Carolina Farm Credit recently completed the 12th annual Ag Leadership Institute and the 3rd session of the Ag Biz planner. These opportunities are offered to young, beginning, small, and minority farmers throughout our territory. Here are some details about each program:

Ag Leadership Institute

The Ag Leadership Institute was held at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC brings together and celebrates young, beginning, small and minority farmers. It was created to equip these farmers to meet the challenges of modern agriculture and encourages the sharing of ideas and networking within the industry.

We had a very diverse and extremely hard working group this year. It was evident from their participation and interaction throughout the weekend that this group has a passion for agriculture and is committed to ensuring education remains an integral part of their future. Their dedication to learning renews my faith in the future of North Carolina Agriculture. Additionally, the relationships established within the group will hopefully provide opportunities to network with each other and collaborate to be more successful on their individual farms. At Carolina Farm Credit, we are committed to providing educational opportunities for young, beginning, small and minority farmers that will ensure the future success of North Carolina Agriculture and allow us to stay connected with our customers.

Attendees of the 2012 Ag Leadership conference were:

John & Pamela Ashe, Reidsville, NC
Steve & Nichole Carpenter, Wadesboro, NC
Ryan & Julie Davis, Randleman, NC
Richard & Keshia Enoch, Burlington, NC
Lynn & Kara Goforth, Max Meadows, VA
Bonnie Griffin & Butch Howell, Monroe, N
Gene & Becky Howell, Sparta, NC
Matt & Mary Love, Pilot Mountain, NC
Jonathan Massey, Burlington, NC
Mark & Barbara Pickens, Murphy, NC
Andy & Sarah Powers, Lansing, NC
Jane Rankin, Banner Elk, NC
Bo & Wendy Sellers, Concord, NC
Paul & Mandy Shelton, Olin, NC
Charles & Leatrice Tatum, Mocksville, NC
Der Xiong, Newton, NC





Ag Biz Planner

The Ag Biz Planner program is a college-level, online course in Farm Credit University (FCU). This was the third session of the program and was a collective effort of five farm credit institutions in NC, VA, WVA and MD.

Carolina Farm Credit participants were assigned a loan officer to serve as their mentor throughout the course. Highlights of the program include modules that cover business and personal financial planning, understanding income statements, cash flow, and the smart use of credit on the farm. Each participant completed a business plan for their operation and concluded the class with a conference in Raleigh led by Dr. David Kohl.

The seven Ag Biz Planner Carolina Farm Credit participants were:

Cobey Abramowski & Bryan Abramowski , Rowan County
Mentor: James Taylor, VP -Commecrial Officer, Statesville

Gerry Cohn, Alamance County
Mentor: Bill Miller, Loan Officer, Graham

Patricia Dial, Richmond County
Mentor: Patrick Chappell, Loan Officer, Ellerbe

Adam & Jada Henson, Haywood County
Mentor: Donna Silvers, Loan Officer, Waynesville

Lisa & Larry Hoke, Caldwell County
Mentor: Jill Sigmon, Loan Officer, Lenoir & Newton

Gary Purgason, Rockingham County
Mentor: Jim Webb, Loan Officer, Reidsville

Gwen & Tim Stowe, Gaston County
Mentor: Roger Davidson, Loan Officer, Lincolnton