In this behind the scenes, two GreenStone employees from the appraisal team speak about how their daily work supports customers and improves the overall customer experience.
Shane Kenner
23 years of service
Senior Appraiser
Adrian, MI
What advancements has GreenStone made to better serve their customers?
The appraisal is an important part of the loan process and GreenStone has implemented some significant advances regarding how appraisals are ordered and submitted. This process change was one of the most significant I have seen during my tenure. It has streamlined the appraisal process by providing an easy user interface for the staff ordering the appraisal and the appraiser, making the process faster and providing the convenience for the appraiser to access to all information online. Additionally, this allows for easier appraisal tracking and overall data analysis.
What was the significance of the land value benchmark project?
The land value benchmark process was implemented to track market trends of farmland prices. Early in the annual process, appraisal staff would appraise an actual farm each year to see what value change had occurred. Today we appraise a “virtual farm” as well as transitional land, or land in areas of non-farm influence. The process has become more important in the past fifteen years as we have seen more significant land value changes. Benchmarking allows GreenStone to effectively track land values by region, aiding in customer buying decisions and general lending evaluation. The benchmark process allows GreenStone to rely upon appraisal values for a longer period, saving the customer money in the long run as a new appraisal does not to be ordered and paid for every time a loan is requested.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I really love getting out and meeting our borrowers in person. The southeast appraisal team covers 13 different counties, and I am often called to work in any of them. This has led me to several small rural communities throughout the region. I’m convinced that we have the best borrowers of any lending institution, as I’ve met an unbelievable number of enjoyable people though this job. I’ve appreciated how down to earth and genuinely nice everyone has been and have had some wonderful conversations over the years meeting farmers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives alike.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy most spending time with my 2-year-old son and my wife. My wife and I also enjoy visiting wineries around Michigan when we have time, especially one of the local borrower–owned establishments. I’m also quite a “car guy” – I’m one of the few appraisers in the department you’ll see driving a sporty sedan instead of a pickup truck. A good amount of my time, however, has been spent improving our 150-year-old farmhouse.
Lyndsy Bock
15 years of service
Senior Appraiser
Mount Pleasant, MI
What advancements has GreenStone made to better serve their customers?
We have implemented different projects to shorten the time it takes to complete appraisals. In addition, we have added programs that have led to faster writing and streamlined our report requirements. Our department has doubled in size in the last decade, allowing us to focus on quality appraisals with less wait for the reports to be delivered to the credit staff, ultimately benefiting our customers and their timeline.
GreenStone is committed to evolving technology. Our department has access to new technology that enables us to be more efficient, from office equipment to tools for use on inspection sites. When I started, we were still using digital cameras. Now we do it all from our smart phones, which also provides us access to anything we might need on our computer in the office from our phones. It’s nice to look up information onsite when meeting with customers.
What was the significance of the land value benchmark?
The benchmark is a type of valuation that is based on the appraisal department’s study of annual market changes. The study applies year over year benchmark changes to an appraisal of properties. Using the benchmark study for valuations allows for appraisals to have a longer shelf life for credit decisions. Ultimately, it helps shorted the time from application to closing the loan. If a loan meets the criteria using the benchmark study, it eliminates the need to have another appraisal completed, and saves the customer money on an appraisal and quickens the closing process!
What do you enjoy about your role?
Every day is a new project! The appraisal requests I complete can be anywhere from a vacant 40-acre recreational tract to a 3,500-cow dairy facility. I have met some incredibly smart and interesting people over the years doing inspections. We have the most incredible customers that are always happy to answer the “whys” and “what do you thinks” I typically ask. These are their family farms, or their startups, or their dream retirement properties that they have poured their lives into. Our customers have been more than generous with their life lessons, advice, and knowledge over the years. There is always something to be learned.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My husband and I also have a small cash crop operation outside of our day jobs, and two boys. Between them, their sports, and our farm, I am not sure about too much free time. However, when we do have free time, we are camping in the summer, snowmobiling in the winter, or just enjoying a quiet night at home.
To view the article in the online 2021 Fall Partners Magazine, click here.
Jeremiah Mostrom lived in Richmond, Texas when he found a job in West Michigan with the human resource services firm Axios HR. Originally from Minnesota, he was attracted to the idea of the opportunity to buy land, have space, and form a family connection to a piece of the country.
Jeremiah, his wife Carrie, and their daughter Sadie closed on a house on five aces in Alto, Michigan. There were 30 acres adjacent to the land, but the owners weren’t quite ready to sell.
However, the day the Mostroms closed on the house, the owners put it up for sale. It was a chaotic time for them; they were in the middle of a move, still owned a house in Texas, and weren’t expecting the opportunity.
“Our realtor said – get ahold of Cameron Bongard right now. I did, and we closed the loan in 19 days. It was seamless,” Jeremiah said. ”Cameron was fast, easy to work with, and just like that – we had the land we had dreamed of owning.”
Jeremiah enjoyed dealing with Cameron, who is a financial services officer for GreenStone, in part because of his communication skills.
“He did a great job of understanding what we needed,” Jeremiah said. “His communication was great, and I was never left wondering what was going on. No hidden fees, very straightforward process, and with the co-op you even get money back from the Patronage Program.”
Not only did they have a good working relationship, but they also had a good personal one.
“Cameron knew it was a super cool opportunity for us to purchase this land, and he really, truly wanted to see it happen, and he made it happen,” Jeremiah said. “He also is a hunter, and he lives in my area, and all of it made it easy to work with him.”
Cameron also enjoyed the process with the Mostrom family.
“Jeremiah was so great to work with, because whenever I needed anything, he had it within the hour… and he was still in Texas,” said Cameron. “We also connected on a personal note, because recreational or vacant land loans are my favorite things to do as a lender. It’s the perfect scenario to walk out your door and have your own acres, and I’m happy we could help make that happen.”
Increasing the beauty
The Mostroms immediately began beautifying their recently-purchased land.
Their road is part of the State of Michigan’s Natural Beauty Roads program, which preserves roads in an undisturbed condition. As part of their plan, Carrie enrolled in MSU Extension master gardener class, they planted a few gardens on their property, and Jeremiah bought a tractor.
“I was riding along in my tractor, and I was pinching myself, like – am I alive?” Jeremiah said. “This has been our dream, and here I am brush cutting trails on my land. This is exactly what I wanted.”
The property has grapevines and apple trees, as well as an 1850 barn they’re restoring. For this big project, they’re currently working with the Michigan Barn Preservation Network.
“Our intention is to keep the land how it is, and pass it down,” he said.
Sadie’s Sunset Farm
One of the most exciting opportunities for the Mostroms was the chance for their daughter, Sadie, to start her own business. Out of her own garden, she grows fresh produce, like sweet corn, carrots, zucchini, beans, tomatoes, chili peppers, and herbs, and then she sells them from a roadside stand on their property. She plans on expanding her offerings to pastured meats and more products, and her parents are helping her along the way.
“We love that our daughter is learning to be an entrepreneur, the importance of agriculture in our communities, and that we’re able to do that here,” Jeremiah said.
Enjoying the land
Not only do they have a small business, but they also love having the land for recreational purposes. Jeremiah particularly enjoys hunting on his land, as he’s been a hunter his whole life.
“There are really a lot of beautiful deer out here, and I’ve planted a whitetail habitat with food plots and bedding areas to help supplement the already-healthy herd,” he said. “It’s such a big blessing to be able to walk outside your door to go hunt, instead of driving six hours to get to land you lease in Texas…and worry about poisonous snakes and spiders.”
Not only has he hunted with his family members, but he also likes the camaraderie of hunting with friends.
“My neighbors and I are planning on getting the kids together, setting up some old campers away from the houses, and having a deer camp during the youth hunt,” he said. “We just want to do something special in honor of that time of year.”
The Mostroms definitely feel they have the connection to the land they were originally seeking.
“We want to keep the land beautiful the way it already is, hike, hunt, grow food, and just enjoy West Michigan,” he said. “We’re so excited to have this place for all of us to connect with the land.”
To view the article in the online 2021 Fall Partners Magazine, click here.
This past spring, GreenStone members elected Michael Feight to the cooperative’s Board of Directors. With decades of a diverse farming background, a father’s footsteps to follow, and the experience of financing in the 80s all a part of his foundation, Michael shares a bit more about his farm and perspective of being the newest member on GreenStone’s Board of Directors. Be sure to watch his video bio for an inside view!
Michael’s Perspective
When I received the call from the nominating committee representative to consider running for a GreenStone board position, I can say the I was completely surprised and honored to be considered. We all have times and occurrences in our lives that seem to happen when you are not looking in that direction at all, but after many trips across the field in auto mode, you realize that those occurrences can be unforeseen opportunities. For me, it was one on of those times when I realized it was a good fit for where I am in life. So, with the support of the voters of Region Three, I was elected to the board of directors for GreenStone this past spring.
I farm with my father Fred and brother Doug in Tecumseh, Michigan, located in Lenawee County. In 2018 we sold our dairy herd and now focus on cash crops. We have 2,500 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat. In addition, we’ve also diversified and grow 60 acres of carrots for Campbell’s Soup.
The farm was started by my great grandfather and his brothers who came over from Ireland and began farming in 1870. The farm was unable to survive the Depression of the 1930’s, but my father was gradually able to reacquire the land to continue farming.
It is hard to describe all the uniqueness that being involved in the business of agriculture has to offer. Dealing with land and nature touches one in a way that few occupations have to offer. At the same time, we must be well aware of the business aspect of farming because in the end, in order to keep doing what we love, it has to be a viable way of making a living. This is where having the understanding and integrity of GreenStone gives those in the production of food and grain the financial stability that is needed.
In my first few months of getting oriented onto the board and becoming even more acquainted with GreenStone, there were two things in particular that surprised me about the organization. One being the scope of lending that the cooperative handles – from the family farm operation like mine to the large food and timber companies. The second thing was the outside regulatory process and guidelines that GreenStone has to abide by. Like any business, there’s much more behind the scenes than anyone realizes; the awareness I have gained recently gives me even more appreciation for the organization I now serve.
I would like to thank all the board members and staff of GreenStone for making me feel welcome as the newest board member. I look forward to working with everyone!
To view the article in the online 2021 Fall Partners Magazine, click here.
It’s that time of year again, school is well underway and we’re about to start looking forward to the holidays. Whether your child is back in the classroom or taking advantage of remote learning opportunities, chances are their technology and internet use is ongoing. This is a great time of year to review your home network settings, making sure you and your family are secure while online.
According to a recent survey, the average household has over 10 devices connected to their home network. In my home, I’d guess we have no less than 60 devices connected to the internet – Smart TVs, game consoles, computers, tablets, phones, and IoT-connected devices like smart light bulbs and plugs. A recent Gartner study confirmed, that number will only continue to grow for most households. They predict that by 2021 there will be 25 billion IoT-connected devices worldwide.
What is a home router?
If you ask anyone in my household, they will tell you that the router is the most important device in the house. If the internet goes down, one of my children will be quick to let me know that they just lost their current game of Fortnite or ROBLOX. The router is the hub of your home network. All our home devices connect through the router to access the internet – it’s the middleman between the internet modem and your devices, and provides the Wi-Fi to connect wirelessly. It is also the device that helps protect all the devices from the bad guys on the internet. Without a router, any device connected directly to your cable or DSL modem might be exposed directly to the internet.
Fear not, all is not lost – here are some tips that can make sure your home network is secure:
Secure your Wi-Fi, NOW!
Users today purchase a home router to make sure that they have wireless internet access throughout their home. Because these routers are broadcasting wireless information, they make an easy target for someone to attack if the bad guys are within range of your wireless network. If the bad guys can access your home network, they might see your internet activity, including usernames and passwords.
Change the Service Set Identifier (SSID) from the default name to something unique. Most manufacturers use the same SSID for all models of their home routers. By keeping the SSID the default, you are exposing the make and model of your home router to the bad guys, they could use this information to get the default username and passwords to your router or use that information to determine if any vulnerabilities could be exploited.
Change the password when you purchase a router. The first thing you should do is make sure that you update the default password. If you have read previous Tech Tips in our Partners magazine, you know you should use a strong password that comprises at leave 15 characters. The password should be unique to this device and, for extra points, store these passwords in a password manager. Changing this password will make sure that bad guys cannot access the administrator settings for your router.
Make sure that WPA is enabled. This makes certain that information going from Wi-Fi devices inside your network to your router is secured. You can easily determine if your home network is secured today because there will be a lock icon by the SSID name and when you connect to that Wi-Fi, it will prompt you to enter a password. At a minimum, if all your devices support it, make sure your Wi-Fi security is configured for WPA2. However, newer routers might offer support for WPA3 security, which offers additional security benefits.
Update the passphrase once you configure the WPA setting. Make sure that you are updating the default passphrase to a strong, unique passphrase. The passphrase is used for your devices to establish a connection and access your home network.
Update the software of your router sometimes known are firmware, just like you update your mobile devices or home computer. Your router also needs to be updated. These updates typically provide fixes for recently discovered security vulnerabilities as well as fixes to software issues. Make sure you are using a device that is connected to the router using a wired connection before you attempt to upgrade the firmware.
Enable additional security settings available for your router if available, newer routers have very robust easy-to-configure firewalls that provide additional protection to what may access devices inside your network.
The average household has never been more reliant on its home network – hopefully, these tips will provide you with additional peace of mind that your home network is secure!
To view the article in the online 2021 Fall Partners Magazine, click here.
In this behind the scenes, two GreenStone employees from the GreenStone Service Desk team speak about how their daily work supports customers and improves the overall customer experience.
Nikolas Vorias
2 years of service
Service Desk Specialist
East Lansing, MI
How have GreenStone’s technical tools allowed us to support our customers?
GreenStone’s technical tools have allowed us to set up employees to be able to work from home, onsite with the customer, or anywhere and still be able to assist our customers. Our My Access portal, online banking, and mobile app play a huge role in providing our customers with convenient servicing options. These different applications allow our customers to exchange documents and make payments, along with other things, without having to visit their local branch.
What advancements has GreenStone made to better serve customers?
I would say the biggest advancement would have to be the way we are communicating while some staff work in office and others work remote. Also, providing the best technology to make it possible to continue to support our customers regardless of the requirements we had to close our branches. We are always looking for ways to improve so that we can provide our customers with the best experience possible.
Describe how your role carries out the GreenStone mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture.
As a Service Desk Specialist at GreenStone, my role involves working with our customers directly when they are having an issue with one of their accounts or simply answering any questions they have. We also support our fellow employees to make sure they are up and running so they can continue assisting our customers.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy working directly with our customers and our employees on a day to day basis. Being on the service desk allows me to help customers with their My Access account or online banking accounts, which helps the customer gain access to the resources they need. I also really enjoy being faced with different issues everyday and working through them.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I really enjoy fishing and hiking in my free time. This past year I was fortunate enough to visit Rocky Mountain National Park and while there I was able to catch my first brook trout using a fly rod!
Josh Martin
11 years of service
Service Desk Manager
East Lansing, MI
How has GreenStone’s technical tools allowed us to support our customers?
The tools we use give us the ability to be very efficient with our customers and getting their needs fulfilled as quickly as possible. By always looking into ways to improve our tools, we stay at the top of the game in providing service to customers.
What advancements has GreenStone made to better serve customers?
Our My Access customer portal has given us more ways than ever to communicate and work with our customers, giving them an efficient and user-friendly platform that helps them keep their finances in order. Likewise, our service desk team has matured in our operations to more easily help our customers and ensure they have the tools they need to succeed.
Describe how your role carries out the GreenStone mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture.
The service desk is there as the first line of support to help our customers in any way we can. Agriculture is a lifeblood of our region and knowing we are able to help the industry grow is very rewarding.
What do you enjoy about your role?
Being responsible for our customer service to not only our staff, but to our customers as well, gives me a great sense of pride. We strive to provide the best customer experience our customers have gotten; being a part of that is great.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy camping and hiking with my family, home brewing, and running all of the technical components at my church.
To view the article in the online 2021 Summer Partners Magazine, click here.
“20 years of bringing the best to members”
Life and disability insurance is a critical risk management component to consider with every farm operation. Evaluating the type of insurance, its uses, and the correct amount can mean the difference between success and foreclosure. No one understands the importance of planning better than a farmer. It’s the attention you give your soil, your crops, and your livestock that produces a successful tomorrow. Careful planning is the key to your family’s future too. Life and Disability insurance will provide a monetary benefit to your family if you are no longer living or able to perform the farm duties.
After many years of bringing Minnesota Life’s “Credit Life” to our members, GreenStone recognized the customer desires. FCS wanted to expand their members’ options for Life and Disability coverage to include products available from the entire marketplace. This was to ensure GreenStone members were receiving the very best in pricing, guarantees, and benefits.
The old saying “A jack of all trades and a master of none” has never been a trait of GreenStone. With the goal of providing a depth of knowledge and experience through another risk management tool, GreenStone partnered to create FCS LifeExpress. With the amount of knowledge it takes to navigate the life insurance industry, and all the evolving products, GreenStone knew partnering with experts is what members deserve. So twenty years ago, AgriBank, along with the Farm Credit associations and First Resource Group created FCS LifeExpress. FCS LifeExpress is a resource-based service for members to review the insurance marketplace to find the best options for each individual.
Best Pricing, Best Guarantees and Best Benefits tailored to each individual on an easy to read chart, gives members the very best options in the marketplace to review in the privacy of their own home. No pressure… Just the facts in an easy to understand format!
Expanded products portfolio to target your exact needs:
Term Life Insurance
- Least costly
- Can renew to age 95
- Can convert to Permanent coverage
- Term periods from 10 to 40 years
- Fixed Premium Guarantees
- Optional Return of Premium feature
- Permanent Life Insurance
- Survivorship Life– Perfect for Farm Transition or Family Equalization
- Whole Life– Guaranteed Permanent Death Benefit
- Can convert with Guaranteed Level Premiums.
- Disability Coverage
- Short term or Long-term coverage
- Optional Return of Premium Feature
- Farm/Business Overhead
- Expense coverage
- Customized coverage for your operation
- Long Term Care Coverage
- Traditional Stand-alone LTC coverage
- Life Linked LTC coverage – Pre use your Life insurance death benefit to fund LTC expense and/or Life insurance death benefit to pass to beneficiaries.
Besides providing the best priced life insurance to cover debt or to replace income for the family, FCS LifeExpress is ready to work with customers and their trusted team of accountants or attorneys to design funding for the long term operational succession, optimal farm transition, and life risk management.
At FCS LifeExpress, our goal is simple: To be the best resource to help members eliminate risk for their families and their farm operation.
To view the article in the online 2021 Summer Partners Magazine, click here.
When Jeff Alexander took over his dad’s farm in 1993, his family had already established a relationship with GreenStone as a lender. Along with the financing partnership, he then began working with Tax Accountant Sue Smith in the Adrian branch on tax planning services right away.
“Sue was new at GreenStone, and we were new to running the business, and so we learned together. She and her husband were getting started in farming too, and I just thought it was such a good fit, since she knew exactly where we were coming from when it came to showing us different ways to save on taxes,” Alexander said.
Jeff and his wife Julie meet with Sue a few times a year to plan their tax strategy. She helps them decide if they should pay for items ahead, or defer a payment, and they go over all their finances before the end of the year.
Sue also helped the family transfer their land into PA-116, which preserves the land for agricultural use while also reducing the amount of property taxes.
“Sue helped us navigate through PA-116 and held our hands through the process,” Alexander said. “Sue has been great about showing us what tax benefits we qualify for, and enrolling us in PA-116 helps us save money.”
Building a farm
Larry Alexander, Jeff’s dad, farmed in Hanover, Michigan, but he sold it and moved the family to Florida in 1976. After 11 months, Larry and Jeff both missed the farm. So at 15, Jeff moved back to Michigan and began farming anew with his dad on Na-Lar Farms.
On the dairy and crop farm, Jeff had his area of focus.
“I started taking care of the cows, and I wanted a registered herd in the worst way,” he said.
Over the years and generations, Jeff built up the genetics of his herd. He credits Doug Long of Longhaven Farms and Dr. Richard Fish of Countryside Veterinary Service with mentoring him through the process.
“I was infatuated with genetics, and above all others, Doug Long let me pick his brain,” he said. “Dr. Fish was also instrumental in helping me, and I probably learned more from him than any man on earth.”
Jeff’s farm won the Progressive Breeders’ Registry award over 20 times. This prestigious award is given to herds that are 80% homebred with minimum requirements for milk production.
Transition
In 2013, the farm installed robots to milk their cows, which gave Jeff the ability to attend more events with Julie. After some employee changes in 2018, Jeff decided to sell the cows and concentrate on crop farming.
Currently, they farm 1600 acres of corn, beans, hay, and wheat. They recently purchased a second baler (Silage Special) designed to bale wet hay, and they also purchased a wet wrapper. They individually wrap and seal each round bale.
Once again, Jeff benefited from GreenStone’s tax services during his transition from dairy to crop farming.
“One main factor was to minimize tax complications and liability,” tax accountant Sue Smith said. “I wanted to make sure that he didn’t have to pay more taxes than necessary when he was selling cows and dairy equipment. Also, I worked with him to make sure he was structured to be successful on the crop side of farming, just like he was successful on the dairy side of it.”
Jeff’s wife Julie is a state representative in her third and final term. They have four adult children, Adam, Andrew, Jared, and Anna. Adam farms full-time with his dad. He’s the main mechanic, and he also does the planting and combining. The boys all have F endorsement licenses so they can haul grain when needed, and this fall Anna is getting married. She and her fiancé’s family just bought their own 400-acre farm.
“She’s marrying the milk man,” Jeff said. “We’re throwing up a big tent and having the wedding reception right in their newly purchased field.”
Jeff is enjoying the reduced stress that comes with crop farming.
“After 40 years of milking cows, everything comes easy after that,” he said. “Adam does a great job with the equipment, we keep the machines maintained, and we’re working only 50-60 hours a week instead of 100. I joke that now my main job is a trophy husband.”
Trust
Alexander considers the level of trust to be an important one when considering who to work with on his taxes and finances.
“We’ve never had anyone other than Sue do our taxes, because there’s just that trust,” Alexander said. “You’re talking about someone’s livelihood. Some years you’re worrying in there when things aren’t going well, and some years you’re smiling from ear to ear when things are going well. You have to trust someone to go through all of that with them.”
Jeff started with GreenStone, and he plans to finish his farming career with them.
“My dad is 85 now, and he still does his taxes with Sue. He likes her. It’s easy – she’s such a pleasant person, and she’s really good at teaching us what we need to do. There’s never been a moment when we thought we should be with someone else. Anytime anyone asks us about taxes, we say go see Sue,” he said.
Farming is a business where cutting costs is always a concern, but in some areas there’s no argument.
“It’s always good to shop around for the best rates on everything, but not our tax accountant. There’s no other option for me. She’s the one,” Jeff said.
To view the article in the online 2021 Summer Partners Magazine, click here.
Jed Welder is the owner and operator of Trinity Farms in Greenville, Michigan, where he raises corn and soybeans on 800 acres, along with several acres of hops. Before he embarked on a career as a farmer, Jed served as an officer in the United States Army for more than 10 years, with tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia, serving as an armor officer.
“I served with some of the greatest men and women in the world,” said Jed regarding his time in the military. In 2008, he and his wife made the decision to transition from Army life to farm life. They returned to Michigan to start a family and their farm. “We loved moving to the country and enjoyed the challenges of learning this new profession,” says Jed. As they learned, the Welders quickly realized they would need access to land and capital in order to make their dreams of farming a reality.
Jed knew that local farming communities are like the military – a close-knit group. Jed got to know some farmers in the area, and sought their advice on getting started. Several recommended the local Farm Credit explaining that many of their local banks were unable, for one reason or another, to provide operating loans to farmers. Heeding their guidance, Jed prepared a business plan and made an appointment with a loan officer at his local GreenStone branch. “They understood what I wanted to do and what I needed to run my operation. They made good, solid recommendations, and over time became a trusted partner.”
As Trinity Farms has grown, GreenStone has been a partner along the way. This past summer, he financed the construction of a grain drying and storage system. “My loan officer came out to see the progress and talk with me about it,” said Jed. Besides the personal, individualized service, Jed feels one of the greatest benefits of working with GreenStone is having a partner who understands his business. “Their office is twenty minutes away; they know how the crops in our area look and what the prospects for harvest are because they are in the business of working with farmers.”
With challenging times on the horizon for much of the agricultural industry, Jed recognizes the importance of working with a lender like GreenStone, who not only understands the market cycles, but will be there to support rural communities and agriculture in good years and in challenging years as well. “Right now we are planting corn and soybeans with prices very near break-even. There is an exciting revolution in precision agriculture and technology that will help us be more efficient, but at the same time the cost of farming increases every year,” said Jed. “Having a lender that works with me, that knows my farm and the challenges I face, is more important than ever.”
After years of serving his country in the Army, Jed and his family serve again, this time through the hard work and dedication that is required of the farmers who provide the world with food and fuel.
GreenStone thanks Jed and all veteran farmers like him, for their service to our country and their commitment to our rural communities.
As a GreenStone customer…
1. We promise to offer you personalized service.
2. We promise immediate responses to all your requests.
3. We promise honest, fair and impartial treatment.
4. We promise confidential treatment of all information.
5. We promise to provide you accurate information and advice.
Known as our Customer “Bill of Rights,” these five represent the commitment we make to our cooperative members.
1. Personal service – We understand no two farms, businesses or households are alike, and each deserves personal attention. We will work to develop a mutually beneficial relationship with all members, one based on respect, trust and open communication.
2. Immediate responses to all requests – Our staff embrace our Core Four Values, including putting the customer first by being responsive and building relationship with customers beyond the transaction.
3. Honest, fair and impartial treatment – We treat all customers fairly and honestly while appreciating their individuality and adhering to our thorough and regulated processes. It is our commitment to work with customers to provide the most viable and sustainable solutions for their individual circumstances.
4. Confidential treatment of all information – Our commitment to all customers is to treat member information and affiliation with GreenStone confidentially. All financial institutions, including GreenStone, are obligated by law to record certain information as a matter of public record. Beyond what is required, we will never release the names of our customers or comment on the relationship we have with individuals without prior consent.
5. Accurate information and advice – Our staff are engaged in the industries of their customers and bring their experience and education to the customers they serve. Together, we seek out the best solutions for our customers based on individual service, an unbiased perspective and sound financial metrics.
Confidentiality
GreenStone values our customer relationships, and we want you to feel comfortable and knowledgeable with how GreenStone handles your loans and information. A trusted relationship with our customers requires open and transparent communication. Member privacy – as outlined in #4 of our Customer Bill of Rights – is extremely important and can be questioned with the amount solicitations, spam and phishing attempts on us all each day. We want you to know we hold your financial and personal information in strict confidence.
Though we keep your information confidential, some customers who may have recently conducted business with us have received solicitations in the mail or email impersonating GreenStone and referencing personal and financial information related to their loan with GreenStone. Naturally, this raises questions on the authenticity of the mailer, as well as the confidentiality of our customer’s information.
As explained on page 49 in our Tech Tip, this is one of many types of “spam” targeted at securing your dollars or additional personal information. Using the information required by law to be filed publicly some companies compile public data – primarily register of deeds recordings – and mass mail, or email, solicitations using as much personal information as possible to get you to believe it is legitimate or that you need to take action.
Public Record
Because some information is required by law to be publicly filed, we want to make sure you are aware. All financial institutions, including GreenStone, are obligated to record with the Register of Deeds certain information as a matter of public record when a mortgage loan is written. These public records typically identify the borrower’s name, the lender, and possibly the original loan amount. In addition, public property records can also include:
- Ownership history
- Property maps
- Record of sales listings
- Historical tax assessments
- Assessed property value
- Property square footage and the number of rooms in a dwelling
You can be absolutely confident if you receive a solicitation from another lender to refinance your GreenStone mortgage, the lender who sent it did not receive any information from GreenStone about you or your loan.
Our commitment to your right of privacy is part of our Customer Bill of Rights as is our commitment to customer satisfaction. As a member of this organization, the protection of your privacy and the security of your personal information are vital to our continued ability to serve your ongoing credit needs.
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To view the article in the online 2021 Spring Partners Magazine, click here.
In 1966, Jim and Germaine Matsche started their Birnamwood, Wisconsin, farm with just two milk cows. While raising six children, they slowly grew the operation. By 2000 they were at about 300 milking cows when they added a double 24-parallel parlor and began an extensive expansion.
By 2014 they were milking 2,200 cows three times a day, around the clock taking a toll on equipment. The family knew it would need to make some significant decisions for the future.
The second generation, Scott and Carrie Matsche, are the current owners of the farm and now their sons Chris and Ryan as well as Chris’ wife Heather, two nephews, Tyler and Brandon, and a niece, Nicole, are involved with the operation. Everyone is well-rounded and has their place on the farm, Heather says, from shop work and working in the fields, to tending cows and working in the office.
“The old parlor was getting a lot of wear and tear,” explains Heather, who wears many hats but is mainly involved in the farm’s accounting, human resources and public relations.
They investigated new technologies, including robotics, and also the idea of revamping the old parlor. Ultimately, with input from their team of experts, including their financial partner, GreenStone, they decided on building an 80-cow rotary parlor and a 4,000-cow freestall barn, which was started in 2015 and operational in 2016. The barn was finished in 2017.
Along with the milk cows, they raise all of their calves and heifers, as well as forages on 6,000 acres.
GreenStone has been their lender since 2000. As the operation grew, Carrie says, “We went with GreenStone because our bank wasn’t big enough and GreenStone was more knowledgeable about farming.”
Tax, accounting and payroll services
With the new expansion and their accountant wanting to retire, the Matsches also decided to benefit from GreenStone’s tax, accounting and payroll services. “This allows us to have everything with one company, and it streamlines operations and allows us to easily understand our current position and projections for the future,” explains Carrie, who is gradually transitioning her accounting duties to Heather.
Data is entered in Quickbooks and a monthly backup is sent to Eric Vandivier, senior tax accountant out of GreenStone’s Little Chute, Wisconsin branch. “I categorize expenses and Eric reviews them to make sure everything is in the right category,” Heather says. “If there’s something wrong, it gets fixed, and sent back to us.”
Vandivier says, “I look at their records and break it down into reports,” he says. “And I work with our lending department to supply a lot of information to fulfill their requirements, whether it be balance sheets, or profit or loss statements or if it’s capital asset schedules or tax returns.”
While both departments are under the same GreenStone umbrella, Vandivier says the information is kept confidential and customers must sign disclosure forms for information to be shared. Once that’s done, a lot of information can flow back and forth, he says. Using GreenStone’s tax and accounting services allows farm owners to move quickly on financing if necessary.
In addition to monthly meetings, there also is an inclusive, team meeting quarterly. “We bring in all our vendors, from the person who’s going to service our dairy equipment, to our agronomist, to our nutritionist and those involved in our breeding program,” Heather says. “GreenStone and our dairy consultant help run the meeting to report on how things are running and to tackle any issues.”
Even though it’s a large dairy, it’s still family owned and oriented – that means there’s always food at these meetings, including Carrie’s famous clam chowder.
To help in decision making, GreenStone also offers some benchmarking through its credit department. As an example, we can anonymously group 500- to 1000-cow dairies and show you how you compare to the rest of that peer group. Is your production lower than normal or is that higher? Maybe a farmer needs to look into lowering his cost of production, or maybe his feed expenses are too high.
Looking ahead
For the future, Heather says the farm is looking into manure digesters. “We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and being environmentally sound. We’re getting insights from the staff at GreenStone and seeking advice.”
Carrie adds, “We value the opinion of our lenders. Eric has been great to work with. It’s not always just about business; they’ve become like family. I’ve recommended GreenStone to other farmers.”
Scott says he enjoys working with knowledgeable people that understand the farm, everything from buildings and land to equipment.
Most recently, GreenStone assisted with the national Paycheck Protection Program, which helped the farm pay employees when milk prices plummeted during the onslaught of COVID. And, as the farm began transitioning to the next generation two years ago, GreenStone offered resources to help with the process.
While the operation, with about 50 fulltime and 30 seasonal employees, has continued to advance and grow, the Matsche family is most proud to be farming as a family, in which they include their employees.
Scott and Carrie now have 11 grandchildren. “My grandkids get off the bus here, and they’ll come right to the office,” says Carrie, who calls it a blessing to be a part of their lives. The Matsche’s think there’s a pretty good chance their dairy legacy will continue.
To view the article in the online 2021 Spring Partners Magazine, click here.