Page 5 - RVO Milestones Feb 2016

Advertising Supplement River Valley & Ozark Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sunday, January 31, 2016 • 5VV
Celebrating 100 years
Farm Credit of Western Arkansas
Financial cooperative works to support rural lifestyle
By Sarah DeClerk
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
As Farm Credit of Western Arkan- sas celebrates its 100th anniver- sary, Glen Manchester, president and CEO, attributes its century of success to its understanding of agriculture and receptivity to its members’ needs.
“We pride ourselves on being respon- sive to our members, and that sets us apart from our competition,” he said.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson created the Farm Credit System to ensure rural Americans had access to reliable credit.
Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, which is headquartered in Russellville, honors that tradition by providing de- pendable, affordable credit to farmers, ranchers and rural homeowners in the western half of the state, he said.
Unlike a bank, the financial coopera- tive is owned by its members, the people to whom it provides loans, who can over- see the association’s business practices by electing directors. They also share in the profits when the association has a good year.
Most of its lending officers have an ag- ricultural background, Manchester said. “Not only do we understand agricul- ture, but Farm Credit is committed to our rural communities,” he said. “We have a proven track record of sticking with farm-
ers in good economic times and bad.” Over the years, the association has implemented many programs in re- sponse to its borrowers’ needs, including a recently added military-loan discount program and the Young, Beginning
Farmer Program.
“We have a commitment to youth in
agriculture because we know they’re to- morrow’s leaders,” Manchester said. “We are continually looking at things that our membership may need.”
SUBMITTED PHOTO Now celebrating its 100th anniversary, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas provides reliable, affordable credit for farmers, ranchers and rural homeowners in the western part of the state,
said Glen Manchester, president and CEO.
In addition, its employees stay con- nected to the communities they serve through charity and volunteer work, he said, adding that employees may cook meals for local events, support county fairs or help organize farm visits for ele- mentary schools.
“We believe strongly that the rural lifestyle is something worth protecting, and we are here to serve those people who want to farm, ranch or just live in the country, and to facilitate their needs so that they can continue to do that. We’re proud of that,” he said.