenStone’s western territory. Now, she is taking a step forward and has accepted the role of Senior Vice President of Regional Sales.

In addition to her full-time roles, Melissa has co-led the country living segment for GreenStone. The segment saw impressive results during her tenure.  Melissa’s expertise in leading a number of different teams at GreenStone will help make our solid sales team even stronger, which in turn, will benefit our existing and future customers.

Nichole, Ben, and Melissa will work closely together to bring a team focus, specialized to each market segment. GreenStone is excited about this new step to help ensure the cooperative delivers excellence in our products and services to best serve our customers.

About GreenStone Farm Credit Services

GreenStone Farm Credit Services, based in East Lansing, Michigan, is Michigan and northeast Wisconsin’s largest agricultural lender and one of the country’s largest associations in the Farm Credit System. A member-owned cooperative, GreenStone owns and manages over $12 billion in assets and serves 28,000 members with 35 locations in Michigan and northeast Wisconsin. More information about GreenStone can be found at www.greenstonefcs.com.