GreenStone Story. GreenStone is committed to supporting agriculture and our rural communities. How we provide that support looks different for each of our members – because no two farms or families are the same! 23
31
Live
Country Living Customer Feature. When the Thielens originally set out to build their dream home, they never imagined they would find it instead!
45
Learn
Tax & Accounting Customer Feature. Farmers are no strangers to change and adaptation. For Paul Schmidt of Schimdt’s Ponderosa, each season of life, and farming, has brought about changes requiring transition and readjustment.
This newsletter is published quarterly for the customers of GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Editorial
Cassie Bosworth
Cassie Bowman
Emma Briggs
Linnea Jones
Isabella Losey
Melissa Rogers
Kate Thiel
Caleb Yarbrough
Partners
Art & Design
William Eva
Olivia Gallt
GreenStone Farm Credit Services 3515 West Road East Lansing, MI 48823
800-444-3276 marketing@greenstonefcs.com
Cassie Hribek, a GreenStone member and fourth generation farmer in Linwood, Mich., enjoys a moment with her son, Dean, in the equipment barn she shares with her father.
3 CEO Comments.
President and CEO Travis Jones shares highlights from a very active first quarter and news on member engagement opportunities.
9 Part Time Farming.
Whether you’re considering selling produce from your garden, starting your own roadside farm stand, or even getting into beekeeping, it is entirely possible to generate an income from “part-time farming”.
13 Market Outlook.
Multiple forces are rocking the U.S. economy, weathering the storm will require some calming of the winds.
27 Legislative Matters.
The phrase “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made” is a well-known often misattributed aphorism that describes the chaotic, messy and compromise-driven nature of the legislative process.
28 PAC Progress.
As the election marches closer, we are well positioned to carry the messages of Farm Credit and our members in rural communities and agriculture.
29 Directors’ Perspective.
In the winter issue of Partners, three of our committee chairs highlighted their perspective on their respective committees. In this issue, we feature the final three committees.
36 Guest Column.
For the Michigan outdoorsman, spring doesn’t arrive with a date on a calendar—it arrives with the opening of turkey season.
37 Reset This Spring with Seasonal Eating. There is no better time for a fresh start than this spring! Spring is the season when everything comes back to life.
38 Family Fun Entertainment This Spring. Michigan and northeast Wisconsin have many budget friendly activities to enjoy with the family this season.
43 Crop Insurance Feature. GreenStone helps producers prepare for uncertainty by providing its livestock insurance customers with a powerful suite of tools and expert resources designed to support informed decision making.
49 Tech Tip.
Email sits at the center of modern life. That is exactly what makes it so valuable to attackers. Here are some tips on keeping it secure.
The sun is shining, our fair livestock are growing, and as I’m reviewing the articles in this publication, I’m embracing this time as a season of opportunity – to refresh and welcome transformation. That optimism comes from each of you, our members.
As you read the customer stories in this issue of Partners, and those in the annual report that members recently received, you too will see they represent endless examples of customers facing adversity and pushing forward with us through clear and proactive communication, honest goals, and an openness to listen. That level of optimism and engagement takes time and focus for both our members and our employees.
From the transition between siblings as tax customers evolved their farm (page 45), to the ability to navigate the dynamics of multiple family businesses while she built her own on page 5, to the 180 degree turn a family took from building to buying their dream home (page 31) – all found success through keeping the end goal in mind and providing transparent communication, which included not only a willingness to share but also an openness to listen and adjust accordingly for success.
So as you read through this issue, we hope you find both the stories and the information we’re sharing valuable and helpful in keeping you informed and motivated for what’s next. Be sure to note things you may wish to share with others on your team – a family member, an employee or your GreenStone representative – because we all want to be that conduit of vibrancy and progression.
Together, let’s continue building on that momentum—strengthening our partnerships, embracing change, and moving forward with confidence toward a successful future.
Happy reading as we embrace all this spring season has to offer!
Melissa
Spring Update
Time continues to fly by for me as I am sure it does for our extremely busy members. It doesn’t get busier than this time of year for our farmer members in the fields or our country living customers excited to start their spring plans or new home construction.
There’s been a long list of events over the last three months that have kept our team quite busy, but every time we welcome customers to one of those events we get the chance to learn from you all – through your interaction, your engagement and comments, your ideas and concerns, and your personal stories. These opportunities and events are what make GreenStone, your financial cooperative, a special place to work and do business.
I’m so proud of the value my teammates live by each day – the relationships they build with each of you and the expertise they share to support your goals. Over the last few months we’ve been busy with what we fondly refer to as “meeting season.” It’s a time when many of our members are just a little less busy, and therefore we help to fill that time with information, resources and knowledge. This season GreenStone hosted more than 20 educational opportunities for members and prospective customers. That’s on top of the always special Patronage Day, and our engagement in many industry tradeshows, community events, and several other initiatives we help with throughout our territory.
CEO comments
I know you have many opportunities to learn and grow each year, and we thank you for prioritizing our events as valuable to you!
I won’t belabor the point too much, but to help showcase the breadth and depth of our team’s efforts, here’s a few examples of what we had going on in the first quarter:
• Agricultural producer forums and dairy connect events where members gained insights to help them plan strategically through market updates, risk management options, and practical tools.
• In-person and virtual timber forums focused on planning, industry issues, business management, and legislative initiatives.
• In-person and virtual construction seminars where attendees walked through the ins and outs of the details and choices involved in the process of building their dream home.
• A two-day conference focused on networking and information sharing for young, beginning, and small farmers. And of course, to top it all off was our 21st Patronage Day when we hosted more than 5,000 members at our branches and returned a record $125 million of our profits right back to you – our memberowners! Stepping up means more than $125 million back, it’s our continued growth alongside our members and relationships built for over a century. No matter the season, we remain committed to being your reliable financial partner.
Our culture is built on a foundation of strong relationships with our member-owners, and that commitment remains steady regardless of the economic cycle.
That commitment is further highlighted in the annual report you should have recently received! The report demonstrates the resilience and commitment of both your cooperative’s members and employees. Our culture is built on a foundation of strong relationships with our memberowners, and that commitment remains steady regardless of the economic cycle. Our focus remains on maintaining open communication with our members and delivering financial solutions tailored for each of their unique needs. Highlights of the 2025 annual report include:
• Net Income of $270 million
• Total Assets of $16 billion
• Total Loan Growth of 5.4%
• Outreach support of approximately $1.5 million
• More than 12,700 hours volunteered
Your cooperative had an outstanding 2025 and we are ready to continue our success in 2026 and beyond. Like always, for us to accomplish this, we need your assistance with a couple very important items.
First, it’s time for our annual customer satisfaction survey, which helps us gather valuable feedback on our members’ overall experience with the cooperative. Aa randomly selected group of members should have received the survey.
Conducted each year, this survey measures customer satisfaction, loyalty, perceptions of our products and services, and changes in service over time. The insights we receive not only reflect our members’ current perspectives but also
highlight positive trends and opportunities for improvement, helping GreenStone continue to enhance our customer experience.
Secondly, our election ballots will be sent on May 4. All regions will be electing our nominating committees, and regions 4 and 5 will also have director elections this year. Please be on the lookout for your ballots and don’t forget to vote before the June 9 deadline.
Best wishes for a safe and successful spring planting season. Please feel free to reach out to me any time if I can ever be of assistance.
As always, thank you for feeding me, my family and the world, and thank you for your membership. ◀
Travis D. Jones
517-318-4144
travis.jones@greenstonefcs.com
CultivateGrowth customer feature
Forging Her Own Path
For Cassie Hribek, farming was never a career she had to choose. It is who she is.
A fourth generation farmer from Bay County, Michigan, Cassie grew up immersed in the rhythms of her family’s farm, working alongside her dad from an early age.
“I started working with my dad as a toddler,” said Cassie. “Farming just always felt natural to me. It’s what I grew up around, and what I love to do now.”
Many of her peers experienced the common cases of existential uncertainty as they transitioned from high school to the real world, struggling to choose which path to take. Cassie never hesitated.
“Farming was never really something I had to decide on,” she said. “I just knew that’s what I was going to do.”
Honoring Family Tradition While Building Something New
Cassie’s family farm has been in operation for four generations, and she grew up right where it all started. Today, she still lives close to home — so close, in fact, when she looks out the window of her living room, she can see the farm where she was raised.
Honoring her family’s legacy has always
been important to her, but Cassie was also determined to carve out her own unique place within it.
Cassie began farming immediately after graduating from high school. She gradually acquired land and began building her own operation. Early on, getting access to enough land to support a profitable farm was difficult — even for a fourth-generation farmer with family support and a strong knowledge of the industry.
“You think you’ll never get enough (land) to make a go of it,” said Cassie. “But it does happen. You just pick up a little more here and there.”
Credibility through Experience
Cassie is part of a growing generation of women in agriculture. While she’s quick to acknowledge there are many women farmers today, she recognizes running her own independent operation still sets her apart.
“Sometimes people don’t take women quite as serious as they take men,” she said. “But once people get to know you and your operation, the respect is there.”
For Cassie, credibility has come from experience, consistency, and results — not
◀ Cassie Hribek began helping her dad on her family’s farm as a toddler. Today, as a fourth generation farmer, she continues her family’s legacy while forging her own path and working hard to leave a strong operation to her two young sons one day.
Farming was never really something I had to decide on... I just knew that’s what I was going to do.
from trying to prove a point. Over time, her relationships have grown stronger, and her operation speaks for itself.
“Cassie embodies the very spirit of a woman in agriculture. While she works alongside her dad, and is also married to a full-time farmer. What truly stands out is the strength and pride she brings to running an operation entirely her own,” said Mike Schwab, VP of lending at GreenStone’s Bay City branch. “Cassie’s natural leadership is unmistakable. I look forward to supporting her as she becomes the next generation of her family’s farming legacy.”
The Desk is as Important as the Tractor
Like many producers today, Cassie knows modern farming requires just as much business acumen as it does time in the field. Rising land values, high equipment costs, and fluctuating commodity prices make
every decision count.
“Everything costs a lot,” she said. “If you want to be successful, you definitely need to spend some time at the desk.”
Strategic decisions — such as purchasing late-model used equipment instead of buying brand new — have helped Cassie and her family’s operations continue to grow while managing costs.
Despite the stress and uncertainty that can come with farming, Cassie finds deep fulfillment in her work.
“It can be pretty stressful at times,” she said. “But it’s also very rewarding.”
Partnering with GreenStone
When Cassie took her first steps toward running her own operation, having the right financial partner made all the difference. When the time came to purchase farmland, she turned to GreenStone — leaning on her family’s long
standing relationship with the cooperative. “GreenStone is a great fit for beginning and young farmers,” said Cassie. “They just get it.”
Cassie’s experience reflects the mission of GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth program — to support young, beginning, and small farmers as they establish and grow their operations. From land financing to crop insurance and Patronage dividends, GreenStone has been a steady partner throughout her journey.
“They make it easy... Everything is there, and you don’t have to explain farming to them,” said Cassie. “The Patronage program has been very beneficial — it’s nice to get something back that supports the financial health of your operation.”
Farming for the Next Generation Looking ahead, Cassie’s goals extend beyond her own success.
She and her husband, Jason, who runs his own farm operation, have two young sons, Dean, 5, and Eli, 4. Her hope is to grow her operation and make it viable for years to come — should her children choose to enter the family business and take over where she left off.
“Farming is just a way of life,” she said. “It’s something that’s born into us. One day, it’d be nice to help them farm and let them be the boss.”
For Cassie Hribek, farming is about patience, persistence, and pride — honoring the generations that came before her while building something sustainable for the next. Rooted in tradition and driven by determination, she’s proving that with the right support and a clear vision, young farmers can still grow their dreams.◀
The Patronage program has been very beneficial — it’s nice to get something back that supports the financial health of your operation
◀ Top left, Cassie Hribek learned her love of farming, and about GreenStone, from her father, Jerry Knochel. Bottom left, Cassie and GreenStone VP of Lending Mike Schwab pose near one of the fields she farms.
Agriculture – Knowledge and Resources
GreenStone publishes regular updates on our Knowledge and Resources page. Check out some of the posts you may have missed at www.greenstonefcs.com/resources/ knowledge-resources
Building Business with Intention
For Adam Weinrich, growth means more than expanding production. It means building a business with intention. With support from the CultivateGrowth Grant, he invested in business education that is now shaping the future of his livestock operation.
How the federal bonus depreciation restored to 100% will impact Michigan farmers
With Michigan decoupling from several significant provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill, you will want to make sure you understand the impact of the change for state income tax purposes.
What every producer should know about ECO coverage
Did you know an Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) as a part of your existing crop insurance policy can provide stability against falling commodity prices and a higher revenue floor? ECO is a cost-effective risk management tool that offers additional Revenue or Yield Protection.
2026 Agricultural Economic Outlook for Michigan and Wisconsin
As producers look ahead to the rest of the year, the agricultural economy across Michigan and Wisconsin is being shaped by contrasting market forces. Continued volatility underscores the importance of working with a trusted financial partner. ◀
How To Make A Farm Income From Your Backyard
BY: COURTNEY ROSS, CultivateGrowth Program Manager
Have you ever thought “it would be great if I could get paid for doing what I love”? Chances are, you can!
Whether you’re considering selling produce from your garden, starting your own roadside farm stand, or even getting into beekeeping, it is entirely possible to generate an income from these “part-time farming” activities that you already enjoy doing.
Start with what you already have
Using the resources you already have at home or in your backyard, you can create realistic and flexible ways to generate income and share your passions with others. Do you have a garden that could be expanded beyond your personal use to grow more produce or sell cut flower bouquets at your local farmers market? Maybe you have a backyard chicken coop and could sell eggs at a roadside stand. If you’re already canning vegetables and making homemade salsa, why not produce extra to sell?
Whatever your passion, consider how you can build on it. Determine how you will fit the activity into your existing daily routine, and how much time you are willing to dedicate to it. Avoid taking on too much at once and instead start
Regardless of where you are starting from, there are producers who have been where you are, and many are happy to share what they’ve learned.
small and see where it leads. Generating a farm income doesn’t require large acreage or a full-time commitment. Small, manageable efforts can grow into meaningful income! Whether your operation remains a hobby or evolves into a full-time business, part-time farming is a great way to start, learn, and potentially grow.
Utilize the resources available to you You may be surprised by just how many resources are available to those just getting started on their farming journey. GreenStone offers part-time farm financing for land, equipment, building improvements, livestock, and more. Working with a lender who specializes in agricultural operations of all sizes is incredibly beneficial when it comes to determining the right solution for supporting your farming activity. Maybe you purchase recreational land and wonder what it would take to start growing some produce; GreenStone has you covered as well.
Our CultivateGrowth program also offers grants, education, and mentorship designed to support young, beginning, and small farmers and help the next generation of agriculture succeed – from part-time operations to full-time agribusinesses.
The Beginning Farmer Resource and Decision-Making Guide from Michigan State University Extension also offers valuable resources to help new farmers and decision-
makers get started on their farming journey. Don’t be afraid to seek out the advice of others who have found success in their own part-time farming operations as well. Regardless of where you are starting from, there are producers who have been where you are, and many are happy to share what they’ve learned.
What you should know before you start selling
Before you start selling a product of any kind, it’s important to review your local laws and regulations to ensure you can operate legally. This could mean acquiring a business permit, researching ordinances around setting up a roadside farm stand, expanding your garden, or learning the requirements for selling your products at your local grocery store or farmers’ market. If you plan on selling nonperishable, edible items such as baked goods or canned items directly from your home, investigate cottage food law regulations. Oftentimes there are legal provisions that make it simpler to operate these businesses, allowing you to avoid as much red tape as possible – at least when you are starting out.
Ensure your farming activities meet all township and municipal compliance requirements. Your state may also have specific regulations to follow as well.
No matter the scale of your operation or the activity you are pursuing, registering your business can be as simple as registering with state and local governments under a “Doing Business As” name or DBA. This is an easy, low-cost way to operate your business without forming an LLC or other formal business entity. If you seek more specific advice, speaking with an attorney or utilizing any number of reputable online legal services providers is a good option.
Collaborate and grow
How do you plan on sharing your products or services with others? Marketing your business will look different depending on your goals for your operation! Consider teaming up with friends or neighbors who are already selling their own products. Maybe there is already a nearby farm stand where you could sell honey, produce, or eggs from, or a local bakery or business would be happy to carry your fresh cut flower bouquets. Building relationships with those in your community early on can lead to more opportunities for collaboration and growth in the long run.
You may even be able to exchange resources with other local part-time farmers. If one of your neighbors already has the equipment you need to expand your garden, consider how you could exchange goods or services to support each other’s small businesses. Try it and see what works!
There are no rules when it comes to parttime farming or sharing what you love with your local community. Sometimes the best way forward is to simply try something and see what works. Whether you aim to sell a few loafs of sourdough at your farmer’s market or establish an operation that can eventually grow into your full-time gig, the sky is the limit.
No matter the size of your operation, GreenStone is here to help. We offer resources, specialized lending, and financial services to help your farm thrive, whether it’s five or 5,000 acres!
Connect with your local branch today to learn more about our part-time farm financing options! ◀
Seeds of Progress
CultivateGrowth Grants: Funds to Learn and Grow
Starting a farm from the ground up is no small task. For new farmers, navigating the complexities of running a business—especially managing finances and filing taxes— can be overwhelming. Yet these practices are critical to success.
GreenStone is committed to helping farmers succeed. Through the CultivateGrowth Grant, eligible GreenStone customers may qualify for up to $1,000, while non-customers are eligible for up to $500. Applicants can receive funds to help offset the cost of financial services and educational programming designed for
young, beginning, and small farmers.
Visit greenstonefcs.com/grants to learn more and apply today.
CultivateGrowth Conference: Growing Connections and Confidence
In March, young, beginning, and, small farmers from Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin gathered for the CutivateGrowth Conference hosted by GreenStone. The conference is part of GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth program that provides flexibility to secure financing for farm operations along with education and resources to help young, beginning, and small farmers grow.
Courtney Ross, CultivateGrowth Program Manager for GreenStone, serves as the leader of GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth committee, and played a major role in planning the event. She emphasized the importance of farmers having the opportunity to connect with each other and to have access to pertinent resources.
Attendees at this year’s conference were able to connect with peers, engage with keynote speaker, Rob Sharkey, and hear from subject matter experts on an array of topics.
During his remarks at the event, Rob Sharky, better known as The SharkFarmer, shared his experience with agriculture, life, and the unexpected with attendees. He’s no stranger to adversity and his message of grit and hope resonated with the group.
Throughout the conference, meaningful opportunities to connect with peers were provided. First, participants mingled during an industry mixer. Then they heard from a panel of GreenStone customers and concluded the day with networking and dinner as a group. Each agenda item provided different, intentional chances for these young, beginning, and small farmers to find common ground –sharing ideas, challenges, and connection during a time in their journey that can feel isolated.
The conference concluded with three rounds of breakout sessions. Sessions included content focused on commodity marketing, agricultural markets and trends, managing risk and farm business planning, as well as ways to work with the Farm Service Agency.
As the event concluded, it was clear the mission of bringing young, beginning, and small farmers together to connect, share ideas, and learn had been achieved. Attendees left feeling energized, seen, and ready to take on their next adventure.
Resources to Keep in Mind:
Making decisions as a young, beginning, or small farmer can be intimidating if you aren’t armed with the right resources and knowledge. In addition to the grants and mentorship opportunities offered through GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth program, the resoures below could be an asset to your ongoing learning:
Farm Pulse: Financial Management and Analysis, offered by University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a selfpaced online course educates farmers on the important financial documents they need to understand and keep in mind when making business decisions. This course will help farmers evaluate their finances, take the pulse of their farm business, and set goals for the future of their operation.
Interested in learning more? Visit farms.extension.wisc.edu/ programs/farm-pulse/
University of Illinois’ farmdoc is another resource for young, beginning, and small farmers to consider. Farmdoc offers webinars, publications and tools for individuals to utilize that cover a wide range of topics from fertilizer and fuel to conservation and agricultural policy. Check out this link to learn more about new and upcoming offerings through farmdoc: farmdoc.illinois.edu/ webinars. ◀
The United States labor economy started off 2026 in a positive direction with 126,000 jobs added in January. This dropped the unemployment rate to 4.3%, an improvement from the last reported information from December 2025 of 4.4%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unfortunately, and somewhat unexpectedly, recently released data from February showed the loss of 92,000 jobs and a return to the unemployment rate of 4.4%. Recall that 2025 data was revised downward to just 181,000 jobs added for the year, an especially weak mark. Health care and social assistance have led job gains while the federal government continued to shed jobs.
Meanwhile, GDP growth for the fourth quarter of 2025 was a bit softer than anticipated at an annualized rate of just 0.7% based on the latest report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Some of this was likely attributable to the government shutdown which lasted 43 days from October 1 to November 12. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, increased 2.4% over the 12 months ending February 2026, and no change from January. This decreased from 2.7% as of December 2025, and 3.0% from a year earlier in January of 2025. The most recent figures may also have been impacted by the government shutdown since data from October was not included in the rate.
Uncertainty was the key word used by the Federal Reserve at the most recent central bank meeting, March 18, during which a vote was held to keep rates unchanged in a range between 3.50% and 3.75%. Labor markets appear fragile, with mixed signals of slowing jobs growth but stable unemployment. Inflation was down early in the year, but concerns have appeared over the
implications of the war in Iran and surging oil prices. The Fed must balance a policy aimed at promoting full employment and controlling inflation. With mixed economic signals and uncertain conditions ahead, one quarterpoint rate cut is expected for this year after three 25 basis point cuts in 2025. Worth noting as well is the impending change in Fed chair as Jerome Powell will end his eight-year tenure as chair in May.
Tariffs implemented by President Trump in April of 2025 and billed as “Liberation Day” tariffs have been decreased to a temporary flat 15% after the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling in the case Learning Resources, Inc. V. Trump. The Supreme Court ruled that the President’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was not a constitutionally sound method of implementing tariffs. The ruling was not an indictment of tariffs, nor a statement that the president could not implement tariffs. Rather, it clarified the president was not authorized to enact tariffs under the IEEPA. The flat rate tariff imposed immediately following the ruling is a temporary tariff imposed under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act which only allows tariffs up to 15% to address balance of payment deficits. There are also additional reporting requirements under this
Uncertainty was the key word used by the Federal Reserve at the most recent central bank meeting, March 18th.
authorization. Many claims have since been filed by importers for reimbursement of the tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court.
Corn and Soybeans
The March 10, 2026 U.S.DA WASDE report offered minimal changes for both the corn and soybean markets from the February report. For corn, the most notable update was the increase in world ending stocks, which reached 292.8 million metric tons, exceeding trade expectations and rising from last month’s figure with increases tied to higher production estimates in key exporters such as Brazil and Ukraine. The report emphasized that geopolitical tensions continue to influence commodity flows and trader behavior, with grain markets remaining sensitive to shifting energy prices and trade risks.
Turning to soybeans, the report showed relative stability in U.S. balance sheets but spotlighted global production dynamics,
particularly in South America, where Brazil’s soybean harvest is underway and remains a major area of market focus. While the WASDE did not dramatically revise U.S. soybean projections, traders are watching for later-month updates tied to the March 31 Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports, which could provide clearer guidance on acreage shifts and supply outlooks. The broader tone of the WASDE reflected a market caught between ample global supplies, especially in corn, and ongoing uncertainty from global conflicts and weather developments. Analysts noted that even the lack of significant changes can be meaningful, signaling that
Dairy producers continue to add cows with 189,000 added to the national dairy herd over the last 12 months and growing the total dairy herd to 9.58 million head, a 32-year high.
USDA sees no immediate reason to alter domestic demand or export expectations despite the volatility.
Overall, the March 2026 WASDE reinforced expectations of large world corn supplies, steady but closely watched soybean fundamentals, and a grain complex still highly reactive to geopolitical risk, South American harvest results, and upcoming acreage data, all of which will shape market direction heading into spring.
Dairy
Producers are coming into 2026 with historically strong balance
sheets and working capital positions after multiple years of above average profitability. Although income over feed costs using the Dairy Margin Coverage calculation retreated to the lowest levels since August of 2023 in January and February, both Class III and Class IV futures rallied significantly through the rest of 2026 with the resurgence of the nonfat dry milk and butter markets.
The 2026 12-month average for Class III and Class IV Milk Futures is $17.23 and $18.85, respectively. Feed prices are also expected to remain below the historical trend based on the current corn and soybean meal futures prices, resulting in anticipated positive margins for the remainder of the year. Beef income from culling cows and selling crossbred calves are still providing significant benefits to dairy producers’ bottom lines. After a fourth quarter decline in calf prices, crossbred calf prices reached new highs in February topping $1,400 per head.
Dairy producers continue to add cows with 189,000 added to the national dairy herd over the last 12 months and growing the total dairy herd to 9.58 million head, a 32-year high. On top of a larger herd, milk yields continue to increase as well. This growth in both milk yields and total cows will continue to require strength in the U.S. Dairy export markets. Today, U.S. butter and cheese prices remain competitive in the global market and exports through January are strong with an 11% year-over-year (YOY) increase in cheese exports and butter exports up 187% YOY.
New facilities, low feed costs, high beef revenue, risk management programs and the recent surge in milk prices providing economic incentives for producers to continue boosting milk output will likely slow any sort of transition from expansion to contraction.
Pork
Through the first two months of 2026, the optimism that producers carried into the year regarding continued stronger lean hog prices and profit potential has been supported and the outlook for the year remains positive. Lean hog futures and the Lean Hog Index have sustained a rally through the first quarter which as of the date of this writing, March 10, 2026, futures contracts are
trading at or near contract highs and $10-$15 per cwt. above year-end contract prices. The Lean Hog Index is also back above $90 per cwt. for the first time since October. Market hog prices and outlook have resulted in record-high prices being paid in the first quarter for both weaned pigs and feeder pigs.
Packer margins have remained positive despite higher hog prices due to a strengthening wholesale carcass value (“CutOut”) which increased back above $100 per cwt. and back to prior year levels in early March. Some packers are working to increase daily processing capacity and are offering contracts to additional producers which has a positive impact on price and/or transportation costs for those farms. Both domestic and export demand remain strong, providing support for pork and hog prices while supplies remain fairly tight.
Feed prices have remained low enough to provide good margin opportunities but remain a threat and have increased recently on geopolitical risk and unfavorable weather in South America increasing ingredient costs, especially corn. There is little expansion going on in the industry despite the positive news above given persistent risks around disease, labor availability, and high construction costs.
PEDv and PRRS remain two of the primary disease risks, with a new strain of PRRS impacting production during the first quarter in Ohio and Indiana. Risk of foreign animal disease remains as well, with increased African Swine Fever (ASF) cases in the European Union, particularly in Spain. The industry continues to focus on biosecurity measures as the primary protection against disease risk. If these price trends continue and farms can remain healthy, there is a good opportunity to follow a good year in 2025 with a second this year.
Make Your Voice Heard in Your Cooperative!
As a member of our cooperative, you have the opportunity to get involved in our organization and make your voice heard! It’s that time of year again when you get to vote for the individuals who will help shape the future of our cooperative.
Starting on May 4, ballots will be sent to GreenStone voting stockholders for the opportunity to vote for our nominating committee and for two members from each region 4 and 5 to serve on GreenStone’s Board of Directors.
Before a member can be elected to the board, our nominating committee evaluates and nominates the qualified slate of candidates you will now have the opportunity to vote for. The nominating committee holds a very pivotal role in determining who provides leadership to our association, and all regions will also be voting for the nominating committee responsible for curating the candidates for next year’s elections.
To ensure a smooth voting process, members have the option of submitting their ballot online or by mail. Each member will be mailed their ballot, and if you have provided your email address, your ballot will be emailed to you as well.
Voting instructions will be printed on each ballot for online or mail-in voting. Director candidate biographies will be included
with the ballots for voting members in regions 4 and 5. Director biographies can also be viewed when voting online or by visiting GreenStone’s website. Nominating committee biographies are not provided in coordination with Farm Credit’s election regulations. However, details are included to identify their major agriculture product, as diverse representation of our cooperative is important and desired.
All ballots must be received by midnight on June 9, 2026.
For more information about the election, the cooperative’s governance, and to meet the candidates, scan the QR code below.
If you are interested in being considered for a director or nominating committee position in the future, please complete a profile form on our website to express your interest or call 800444-3276 and ask to speak to the Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO. Voting regions 6 and 7 will have open director seats in 2026 for the 2027 election.
Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard and influence the leadership of our association. Make a difference through voting! ◀
A Record-Breaking $125 Million Back in Patronage to Members This Year
On March 18, GreenStone marked Patronage Day with a milestone worth celebrating. In our 21st year of returning profits to members, we gave back a record-breaking $125 million, totaling $1.2 billion back in total Patronage dividends. We remain committed to stepping up for our members through every cycle, putting real dollars back into our members’ hands when it matters most.
We enjoyed the chance to connect with so many of you, our members, across our all of our branches through handing out Patronage checks and celebrating the strength of our shared success. GreenStone is committed to serving our members and stepping up through record returns is just one way we support our members through every season. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come out, enjoy refreshments and conversation with us, and made the day truly special! ◀
GreenStone Events Recap
Thank you to all who took advantage of learning with us and attended our events over the past few months. From learning more about the home construction process during the construction seminars, earning SFI points at our timber forums, hearing an economic outlook at producer forums, networking and gaining resources with other young, beginning, and small farmer programs at our CultivateGrowth Conference, and connecting with our local teams at our connect receptions at the Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference, and the Crop Summit, we hope you’ve entered this spring with valuable insight and expanded networks to benefit your operation! If you missed out on one of our tailored events this winter, check back in the fall for more information on other upcoming events! ◀
Detect Check Fraud with Positive Pay
Protect yourself and your livelihood from fraudulent activity and financial loss through an enhanced fraud prevention tool. Positive Pay allows you to detect fraud by matching the issued draft checks from your operating loan with the information on the check presented for payment, including the payee, loan number, draft number, and amount.
Positive Pay can be accessed right in the palm of your hand on your smartphone, giving you the ability to approve or deny exceptions through a text message or email link. With an increasing amount of sophisticated fraud tactics on the rise, being able to access your draft exemptions from anywhere as well as the added
security of verifying payee information can help give you peace of mind your draft transactions are secure. To learn more about Positive Pay, please contact your local GreenStone branch. ◀
We want to hear from you! Let us know how we’re doing!
We care about providing the service you expect and welcome the opportunity for you to share your experience working with the GreenStone team.
A random selection of GreenStone members recently received a survey in the mail from Advantage Research and Analysis (ARA) requesting you to comment on your experience working with GreenStone. We encourage you to take a few minutes to share your perspective – you can respond by mail using the paper survey, or use the link included on the survey to submit your feedback online. Your feedback helps us pinpoint areas our team can improve, while also embracing areas of success. This is an independent survey; only aggregated results and anonymous comments are provided to GreenStone. Our goal is to provide our members with the best possible experience, and this is only possible when we hear directly from you!
If you have any questions about completing your survey, please contact ARA at (517) 575-8859. ◀
Breakfast on the Farm
Each summer, Wisconsin farms hold a family-friendly event called Breakfast on the Farm. Local farmers give consumers a behind-the-scenes look at life on the farm and where their favorite agricultural products come from. Want to join in on the family-friendly fun at a farm? Use the QR code to find one near you! ◀
GreenStone Announces 2025 Annual Report
Under the theme “Committed to Partnership,” the report demonstrates the resilience and commitment of both the cooperative’s members and their employees. A couple shares their story of perseverance after losing their barn in a fire in their early days of farming, and a family building their forever home in the remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan explain how GreenStone was by their side through each step of the construction process. GreenStone’s commitment to its members is also highlighted through the accounts of two long-tenured employees who share what ongoing commitment to their customers has looked like throughout the cycles.
the company, and approximately $1.5 million given in support of industry organizations and community events.
This dedication to strengthening the rural communities they are a part of, solid financial performance, and record-breaking Patronage returns is a testament to GreenStone’s continued commitment to working alongside its members in every cycle.
Other financial highlights in this year’s report include:
• Total Assets: Over $16 billion
• Total Loan Growth: 5.4%
Committed to Partnership. The report highlights the cooperative’s deep commitment to its member-owners and the resilient, long-standing relationships they continue to cultivate.
Included in the report are several financial highlights including net income of $270 million, 95% customer satisfaction, and the record-breaking $125 million returned to members in the form of Patronage.
“Our cooperative is built on strong relationships with our member-owners, and that commitment remains steady regardless of the economic cycle we are in,” said President and CEO Travis Jones. “Our team remains focused on maintaining open communication with our members so we can continue delivering solutions tailored for each of their unique needs.”
GreenStone’s commitment to supporting rural communities was also shown through a combined 12,700 volunteer hours across
“Our members have shown tremendous resilience as they continue to manage rising inflation, interest rates, and higher input costs,” said Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer Kim Brunner. “That strength reinforces the value of the cooperative model, where we remain focused on supporting our members and growing alongside them.”
Members received their copy of the annual report in early April, and the entirety of the report can be found on GreenStone’s website www.greenstonefcs.com/ annualreport. ◀
Michigan legislators and agriculture industry united to Celebrate Michigan Agriculture March 17
Celebrate Michigan Agriculture, hosted by GreenStone, was a special event to honor Michigan’s agricultural industry held at the Michigan State Capitol on March 17. On this day, both the Michigan Senate and House passed resolutions declaring March 2026 Agriculture Appreciation Month!
The event brought together legislators and nearly 30 agricultural organizations from across Michigan to share, collaborate, and highlight key opportunities and challenges shaping the state’s second largest industry –agriculture.
The event featured a vendor marketplace and a panel discussion with representatives from key sectors of Michigan’s agriculture industry, including Michigan Asparagus Association, Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Farm Bureau, and Corn Marketing Program of Michigan/Michigan Corn Growers Association.
“On behalf of the Hantz Foundation, I want to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for your donation. Your contribution helps to support Detroit students by providing equitable opportunities to improve and sustain high quality education on the east side of Detroit. These programs would not be possible without your generosity. ”
– Hantz Foundation
“Thank you for your assistance with my education. I am learning so much in my ag business classes and hope to be able to help with ag policy in the future.”
– Elizabeth Hartmann, 2025 Scholarship Recipient
Candid Comments...
Panelists discussed significant achievements in their sectors, emerging innovations and technologies, and their vision for the future of Michigan agriculture.
GreenStone President and CEO Travis Jones opened the program by highlighting the 29,000-member cooperative’s commitment to Michigan’s agriculture industry, including its central mission to provide a reliable source of credit and financial services to farmers and rural families across Michigan and northeast Wisconsin. He closed the program by highlighting the uniquely strong partnerships that exist among Michigan’s agriculture industry.
“This is very exciting for agriculture to come together like we do in the State of Michigan,” Travis said. “Thank you to all our partners, thank you for being with us here today to celebrate agriculture here in Michigan.”
“Thank you for your sponsorship for the 2025 Dairy Cares Fundraiser for the benefit of Children’s Wisconsin. Because of generous sponsors like you, Dairy Cares has raised more than $3.7 million for Children’s Wisconsin over the last 15 years. Thank you! ”
– Dairy Cares of Wisconsin
“Thank you for investing in the Agent Charitable Fund in 2025 and helping us reduce food insecurity around the state.”
– Michigan Farm Bureau Insurance
Circle of Excellence Results
GreenStone employees take pride in providing members with guidance and the best service possible. Each year the sales staff who were among the top performers within the cooperative, along with the critical support team who work with them, are recognized in the Circle of Excellence Rewards and Recognition Program. This is just one way GreenStone acknowledges these dedicated individuals and their hard-working support teams.
The following outlines the top GreenStone sales staff and teams recognized as the 2025 Circle of Excellence award winners. Stop in and congratulate these winners and the many staff who work alongside these individuals!
PLATINUM WINNERS
Agriculture Sales
Matthew Platte, Ionia
Joe Schlies, Manitowoc
Derek Tahaney, Allegan
Kelsey Maye, Jonesville
Corey Fanslau, Clintonville
Shannon Arbaugh, Sandusky
Country Living Sales
Dan Holka, Lapeer
Ashlee Guerrero, Ann Arbor
Nathaniel Warman, Allegan
Agribusiness Lending Group Sales
Dan Kaufman, Dairy Team
Sales Leader
Mike Niesyto, Country Living
GOLD WINNERS
Agriculture Sales
Joel Arends, Grand Rapids
Jake Moegle, Sandusky
Nichole Olson, Coleman
Collin Nurenberg, Ionia
Martin Kasperski, Lapeer
Miles Bowman, Grand Rapids
Country Living Sales
Jordan Hendrian, Mt. Pleasant
Miranda Kelle, Lapeer
Samuel Schafer, Ann Arbor
Agribusiness Lending Group Sales
Tara Parr, Dairy Team
Sales Leader
Tyson Lemon, Country Living Crop Insurance Sales
Kristen King, Row Crop North
Jeffrey Sparks, Specialty Crop
Jane Blaske, Row Crop South
Tax & Accounting Sales
Elizabeth Waldschmidt, Schoolcraft
Sarah Peloza-Hansen, Escanaba
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Stephanie Lundy, Adrian
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Adam Johnson, Cadillac ◀
▲ Winners gather for a photo after a special night celebrating these sales winners and their teams!
Meet our Tax and Accounting Interns!
From December through April, GreenStone was fortunate to have 15 interns helping and learning with us this tax season! During their time here, they looked over customers’ income and expense documents, helping complete tax returns for clients, as well as preparing 1099s and W-2s. Learning directly from our tax accountants and gaining hands-on experience, they were able to get exposure during the busy tax season. Being an intern at GreenStone means students can pave their way in the accounting industry to jump start a career of success.
Sadie Bennett
Education: Junior at University of Oshkosh, majoring in Finance & Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“They had a tight knit community that I admired.”
Bobby Bucaro
Education: Junior at Western Michigan University, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“I loved how friendly and inviting the team was.”
William Candelario-Ramirez
Education: Junior at Western Michigan University, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“GreenStone stood out to me because of the strong connection to agriculture and the communities it serves. Having worked in agriculture you realize the importance of supporting farmers and rural businesses. Being able to combine personal experience with interest in accounting made GreenStone the right fit for me to grow.”
Ingrid Cruz
Education: Grand Rapids Community College, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“This is my third season with GreenStone. I was not going to come back to give others a shot and join GreenStone for a season, but they called me to come back. I said “yes,” because I see GreenStone like a family. I really like the energy and positivity here.”
Donovin Fenning
Education: Sophomore at Saginaw Valley State University, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“The culture stood out to me. Everyone that was talking to me about GreenStone was saying how kind and professional the people are here.”
Emilie Filiputti
Education: Senior at Western Michigan University, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“The kindness and the smalltown feel vs. corporate really stood out to me when deciding on the companies to intern with.”
Logan Flaherty
Education: Senior at Davenport University, majoring in Business Administration
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“They help out farms and I worked on a farm, so I felt connected to the organization.”
Maggie Fonseca
Education: Southwestern Michigan College
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“It seemed like GreenStone had a nice community. From experiencing and hearing stories from farmers that I know talk about how GreenStone treats their customers, it seemed like a place I wanted to be part of.”
Alan Garcia
Education: Junior at Michigan State University, majoring in Environmental Economics & Management and minoring in Conservation & Recreation Enforcement
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“I found it very admirable that GreenStone finances smaller operations and naturalresource based projects.”
Andy Gross
Education: Davenport University, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“It just seemed like a good place to work. Having good co-workers/management is something I look for and I saw that in GreenStone.”
Mason Leach
Education: Senior at Siena Heights University, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“GreenStone stood out to me when deciding where to intern because previous students at Siena Heights have done this before and said they enjoyed it a lot. I also have not had a lot of work in tax, so I felt it could be beneficial to my education.”
Calvin Looyenga
Education: Calvin University, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“The way Greenstone stood out to me was through what they were offering. An internship where I could gain hands-on experience in a field that interests me, while being able to stay in school for that semester.”
Camille Lozmack
Education: Junior at Alma College, majoring in Business Administration
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“GreenStone stood out to me because I’ve had firsthand experience with the company through my family’s farm. I’ve always appreciated how much GreenStone values its customers and genuinely supports farmers, which made me excited to be part of the organization.”
Brooke Weber
Education: Central Michigan, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“GreenStone has a friendly and welcoming environment and that stood out to me.”
Elizabeth Whiteman
Education: Senior at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, majoring in Accounting
In what ways did GreenStone stand out to you when deciding where to intern?
“Everyone was very nice and understanding. It also seemed like I would learn a lot, which was exactly what I wanted.”
Supporting Rural Dreams of All Sizes
GreenStone has been helping farmers and families build businesses, lives, and legacies for over a century.
GreenStone is committed to supporting agriculture and our rural communities. How we provide that support looks different for each of our members – because no two farms or families are the same! We provide tailored lending and financial solutions to a wide variety of members, all across Michigan and northeast Wisconsin.
No matter the size of your operation, our team of lending experts can work with you to find a solution for your unique needs. Whether you farm five or 5,000 acres, we have financing options to support you!
One of the ways we support the rural way of life is through our part-time farm financing options. No matter your goal, from raising livestock, selling produce from your garden, or exploring hobby businesses such as beekeeping, GreenStone offers specialized lending to help you secure financing for pole barns, fencing, utility vehicles or equipment, or anything else needed for a thriving farm or rural business.
As a young, beginning, or small farmer, GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth program is designed to help you build a successful agricultural operation at whatever scale you’re dreaming of through grants, education, mentorship, and specialized financing. We
provide support to individuals who meet one or more of the following requirements:
• Be 18-35 years oldd
• Have 10 years or less of farming experience
• Earn less than $350,000 in annual gross income from production agriculture
GreenStone has been helping farmers and families build businesses, lives, and legacies for over a century. Our agriculture loan options can help cover operating costs, equipment, livestock, land, and building improvements.
We also provide agribusiness loans to those providing vital services to the agriculture industry, including vet services, customer harvesting, timber processing, food processing, storage, and more.
For those looking to build their rural life, we help residents achieve their dreams through financing for country living, including country homes, home construction, home sites, and recreational land.
We understand no two members are the same. That’s why we offer a wide range of financial services tailored to your unique needs! To find a solution that’s right for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local GreenStone branch. ◀
Taking Root and Growing Legacy: International Year of the Woman Farmer
The U.S. introduced a resolution declaring 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer with 123 countries serving as co-sponsors. This celebration is a
global commitment to empowering and recognizing the contributions of women in agriculture, and Dairy Girl Network (DGN) is excited to participate and highlight women within the dairy industry as a part of this year-long campaign.
“Taking Root and Growing Legacy” is a storytelling series created by DGN to honor the International Year of the Woman Farmer through authentic, heartfelt interviews with dairywomen across the United States. This meaningful project is a perfect fit for DGN’s mission and voice. It invites reflection, emotion, and story while staying grounded in legacy, leadership, and the experience of dairywomen. The flow of each interview is intentional: it begins with personal history, expands into leadership and community, and ends with legacy and inspiration for others. At the core of this series are the powerful stories of real women whose lives
reflect both the heart and the hard work of dairy farming - their grit, generosity, and commitment on family, farm, and community.
We invite you to nominate an inspiring dairywoman whose story deserves to be shared and celebrated! Individuals can nominate another dairywoman or themselves here: https://dairygirlnetwork.com/iywfstory-nomination/ Help us shine a light on more women in dairy across the U.S.!
You can explore more on DGN’s International Year of the Woman Farmer hub (https://dairygirlnetwork.com/iywf/) or read the impactful stories (https:// dairygirlnetwork.com/iywf/stories/). ◀
GreenStone is a proud partner of Dairy Girl Network and supporter of the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Mark Your Calendar...
GreenStone Annual Meeting –Corporate Office, East Lansing, Mich. May
GreenStone Offices Closed for Memorial Day
June
Small Town & Rural Development Conference - (1-3) Crystal Mountain Resort Thompsonville, Mich.
Wisconsin State FFA Convention - (15-18) Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.
July
GreenStone Offices Closed for Juneteenth
Michigan 4-H Exploration Days - (24-26) Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.
GreenStone Offices Closed for Independence Day
Michigan Livestock Expo - (9-11) MSU, East Lansing, Mich.
Get to know a few members of our Agribusiness Lending Group!
Heather Sackett Director of Agribusiness Operations, 39 years of service
What is your favorite part about your role?
My favorite part of my role is working alongside my team to deliver excellent customer service. Our customers are the reason we do what we do and supporting them makes the work meaningful.
What is something most people do not know about GreenStone’s agribusiness department?
GreenStone’s agribusiness lending team is spread across our entire territory rather than being based in a single location. We also partner with other Farm Credit associations to participate in the purchase
and sale of larger loan transactions to best support members.
How does your role support GreenStone’s mission of supporting agriculture and our rural communities?
My role is all about helping our members feel supported. We make sure loan documents are prepared accurately and on time. We are also available to assist with loan servicing, account questions, or online banking options. We strive to be a dependable point of contact for our members.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?
Customer relationships are not built on big promises, but through consistent follow through, especially when things don’t go as planned. Initially, I hesitated to reach out until I had a clear answer. But I realized that silence creates frustration, while proactive updates like “Here’s what we know today” builds confidence and loyalty.
Tara Parr VP of Agribusiness Lending, 15 years of service
What is your favorite part about your role?
My favorite part about being a loan officer at GreenStone is the relationships built with our members. I value the opportunity to help farms and agribusinesses grow, navigate challenges, and plan for the future.
What is something most people do not know about GreenStone’s agribusiness department?
The agribusiness lending group is firmly rooted in agriculture, with many of our team members bringing firsthand farming and agricultural experience to their roles. This background gives us a
deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities our customers face every day. We are committed to supporting the success and long-term sustainability of the agriculture industry by building strong relationships with producers and agribusinesses. How does your role support GreenStone’s mission of supporting agriculture and our rural communities?
My role focuses on building and maintaining direct relationships with farmers and agribusinesses to provide their financing needs to operate, grow, and invest in the future. By understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in agriculture, I am able to work closely with producers to structure loans that support their operations.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?
The work goes beyond lending; it’s about building long-term relationships and helping position farms for success.
Terrilynn Hastreiter
Senior Agribusiness Lending Credit Analyst, 7 years of service
What is your favorite part about your role?
My favorite part about my role is the opportunity that I get to work side by side with dairy producers. Whether it is sitting at the office table with farm families, walking the center aisle of a dairy barn, or riding around the dairy site in the pickup truck, I enjoy listening and learning from them and the vast amount of experience they have to share. The years of experience and knowledge these dairy producers carry with them is more than one will ever learn from a book.
What is something most people do not know about GreenStone’s agribusiness department?
GreenStone’s agribusiness department is a diverse group of individuals that bring a vast array of experiences and expertise to the team. The team has a variety of personal experiences from an employee’s home farm operation, prior agriculture employment outside of lending, or simply years of lending and living the highs and lows. The agribusiness department knows how to take those experiences and rally together consolidating those experiences to provide customer service and solutions at the next level.
How does your role support GreenStone’s mission of supporting agriculture and our rural communities?
My role as a credit analyst supports GreenStone’s mission of supporting agricultural and rural communities by providing credit services that are specifically tailored to each operation. No two dairy operations are the same, and each one deserves their own unique structuring that will position them to meet their goals and aspirations in future years. With this kind of involvement between GreenStone and our members, we are demonstrating we are not just a transactional cooperative, but one that finds long-term relationships a key to success for the cooperative and our member.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?
Hesitation to take that next challenge is only the next opportunity to grow personally and professionally. ◀
Developments in Sausage Making
Farm Bill 2.0 for 2026
The phrase “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made” is a well-known often misattributed aphorism that describes the chaotic, messy, and compromise-driven nature of the legislative process. This phrase suggests that while the final law product may be necessary and beneficial, the process of creating them is unappetizing, involving intense political maneuvering, lobbying, and backroom deals. This is not considered a pleasant job when the guts of the drafts are on the table, and it has been going on for centuries, in some cases creating divisions throughout history.
Actual sausage making is a natural outcome of efficient butchery which has been practiced for centuries. This also is not a pleasant process that requires strength but was
necessary to have humanity survive. There are thousands of types of sausages worldwide, Germany alone boasts having over 1,200 types. With countless variations in spices, meat types, and curing methods, the total number of sausages is almost immeasurable.
Like sausage, there are thousands of laws that have been enacted over time. These enumerable laws have sustained humanity similarly to the ingesting sausage. Some sausages taste better than others. Call out your own favorite sausage or favorite law and good luck getting a room full of people to agree on either choice.
What is long underway is the creation of a Farm Bill to replace the expired and outdated 2018 Farm Bill. While many laws impacting agriculture were addressed
in the One Big Beautiful Bill, more updates are necessary in what is being referred to as Farm Bill 2.0. Sausage making is currently underway in both chambers of Congress.
While all 12 titles of the Farm Bill are being addressed by Congress, there are aspects of Title 5, Credit, which are particularly relevant to the Farm Credit System impacting GreenStone.
• Farm Credit’s top priority: Pass a strong Farm Bill.
• Producer & Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act: Increase loan limits on FSA direct and guaranteed loan programs to better reflect the increasing costs of purchasing land and operating farms.
• Farm Credit Administration Independent Authority Act: Ensure the Farm Credit Administration is the primary regulator of Farm Credit System institutions.
• Investing in Rural America Act: Clarifying Farm Credit institutions’ authority to finance rural community facilities projects and encouraging partnerships on these projects with community banks.
• FARM Home Loans Act: Modest proposal in line with the spirit of the Farm Credit Act by allowing Farm Credit institutions to serve rural communities with a population of 10,000 or less.
• USDA Loan Modernization Act: To expand eligibility for direct loans to individuals or entity members that hold at least a 50% interest and that are or will become bona fide operators of the farm real estate acquired, improved, or supported with farm ownership, operating, or emergency loans.
The expression that laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion to how they are made, was popularized in modern context by the industrial, sometimes controversial imagery in Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle”. Laws have been upgraded as has been called for overtime. The Farm Bill 2.0 is one that needs upgrading.
The comparison to sausage making highlights the fundamental reality of democratic governance to achieve results. Politicians must trade votes, accommodate special interests, and revise initial proposals, sometimes to a point where what comes out is unrecognizable, much like grinding various meat scraps into a single sausage link. As one nation under law, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, sausage making to make the laws remains fundamental, and our voices matter in making them.◀
Thank you for being a champion of our communities and the agricultural industry!
The 2026 MI GreenStone PAC contribution campaign brought in over $26,000 from more than 250 Michigan GreenStone customers. This is another strong representation of the support members have for the MI GreenStone PAC. Your board of directors and management team are diligently evaluating legislative leaders and will be sharing the importance of rural communities, agriculture, and Farm Credit System with elected officials.
The WI Farm Credit PAC contribution campaign received over $1,500 from Wisconsin GreenStone customers. These
important WI Farm Credit PAC funds will also be disbursed by your board directors and management team in coordination after an evaluation process.
The AgriBank District 2026 Farm Credit PAC drive competition brought in over $27,000 in contributions and these funds are used to support federally elected officials. A portion of the Farm Credit PAC funds will be allocated to the GreenStone territory and your board members and management team will assist in the delivery and communication of the Farm Credit message.
As the election season marches closer, we are well positioned to carry the messages of Farm Credit and our members in rural communities and agriculture. In fact, the work has already begun with delivery of PAC checks in Michigan and Wisconsin. Our success will be determined by the strength of the relationships we have with elected officials, and that is why your support of the PACs is so important.
Thank you for being a champion of our communities and the agricultural industry. Be on the look-out for opportunities to be involved in legislative visits at our branches!◀
Strategic Vision
GreenStone is a member-owned cooperative, guided by a Board of Directors made up of individuals who are members and directly invested in our long-term success and our mission to support rural communities and agriculture. To strengthen oversight, the board includes six committees, each dedicated to key areas of the organization’s operations. In partnership with the GreenStone leadership team, these committees help maintain the cooperative’s financial stability, encourage responsiveness to industry changes and innovation, ensure regulatory compliance, and uphold accountability to both members and employees. In the winter issue of Partners, three of our committee chairs (Audit, Finance, Technology) highlighted their perspective on their respective committees. In this issue, we feature the final three committees: Executive, Legislative and Public Policy, and Compensation. Here you’ll hear from these committee chairs and learn more on your cooperative’s strategic structure, focus, and leadership.
Executive
Committee: By Peter
Maxwell, Midland County Director, Board Chair and Committee Chair
GreenStone’s committee structure allows the board to have efficient oversight and meetings. Generally speaking, we conduct Board meetings quarterly, with committee meetings occurring prior to the scheduled board meeting. The committee structure results in excellent utilization of the board’s skill set and time. It also requires a level of trust between board members knowing that others are “doing the work” on important facets within the organization. This efficiency is enhanced by allowing committee members to dig much deeper into critical topics for the association; then, each of the committees’ work is rolled up and reported to the rest of the Board during the full board meeting.
As board chair, one of my responsibilities is to chair the Executive Committee that consists of four members, including the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors and two other Board members. The Executive Committee’s purpose is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling our responsibilities for association oversight. We work with our CEO Travis Jones and his executive assistant, Cheryl Motz, to review and discuss GreenStone’s direction including vision, mission, and strategic objectives. We generally engage in discussions to surface ideas or programs to bring to the board for review and action, including evaluations and recommended bylaw changes. We also set the agenda and schedule for the meetings.
Other responsibilities of the committee include reviewing and setting board policies, regulatory changes, and other governancerelated activities; executing board and CEO evaluations; reviewing committee structures and assignments (we recently added a Technology Committee as highlighted in the Winter Partners issue); and overseeing the director election process including review of nominating regions … just to name a few!
To summarize, the Executive Committee has been chosen by our fellow board members to help guide strategy and vision in a deeper dive with our CEO. Each and every committee provides critical insight and vision for our cooperative. I’m thankful for the great group of people that guide our association and hope you are proud to be a member of GreenStone!
Compensation Committee: By Ed Reed, Cass County Director, Board Vice Chair and Committee Chair
Committees play in GreenStone’s success. Our committee focuses on ensuring fair and competitive compensation for leadership positions and staff, aligning pay structures with performance and member value. This work is critical because it helps attract and retain talented leaders who drive the cooperative forward.
As Compensation Committee Chair, I lead discussions that balance financial responsibility with the need to reward excellence. We review market data, evaluate performance, and make recommendations that reflect both industry standards
and GreenStone’s mission. It’s a thoughtful process that requires collaboration and transparency.
Committees like ours allow the board to dive into specialized areas, providing informed guidance that strengthens overall governance. Members might be surprised by how much teamwork goes into these decisions—board members and staff work closely to ensure every recommendation is practical and fair.
I’m proud to serve in this capacity because it supports GreenStone’s long-term stability and member trust.
By focusing on fairness and accountability, we help create a structure that benefits everyone. Committees aren’t just about oversight—they’re about building a foundation for continued success.
Legislative and Public Policy Committee: By Jed Welder, Montcalm County
Director, Committee Chair
The GreenStone Legislative and Public Policy Committee was formed to advocate for our Farm Credit members with governmental leaders. As farmers and rural consumers, all of our operations are different but we share a common goal of being profitable and sustainable for our families. This requires us to be active at the capitals in Lansing, Mich, Madison, Wis., and Washinton, D.C., as farm programs and legislation are brought forward that impact us.
As the committee chair, I am blessed to have incredible GreenStone staff that do the hard work day-to-day
Pause for Applause
Congratulations to John Peck of Carson City, Tom Ziel from Bad Axe, and George Zmitko from Owosso for winning Michigan Master Farmer! This award goes to the Michigan farmers who have stood out for their exceptional innovation and leadership in agriculture.
Winning Wisconsin’s 2026 Outstanding Young Farmer, we want to commend Tyler Baudhuin! From Sturgeon Bay, he is the fourth generation on the dairy farm where he helps operate in partnership with other family members.
We congratulate De Grins Oer Dairy in Blanchard who will be recognized as The Michigan State University Dairy Farm of the Year! This award recognizes them for excellent herd management and high-quality milk production. Congratulations!
Staff Anniversaries
Please join us in celebrating and thanking these staff who are marking an employment milestone. From one to 45 years, this time represents the dedication and attention all employees provide our members.
April
Hannah Stauffer 5
Shannon Elliot 10
Paul Engler 10
Bradley Hibbert 10
Sarah King 10
Shiela Shook 10
Laura Tribley 10
Mary Plume 20
Antonia Sorenson 20
Lisa Stachnik 20
Karen Spaeth 45
May
Courtney DeMello 5
David Doyle 5
Charles Hoch 5
Connie Kruse 5
Channon Turrell 5
Zongqua Xiong 5
Douglas Abel 10
Reid Curry 10
Rebecca Middaugh 10
Matthew Bowen 15
Clinton Huhn 20
Mark Klett 20
Brian Polega 20
Michelle Van Egeren 20
monitoring what may impact our members. In addition, the other board members that serve on the Legislative Committee bring decades of experience that make it easy to share our story and our members’ focus when we visit with congressmen and senators.
Having a committee solely focused on political actions like the Farm Bill in Washington, D.C., or CAFO legislation in Lansing allows us to report back to the entire board and our members before these matters impact our farms and rural communities. ◀
June
Kimberly Bement 5
Emma Briggs 5
Brennan Dufrin 5
Savannah Edmondson 5
Julie Judge 5
Kyle Long 5
Jefferey Sparks 5
Taylor Veenstra 5
Rachel Wood 10
Tara Parr 15
William Eva 20
Tara Ozbat 20
Amber Selle 20
Nichole Wilcox 20
Melissa Koehler 40
Heather Sackett 40
Join us in congratulating these teammates who recently retired from their career with GreenStone!
Stephen Junglas – retired February 3 (22 years and 11 months of service)
Jeffery Sommerfield – retired February 27 (37 years of service)
Country Living customer feature
When Plans Change, Dreams Don’t.
When the Thielens originally set out to build their dream home, they never imagined they would find it instead! Justin and his wife, Amy, and their three young children, were looking forward to a new home with lots of space and plenty of land to spend time outdoors on. Having previously financed a thirty-acre recreational property with GreenStone, the Thielens were already familiar with working with the GreenStone team.
A Change of Plans
“We initially planned to build a custom home, and since we had worked with GreenStone on financing land before, it just made sense to finance the construction of our home with them too,” explained Justin. The Thielens began preparing to sell their current home and spent close to a year preparing for the construction of their new home. “We had already developed the layout and design of the home. We even went through contractor bidding prices and were very close to breaking ground when our plans changed.” While they were searching for the right parcel of land to build their home on, the Thielens stumbled upon a home listing located in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. “We saw the property online and went out to look at it right away. As soon as we saw it, we realized this home would meet our needs better than building a home could,” said Amy.
They made the call and quickly pivoted to purchasing the home with financing through GreenStone. “We were able to transition our construction loan to a home loan. We weren’t expecting to find a home instead, but once we realized how strong of a fit the property was, we knew we had to act fast,” said Justin.
The Property of a Lifetime
The home sits on forty acres of secluded property, offering around 28 acres of tillable land, 10 acres of private woods, and a spacious yard. The long, winding driveway up to the property ensures plenty of privacy. Situated around thirty minutes from family and work for both Justin and Amy, the location is ideal.
The home is 3,200 square feet, with a main living area upstairs, and large, open kitchen and dining area, perfect for hosting family gatherings. “I have a large family, so one of the things I’m looking forward to most is hosting in our new home and having plenty of room for everyone,” said Amy.
“The opportunity to purchase a property on a large, contiguous piece of land was just too rare to pass up,” remarked Justin. “That was one of our biggest goals when looking for a property. We wanted to find a property that would allow us to enjoy peace, quiet, and privacy.”
When that reality came to fruition, the Thielens quickly reached out to their financial services officer, Jordan Hendrian, who got right
◀ The Thielen family’s new home provides endless opportunities for enjoying the outdoors, spending time together as a family, and creating lasting memories.
That was one of our biggest goals when looking for a property. We wanted to find a property that would allow us to enjoy peace, quiet, and privacy.
to work on transitioning their construction loan to a home loan.
“The whole experience working with Jordan was hands-off,” said Justin. “We were surprised how minimal the back and forth was after we transitioned over to a home loan. There really wasn’t a lot of extra documentation required.”
“It was really cool to see Justin and Amy go from a long-time dream of building their own home to finding such a beautiful property that fit their family so well listed on the market,” said Jordan. “This is going to be a great property to raise their kids on and will have plenty of room for dirt biking, hunting, and all of the other family activities that they
were looking forward to.”
Turning Dreams to Reality
Due to the amount of acreage, the Thielen’s property also required a unique appraisal process, which GreenStone worked through with them. “Despite it being a more unique situation, they took the time to work with us and maintained clear, proactive communication throughout the appraisal process,” said Justin. The entire process of purchasing the home from the time the Thielens first looked at the property to the time they closed was about 60 days. “The fact that Jordan and the GreenStone team were able to pivot so quickly after we had been planning for
construction instead of a home loan was amazing. There was even an extra thirty days in the closing process just to allow time for the sellers to find their next home. I felt like Jordan’s goal really was to help us secure our dream home no matter what,” the Thielens agreed.
Another key decision that led Justin and Amy to continue working with GreenStone is the benefit of Patronage – a return of a portion of GreenStone’s profits back to its members. “We had been receiving Patronage checks already because of our land loan, so that gave us all the more reason to continue working with GreenStone. It’s a significant financial benefit that we wanted to
keep taking advantage of.”
Enjoying Endless Possibilities
As the Thielens make their new home “home,” they are most excited for the possibilities and potential that comes with the property. “There are endless opportunities here for our family, whether it’s our kids raising 4H animals, Justin hunting on the property, or just us enjoying it as a family,” said Amy.
“When we first started this journey, we had no idea our dream home already existed. We were sure we would have to build it,” said the Thielens. “We weren’t even really looking for this property, it just kind of found us!” they laughed.
“Without the support of GreenStone, I’m not sure we would have been able to pivot so quickly to purchase this property,” said Justin.
With endless possibilities ahead of them, the Thielens look forward to all the opportunities their forever home will bring their family. ◀
When we first started this journey, we had no idea our dream home already existed. We were sure we would have to build it.
◀ Pictured left: Justin and Amy’s Senior Financial Services Officer Jordan Hendrian supported them through each step of the home buying process.
▶ Pictured right: The home sits on forty acres of secluded, private land making it a great place for the Thielen’s three children to enjoy time outside!
The Spring Dance
BY: JIMMY GRETZINGER, Michigan Out-of-Doors TV
By the time you read this, the “official” start of spring on March 20 is well behind us. Here in Michigan, that date often means very little in the big picture and this year was so different, as we were once again still shaking off the last of the winter snow and enduring those stubborn April flakes. But for the Michigan outdoorsman, spring doesn’t arrive with a date on a calendar—it arrives with the opening of turkey season.
The 2026 spring season kicks off on April 18 for many hunters across the state. It’s a tradition that has grown into a significant success story since Michigan’s first modern spring hunt in 1968. What started with just a few hundred birds harvested has blossomed into a premier hunting event, with roughly 37,000 birds taken last spring alone.
It is easy to take these numbers for granted, but the resurgence of the wild turkey is one of the more impressive turnarounds in our state’s history. At the turn of the 20th century, you couldn’t find a wild turkey anywhere in Michigan due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the Department of Conservation (now the DNR) purchased 50 birds from Pennsylvania and released them in Allegan County. From those original 50, our population has
A wild turkey has a field of vision of about 270 degrees and can detect the slightest movement from hundreds of yards away.
expanded to over 200,000 birds today, proving that these birds are as resilient as the hunters who chase them.
Part of that resilience comes from the turkey’s incredible senses. A wild turkey has a field of vision of about 270 degrees and can detect the slightest movement from hundreds of yards away. Their hearing is equally sharp; a tom can pinpoint the exact location of a hen’s yelp from half a mile off through thick timber. Although at times turkeys can seem rather oblivious, when threatened or on high alert their senses make them very difficult to hunt.
Spring is a time of rebirth, when the woods finally come alive. The dark grey landscape starts to pop with color and rings with one of the best sounds in nature: the echoing gobble of a tom turkey. Whether you are in the Upper Peninsula, the northern lower, or southern Michigan, these birds are out there, each region offering its own unique set of challenges.
Birds in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan can be harder to find, but because they aren’t as densely concentrated they can sometimes be called in a little easier. The northern lower, for many years, was considered the best spot for huntable birds, but the population has slowly
shifted toward the “land of plenty” in the southern lower. However, more birds doesn’t equate to an easy hunt. In the southern regions, getting a tom to leave his “harem” of ladies for a hunter’s call is a challenge, to say the least. But that’s exactly what makes turkey hunting so great—you’re in a conversation with a bird, trying to get him to do the exact opposite of what nature intended.
Typically, a tom or jake gobbles from his roost to let the hens know where he is, and the hens come to him. As hunters, we try to sound like a lonely hen to lure the male toward us. Essentially, turkey hunting is like a junior high dance: the boys are desperate to find a girl, and the sound of a call might just coax him over to take a look. But the ladies hold all the cards—a hen may decide to leave the dance at any moment, pulling every tom in the area along with her.
In this dance, your call is often more important than how good you sound. Whether you’re using a box call, a slate, or a mouth call, they all have their place in this ever-changing ritual. It’s hard to describe the joy of chasing these birds. But when the dance is played just right and the conversation goes well, it’s as good as a spring morning can be in Michigan’s great outdoors! ◀
Country Living –Knowledge and Resources
GreenStone publishes regular updates on our Knowledge and Resources page. Check out some of the posts you may have missed at www.greenstonefcs.com/ resources/knowledge-resources
What Is A Home Construction Sworn Statement Used For?
Whether you’re contracting out the project or doing the work yourself, understanding the sworn statement will benefit you throughout the entirety of your home construction.
Where to Start When Looking for Recreational Land
Building your dream home can feel overwhelming at first. Where should you start? What do you need to consider when it comes to where you’ll build your home, choosing a general contractor (if you decide to work with one), or how you will receive the funds for the project? Get all the answers in this helpful article! ◀
Reset This Spring with Seasonal Eating!
Have you heard of seasonal eating? There is no better time for a fresh start than this spring! Spring is the season when everything comes back to life. Winter is finally over and the trees are becoming greener, flowers are blooming, and springtime also means fresh
fruit and vegetables.
Seasonal eating is when you consume fresh fruits and vegetables that are harvested locally in your area during their peak seasons. For example, in Florida their peak navel orange season is December-February. If you visited during these
times, it would be some of the freshest oranges you could get throughout the year.
In Michigan and northeast Wisconsin, you can find a wide variety of different fruits and vegetables in their peak seasons over the next few months. In the early spring it
brings more vegetables and greens like spinach, lettuce, arugula, and kale. In the late spring you will find other veggies like asparagus, rhubarb, and peas, and soon after you’ll start to find more fruits like strawberries and cherries!
If you are not already growing these tasty fruits and vegetables in your garden, then you will be sure to find them at a local farmers’ market. An easy way to find a farmers’ market near you is researching at your local farmers’ market association – there is one in Michigan and Wisconsin. These associations will help you find your local market or different markets all over the state if you are looking to travel! Check out Michigan Farmers’ Market Association or Wisconsin Farmers Market Association for more information.
Along with finding seasonal fruits and vegetables, it is just as important to know how to enjoy them. As always, make sure you wash your fruits and vegetables before consuming. A great way to do this is to soak them in a bowl with water and a teaspoon of baking soda. After fifteen minutes rinse them off thoroughly and enjoy.
Some different ways to enjoy seasonal veggies like spinach, lettuce, arugula, and kale are in a salad or on top of a delicious burger. Veggies like rhubarb can often be enjoyed in a tart pie or pastry. In the late spring when you find strawberries and cherries, they can be enjoyed through a smoothie, dessert, or on their own.
If you’re stopping by your local farmers market, make sure to ask the vendors what their favorite recipes are for fresh fruits and vegetables this season! ◀
Family Fun Entertainment
This Spring
Spring is here, which means warmer weather and fun activities outside!
Michigan and northeast Wisconsin have many budget friendly activities to enjoy with the family this season. Whether you are a family that loves to be in nature and go for hikes or more of a family that likes to relax through botanical gardens, there is something to enjoy for any type of family this spring!
Hiking
Michigan and northeast Wisconsin are known for some of the prettiest views that surround the Great Lakes. In Michigan there are over 300 waterfalls, and in Wisconsin there are close to 100 with over a dozen of them being in the northeast region. During the spring these waterfalls will be overflowing from all the winter snow melting, making it some of the best times to go and visit them!
If waterfalls are not your thing, connect with nature at your local nature walk. Nature walks are a great way to get some fresh air, listen to birds sing, and get some exercise. Enjoy a picnic lunch while on the nature walk to spend some great family time together.
Botanical Gardens
Sticking with the nature theme, you and your family can enjoy some time at the botanical gardens this spring! Flowers will be in full bloom offering not only a beautiful scenery, but also some lovely fresh floral smells as well.
If you’re in Michigan, or looking for a place to travel, Holland has their annual tulip festival each year. The festival begins around May 1 when all six miles of tulip fields are in full bloom!
Lighthouses
Did you know there are almost 200 lighthouses located within Michigan and Wisconsin? And, you can visit most of them for free! Lighthouses offer an abundance of history and beautiful scenery in the area. Take a stop and learn about how they used to guide ships along the shoreline of the Great Lakes. While you are in the area, make a pit stop at the local beach town for lunch and a tasty treat!
Zoos
In late spring you can take a trip to explore animals you don’t typically see. Check out a zoo in your area. It is a great way to walk around and get some exercise while seeing different creatures big and small. From roaring lions to leaping lemurs, you and your family are bound to see a variety of different animals.
Local Parks
If you are not looking to travel very much this season, enjoy the warm weather at your local park! Pack a lunch and enjoy it with the family while you are there. If your local park has a basketball court, play a friendly pickup game or slide down the slides and climb across the monkey bars.
After being cooped up inside during the winter it is nice to be surrounded by family or friends and enjoy a quick adventure outside. For more family fun adventures, check out your local Michigan or Wisconsin travel site. You will find different festivals and activities that happen all year round. ◀
Commodity Cuisine
Lemon Poppy Seed Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Protein-packed cottage cheese and skim milk are the star ingredients in these luscious pancakes from United Dairy Industry of Michigan. They’re great for breakfast or a casual supper.
INGREDIENTS
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup cottage cheese, low-fat
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup milk, skim
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 3 teaspoons poppy seeds
DIRECTIONS
1. In a blender, combine eggs, cottage cheese, vanilla, canola oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and milk. Blend until smooth.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and poppy seeds). To the dry ingredients, add the blended wet ingredients. Stir until just combined.
3. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat, grease or spray if needed. Drop batter by about 1/4 cup onto the preheated skillet. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side (will depend on the heat of your skillet) or until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Serve immediately with desired toppings, such as butter, maple syrup, berries, or an icing glaze. Sprinkle with additional poppy seeds (if desired). ◀
Now is the time to sign up for hail insurance
It seems like storms producing hail are becoming far more commonplace than even 20 years ago. Hail crop insurance is a separate policy from your multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI) coverage. MPCI covers hail damage as it relates to yield and revenue reduction, but producers can also purchase separate hail coverage for their crops from the same companies that offer MPCI.
As a bonus, your hail policy can provide coverage for fire, lightning, vandalism/malicious mischief, and transit to the first place of storage. Hail insurance is based on the percent of damage received at a particular growth stage, which allows insurance companies to perform adjustments and pay indemnities during a growing season, without having to wait until harvest. Rates and coverage vary by crop and county. Keep in mind, hail insurance must be purchased before damage occurs.
Below are some other important items of note regarding hail coverage.
• Most hail crop insurance covers other perils beyond hail damage. Beyond hail, most policies also cover fire, vandalism and malicious mischief, transit to the first point of storage, and stored grain coverage if you happen to have a bin(s) at home.
• Hail coverage is available on most any crop; if you do not have a MPCI option, we can generally at least get it covered for hail.
• A customer can carry a MPCI policy as well as a hail policy and collect on both in the event of a loss.
• Hail coverage is based on a dollar amount of coverage per acre, with premium generally quoted per $100 of coverage. For example, if
someone wanted to cover their corn at $700 per acre, and the premium was 60 cents per $100 of coverage, their premium for corn would be $4.20 per acre.
• One benefit to hail insurance over MPCI is that you can insure up to the total expected value of the crop, whereas on MPCI you are limited to the coverage elected on your policy.
• Hail coverage generally has
many different endorsements available, including quality endorsements on crops intended for fresh market, canning reject endorsements, etc.
To learn more on how a hail policy works or what options are available and covered with a hail policy, contact your GreenStone crop insurance specialist today to set up an appointment to review your options. ◀
Early/Final Plant Dates
Early and final plant dates vary by crop, county, and state. Coverage levels can be reduced if a crop is planted too early or too late. Please check with your crop insurance specialist or actuarial documents for specific details and dates for your county if you are unsure about which dates apply to your policy. ◀
ImportantClaims & Appraisals
No matter what you do during the growing season, sometimes Mother Nature just will not cooperate, and you find yourself anticipating that your yields may fall below your guarantee. This is not the situation you would like to be in, but that is why you purchased crop insurance! If you do find yourself in a claims situation, there are some important things to remember to help the process go smoothly.
Insurance coverage generally begins at time of application or time of planting, whichever is later. The end of the insurance period is the earlier of destruction of the crop, final harvest of the crop, abandonment of the crop, or the end of the insurance period. (October 31 for wheat.)
It is the insured’s responsibility to notify the insurance company within 72 hours of the initial discovery of the damage or production loss, but no later than 15 days after the end of the insurance period, even if the crop has not been harvested. A phone call to your crop insurance specialist can
Prevented Plant or Replant Rules
If weather conditions prevent you from planting or you need to replant a crop, you may qualify for a claim. File a claim with your crop insurance specialist before replanting. Do not replant until you have received approval to do so or, you may not receive an indemnity. If you have a prevent plant situation, a claim must be filed within 72 hours after the end of the late planting period which varies by crop. (There is a minimum requirement of 20% of the unit or 20 acres for both replant and prevent plant claims, whichever is less.)
Some significant changes were made for the current crop year regarding both replant and prevent plant rules. Depending on the timing of the replant period, weather, and field conditions, you could be required to replant. Please contact your crop insurance specialist for the most current rules and guidelines. ◀
start the process but needs to be followed up in writing with a text or email.
If you have a revenue protection policy and have a claim based on strictly price, the insurance company must be notified within 45 days of the harvest price announcement for the crop. The RMA is enforcing these rules and have been known to decline late filed claim requests and request repayment from an insured for paid claims that were improperly filed.
Remembering these key points will help avoid any problems with your claim. As always, if you have questions please contact your crop insurance specialist to help you out. ◀
Claim Checks / Indemnity Payments
Did you know if you have a claim that results in an indemnity payment, you can have that directly deposited into your bank account? Do not wait on the mail to receive your money. Have it direct deposited on the same day your claim is finalized. Contact your crop insurance specialist for details on how to make that happen. ◀
Organic Crops
As a reminder, RMA now requires all insured organic certified producers to provide a copy of their organic crop plan and organic certificate to their crop insurance specialist before the acreage reporting date. ◀
Enterprise Units Structure
The added subsidy on the enterprise unit structure makes it an affordable option for many producers. The downside is, if you do not end up planting the required acreage, your policy can revert to a basic unit structure, and your premium could increase substantially. There are two requirements to qualify for enterprise units: You must farm in two or more separate sections, and at least 20 acres, or 20% of your individual crop acreage, whichever is less, must be planted in that second section.
Adverse spring weather has the potential to cause prevented planting which could take some producers out of enterprise unit eligibility. Make sure to contact your crop insurance specialist if you anticipate any issues with meeting the enterprise unit requirements. ◀
Acreage Reports
The earlier you get started on reporting your planted crop acres, the earlier we can process your reports and return for your review. It is the customer’s responsibility to report the crop that was planted in each section, the planting date, and your percent share of that crop. Reporting
your crop accurately and double checking everything on the Schedule of Insurance is especially important. Corrections or changes cannot be made after the July 15th reporting deadline. You do not need to report to FSA before reporting your planted acres to your crop insurance specialist. If you use precision planting technology, we can save you a lot of time reporting acres. Contact your local GreenStone crop insurance team if you have any questions or would like assistance! ◀
2026 Fall Wheat & Forage Claims
Appraisals are required when a customer plans to do something with the crop other than harvest in the normal manner. If you do not plan to take your wheat/ forage crop to harvest, we must appraise the acres prior to destruction. ◀
1st Crop/2nd Crop
Crop Insurance Calendar
If you are planning on possibly removing a first crop to plant a second, make sure you contact your crop insurance specialist before doing so. You could potentially be eligible for a claim, but you may forfeit that eligibility if you act before contacting your agent to discuss your options! ◀ April
Production Reporting Deadline for all Spring 2025 Crops
Forage & Fall Wheat Premiums Billing Date
2026 Acreage Reports Due
Forage Seeding Applications Due
Premium Billing Date
* Please note that some dates can vary by county, especially in Wisconsin. Please check with your crop insurance specialist for specific dates if you are unsure.
Livestock producers face constant market volatility, from shifting milk and cattle prices to tightening margins and unpredictable inputs. GreenStone helps producers prepare for uncertainty by providing its livestock insurance customers with a powerful suite of tools and expert resources designed to support informed decision making — available to both current dairy and livestock insurance customers and anyone applying for coverage.
“If you complete an application with GreenStone, these are all the things you get free access to without paying a single dollar,” said Ben Mahlich, senior vice president of insurance at GreenStone. “Some customers are paying over $10,000 a year for this same information—and ours is free.”
At the core of GreenStone’s offering is access to the Livestock Insurance Analyzer, a robust digital platform that
allows producers to quickly analyze Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) options, track endorsement purchases, and model customized “what if” scenarios based on price movements and coverage levels. Producers can also view historical pricing and monitor potential revenue floors, helping them align coverage decisions with their operational goals.
For added convenience, the Livestock Insurance Analyzer is available as a mobile app, enabling producers to manage insurance decisions anytime, anywhere. From requesting coverage and tracking endorsements to setting price alerts, the app streamlines the process and keeps critical information at your fingertips— whether you’re in the office or out in the barn.
“It’s more than just the analyzer and the app—it’s the market intelligence, the weekly update
It’s more than just the analyzer and the app—it’s the market intelligence, the weekly update emails, the daily text alerts, and the industry updates.
emails, the daily text alerts, and the industry updates,” Ben said. GreenStone also provides free bi-weekly dairy marketing video calls covering topics like DRP and LRP, premium levels vs. risk, and key economic indicators for dairy and livestock prices. Cattle producers receive weekly cattle market video calls focused on price drivers, risk considerations, and near term market outlooks. These sessions help break down complex market dynamics and provide context for insurance and marketing decisions, offering real world insights that go beyond a static report.
Producers also receive bi weekly emails summarizing market trends and daily text updates with timely pricing information. Together, these communications help ensure producers are never caught off guard by sudden market shifts and can act quickly when opportunities arise.
The most valuable advantage GreenStone offers to dairy and livestock customers is access to dedicated livestock insurance agents who focus exclusively on dairy and livestock risk management. These specialists work one on one with producers to explain coverage options, help align insurance strategies with business goals, and provide ongoing support throughout the year. Through brokerage partnerships, GreenStone can also extend additional market access and pricing insight, giving producers more flexibility and choice.
In today’s fast-moving dairy and livestock markets, having insurance coverage is essential—but having the right tools and expert support can make all the difference. With its combination of advanced digital tools, expert market intelligence, and specialized agents, GreenStone empowers producers to manage risk with confidence. ◀
Tax & Accounting feature
Support Through Every Season
Farmers are no strangers to change and adaptation. For Paul Schmidt of Schimdt’s Ponderosa, each season of life, and farming, has brought about changes requiring transition and readjustment. He grew up in Bonduel, Wis., with seven siblings, and started farming with his parents right out of high school.
When his father passed away in 1985, Paul, his mother Louise, and three of his siblings took on the responsibility of operating the farm. “By 1998, we were milking around 100 cows, which is double the amount
my parents had started with. At this point we knew we needed to start expanding out infrastructure to support the growth of the farm.”
Embracing this new season of change, Paul, his mother, two of his brothers, Ronald and Steven, and their sister Janet, who all owned the farm at the time, began focusing on plans for expansion to grow their herd and improve their facilities. That’s when they reached out to GreenStone. “One of my sisters-in-law actually worked for GreenStone at the time, so that’s how we got connected to our local branch.”
The Start of a Strong Partnership
Paul and his siblings began working with the GreenStone team in Clintonville, Wis. to secure financing for the expansion of the farm. “When we started working with GreenStone, we were able to construct a new free stall barn and a double-12 milking parlor, allowing for two dozen cows at a time to be milked.” This expansion allowed them to grow their herd to about 500 cows.
“I remember our mother always being very supportive of the decisions my siblings and I were making to expand our operation and continue growing it. I think she could have been very hesitant to keep making these big changes, but she trusted us to make the best decisions for the farm,” he reflected.
In the early 2000s, Paul and his wife, Renee, entered another season of change when they officially purchased the family farm from his sister Janet and brothers Ronald and Steven.
“The dairy industry was rapidly expanding in the late 1990s and early 2000s,” explained Paul. This growth and demand required constant reinvestment in both their
I remember our mother always being very supportive of the decisions my siblings and I were making to expand our operation and continue growing it.
◀ Pictured left: Three generations of the Schmidt family stand with Senior Tax Accountant Eric Vandivier (far right) outside their family farm in Bonduel, Wis.
facilities and herd size, and they continued to work with GreenStone on the growth of their operation.
With Paul’s focus on the daily operations and strategic expansion of the farm, there became less and less time available to dedicate to the farm’s financials.
He had previously worked with another accounting firm, and his brother Ronald was also helping out with the bookkeeping, but it just wasn’t efficient.
In 2002, Paul reached out to GreenStone to start getting help with the farm’s taxes. “That’s what really changed things for us,” he said.
Streamlined Services for an Efficient Operation
Twenty-four years later, Paul is still utilizing GreenStone’s tax, accounting, and payroll services, and now works with the GreenStone team out of the Little Chute, Wis. branch as well. “What I like about working with GreenStone is everything works together. They already handle all my financing, so it just made sense to have them handle our accounting work as well. Instead of going back and forth with a separate lender or accountant, GreenStone already has all our financial information.”
Through utilizing both GreenStone’s lending and financial services, Schmidt’s Ponderosa has been able to diversify and maintain steady growth over the years.
Paul and his three sons, Matthew, Peter, and Andrew now manage the farm which is milking around 2,000 cows and has expanded into embryo work for raising their own replacement stock.
The Schmidt’s tax accountant, Eric Vandivier, has been working with them for over a decade. Every two weeks, he makes a trip out to the farm to handle payroll for the farm’s 18 employees.
“I’ve enjoyed watching their operation grow over the years and just visiting them in general. We’ve developed a great relationship, and I enjoy playing a part in helping everything run smoothly.”
“Working with Eric is great because he fully understands the agriculture industry. Just having someone who knows the ins and outs of our business is essential,” remarked Paul. “It’s saved us time, and we
▶ Paul and Renee’s grandson enjoys helping out on the family farm and learning from the generations before him.
The support we’ve gotten through GreenStone from the very beginning to where we are today has helped us continue to evolve throughout the years. I’m looking forward to seeing how our farm will continue to grow through the next generation as well.
◀ Pictured left: Schmidt’s Ponderosa has grown from 100 cows to around 2,000 since Paul, his mother, and siblings began sustainably scaling the operation over two decades ago.
don’t have the stress of trying to do all the paperwork and payroll ourselves.”
A Vision for the Future
As Schmidt’s Ponderosa continues to grow, Paul is reminded of when he and his siblings began expanding the farm with the support of their mother. Now, it’s his three sons that are leading the charge on improved operations and continued growth.
“Our focus remains on sustainable growth in the future,” said Paul. “Now that my sons are starting to get more involved with the farm, they’re starting to discuss ways we can continue to expand our operation.
Paul says he recognizes that each generation of a family farm must continue growing the operation for it to remain viable. “We as farmers know what it means to adapt and change with the cycles and market shifts. I think we all are striving to do the best we can for future generations.”
One thing has remained throughout the many shifts and seasons of change Paul has seen in his time farming – GreenStone’s committed support. “The support we’ve gotten through GreenStone from the very beginning to where we are today has helped us continue to evolve throughout the years. I’m looking forward to seeing how our farm will continue to grow through the next generation as well.” ◀
Spring Tax Calendar
April
June
Individuals file a 2025 income tax return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due. If not able to file, file form 4868 to request an automatic six-month extension. If tax is due it must be paid with the Form 4868.
First quarter estimate is due for 2026 for individuals that pay estimated taxes.
Corporations file a 2025 calendar year tax return (Form 1120) and pay any tax due. If not able to file, file Form 7004 to request an automatic six-month extension.
Corporations deposit the first installment of estimated income tax for 2026
Non-farm employers file Form 941 for the first quarter to report Social Security, Medicare, and withholding.
Second quarter estimate is due for 2026 for individuals that pay estimated taxes.
Corporations deposit the second installment of estimated income tax for 2026.
July
Non-farm employers file Form 941 for the second quarter to report Social Security, Medicare, and withholding. Form 5500 is due for all employers that maintain an employee benefit plan such as a pension plan.
If not able to file, file form 5588 to request an automatic 2.5 month extension.
tip
Why Attackers Target Email First –
And How You Can Stop Them
BY MATTHEW COSGROVE, VP and Chief Information Security Officer
Email sits at the center of modern life. Banking alerts. Account passwords. Shipping confirmations. Conversations with coworkers, family, vendors, and service providers. Over time, it becomes something like a digital junk drawer — a place where everything ends up.
That is exactly what makes it so valuable to attackers.
$43 billion. That’s the amount lost globally to business email compromise schemes between 2016 and 2021, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Business Email Compromise: The $43 Billion Scam, 2022). Many of these incidents begin with a single compromised email account.
When an attacker gains access, they are not just reading messages. They can reset passwords, intercept financial communications, and move into other accounts. Email often becomes the starting point for broader account takeover.
Most compromises begin with something simple. A convincing phishing message. A fake login page. A password reused from another site that was previously breached. Once an attacker gains access, they may quietly monitor messages, create hidden mailbox rules, or forward emails to another address. The goal is usually to stay unnoticed long enough to gather useful information.
Why These Attacks Work
These attacks are effective because they rely on routine behavior, not technical weaknesses or software vulnerabilities.
Email is used quickly and often without a second thought. Messages are read between meetings or at the end of a long day, and attackers take advantage of that pace.
A message may appear to come from a trusted vendor, a login page may look identical to the real thing, and a request may match an ongoing conversation—creating a situation where nothing feels out of place.
More often than not, it comes down to timing. The message arrives when someone is busy, distracted,
Tech
Attackers also tend to be patient, taking time to observe communication patterns and understand how conversations typically flow before taking action.
or expecting a response, which makes it easier to trust without a second look.
Attackers also tend to be patient, taking time to observe communication patterns and understand how conversations typically flow before taking action.
For businesses and producers, that moment is often tied to payments. An attacker may step into an existing conversation with a supplier, buyer, or customer and send updated payment instructions that appear legitimate. The request aligns with expectations, the language feels familiar, and nothing raises concern—until the payment is sent to the wrong account.
For individual customers, the impact may look different but can be just as serious, as a compromised email account can allow an attacker to reset passwords, access financial accounts, or send messages that appear to come directly from the account holder.
There is often no immediate warning, only the realization after the damage is done.
What to Watch For
While email compromises are often subtle, there are warning signs that something may be wrong.
Unexpected password reset emails are often one of the first indicators. These may suggest
someone is attempting to access linked accounts.
Changes in email behavior can also signal an issue. Messages that are missing, automatically moved, or marked as read without action may point to unauthorized mailbox rules.
For businesses and producers, requests to change payment instructions should always be verified through a secondary method, such as a phone call to a known contact. Even small changes in wording or timing can be a sign of interference.
Unfamiliar login alerts or notifications from new locations should be taken seriously. These are often early indicators that access has already been gained.
Recognizing these signs early can prevent further impact.
If Your Email Account Has Been Compromised — or You Want to Strengthen It
If you suspect unauthorized access to your email account, or want to strengthen your account security, the following steps can help protect your information and reduce risk.
1. Use a strong, unique password
Your email password should be different from every other account you use. Reusing passwords creates a chain reaction—if one account is exposed, attackers often try the same credentials elsewhere.
Consider using a passphrase made of several unrelated words. Longer passwords are generally more difficult to crack and easier to remember.
2. Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentication adds a second step when signing in, such as a code sent to your phone or generated by an authentication app.
Even if someone discovers your password, MFA makes it far more difficult for them to access the account.
3. Sign out of all devices if you suspect unauthorized activity
Many email services allow you to sign out of all active sessions. If you believe someone may have accessed your account, changing your password and logging out all devices forces every user to sign in again.
This step is especially important if an attacker has already gained access, as it prevents them from staying connected through an existing session.
4. Check mailbox rules and forwarding settings
Attackers often create hidden email rules to help them stay undetected. These rules may automatically move messages into folders like Junk, Archive, or RSS feeds. Others may forward copies of emails to an outside address.
Review your mailbox rules periodically to confirm nothing unfamiliar has been added.
5. Review recent sign-in activity
Most major email providers allow you to see recent login activity, including locations and devices. If you notice a login from an unfamiliar location or device, take action right away by resetting your password and reviewing your account settings.
How We Help Protect You
At GreenStone, we take steps to help protect our customers from fraud. For example, we use call-back procedures on wire requests to confirm payment instructions before processing transactions.
GreenStone will never ask you in an email to provide sensitive information such as your PIN, account number, Social Security number, username, or password.
If you receive a message or phone call asking for this type of information, do not respond—even if it appears to be from GreenStone or another financial institution.
If you are unsure, contact us directly using a known and trusted phone number.
Looking Ahead
Email remains one of the most common entry points for fraud because it offers something attackers value most — access without resistance.
For both customers and producers, the risk is not just the account itself, but everything connected to it. Financial systems, vendor relationships, and personal information all flow through a single inbox.
That “digital junk drawer” most of us rely on holds more than we realize. And once access is gained, it does not take long for that access to expand.
The good news is that this risk is manageable. A few consistent actions — strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and regular account review — can prevent many of the most common incidents.
Securing your email is not just a technical step. It is one of the simplest ways to protect your operations, finances, and relationships. ◀
