Experts in Ag Lending.Meet our Cartersville and Rome staff—Branch Manager Hal Ragan andhis staff work hard to make sure our members receive the newest loanproducts available on the market, keep your interest rates low, keepyour patronage program strong and provide you with service beyondcompare. Call or come by the Cartersville or Rome branch office, andlet us show you what our experience and knowledge can do for you.We’ve got you covered—Equipment Loans, Land, Operating Expenses.Call us today!From the left, Giselle Thach, Lenee Evers, Susan Jones, Ernie Ghee, Heather Collum,Helen Hunter and Hal Raganwww.aggeorgia.com1300 East Main StreetCartersville, Ga.770.382.3637701 East 2nd AvenueRome, Ga.706.291.6340
Frequently Asked Questionsabout <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong>What is <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong>?The <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong> System is a federallychartered network of borrower-ownedlending institutions and related serviceorganizations, exclusively dedicated tosupporting agriculture and rural communities.We serve nearly 500,000 memberborrowersnationwide and provide morethan $170 billion in loans to farmers, ranchers,rural homeowners, aquatic producers,timber harvesters, agribusinesses, as wellas agricultural and rural utility cooperatives.A government-sponsored enterprise(GSE) established by Congress in 1916, theSystem provides more than one-third of thecredit used by those who live and work inrural America.How is <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong> differentfrom other lenders?<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong>’s cooperative structure meansthat member-borrowers have a say in how<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong> does business. Borrowers owntheir local <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong> associations andelect its board members. In accordance withcooperative principles, <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong> banksand associations often distribute a portionof their earnings to member-borrowers inthe form of patronage refunds.For nearly 100 years, <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong> hasbeen solely dedicated to helping farmers,ranchers and rural communities. Customersknow they can depend on <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong>’sexpertise and commitment in good timesand bad.The System’s size, structure and performancehave earned worldwide support ofinvestors who continue to finance U.S.agriculture and rural America by purchasingSystemwide Debt Securities.What is a GSE?The term Government Sponsored Enterprise,or GSE, refers to a financial serviceorganization created by the U.S. Congressto enhance the flow of credit to targetedsectors of the economy. The <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong>System was created in 1916 to provide astable and reliable source of debt capital forthe nation’s agriculture system and ruralAmerica. Congress provided seed moneyto help the System get started. The Systemrepaid all government capital by 1968, andtoday operates without any financial supportfrom the federal government.Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and theFederal Home Loan Bank System are alsoGovernment Sponsored Enterprises.As a GSE, the System is regulated by the<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong> Administration, an independentfederal agency. Members of <strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Credit</strong>Administration’s Board are appointed by thePresident with the advice and consent of theSenate. Having GSE status helps the <strong>Farm</strong><strong>Credit</strong> System ensure that rural America hassteady access to competitively priced fundsthat are necessary to finance growth andmaintain the quality of life in rural communitiesand on the farm. zHelp Grow Your <strong>Farm</strong> FutureBeginning January 2013, America’s farmersand ranchers will have the opportunity tomake a positive impact on their communitiesby taking part in the Census ofAgriculture. Conducted every five yearsby USDA’s National Agricultural StatisticsService (NASS), the Census captures acomplete count of all U.S. farms, ranchesand those who operate them.Census data are used by all thosewho serve farmers and rural communitiesfrom federal, state and local governmentsto agribusinesses and trade associations.Companies and cooperatives use the informationto determine the locations of facilitiesthat will serve agricultural producers. Legislatorsuse the information when shapingfarm policies and programs. And, of course,members of farm organizations use Censusdata to help make informed decisions aboutthe future of their operations.As preparations continue for the 2012Census of Agriculture, we call on farmersand ranchers to share their stories, askquestions and talk to their fellow producersabout this critical effort. Your answers tothe Census help grow your farm future;shape farm programs; and boost servicesfor you, your community and your industry.NASS will mail out Census forms inlate December, and responses are due byFebruary 4th, 2013. Producers also have theoption to complete their forms online. Afterall, the Census is your voice, your future andyour responsibility. For more informationabout the Census, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 1-800-4AG-STAT (1-888-424-7828). The Census of Agriculture is yourvoice, your future, your responsibility. zUSDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA,Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights,Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW,Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992(Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Localor Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).<strong>AgGeorgia</strong>.9.Autumn 2012
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