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MeadeQuarterlyNewsletter-Spring2026

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GREEN

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Chuck Meade

Seasonal Outlook

Team,

I hope this message finds everyone off to a strong start in 2026. We are excited to introduce our new quarterly employee newsletter to share important updates and stay better connected as an organization.

I have always believed that a company is the sum of its people, and our success is a direct reflection of the culture we build and the level of service we provide for our customers. We remain committed to strengthening our culture, and one of the most valuable tools in that effort is our annual employee survey. Your feedback plays a critical role in shaping our direction and identifying areas for improvement.

One of the most common themes from the survey was a desire for more communication from management regarding the direction of the company and the overall business environment. This newsletter is a direct response to that feedback and represents our commitment to listen, communicate, and take action. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share input—your voice truly makes a difference.

As this is our first edition, I want to outline what you can expect moving forward. Each quarter, I will provide updates on key strategic initiatives, organizational changes, and business priorities. We will also include a summary of our financial performance and insights into the broader business climate. Just as importantly, we welcome your feedback on topics you would like to see covered in future editions.

With the arrival of spring, we are entering one of the busiest times of the year. As many of you know, our business operates within a seasonal cycle that brings both opportunity and increased demands. While we cannot change the seasonality of our industry, we continue to focus on improving efficiency during slower periods to better position ourselves for the peak spring months.

Business Climate

Early indicators suggest a strong lawnmower season, assuming favorable weather conditions. The cattle industry continues to benefit from strong demand and pricing, helping offset rising input costs such as fuel and fertilizer.

From a sales perspective, the first quarter has been very strong, with overall equipment sales increasing more than 50% compared to last year. Turf sales are up approximately 20%, while total whole-good sales have increased around 40%. While this is typically one of our slower quarters, these gains are an encouraging sign as we move into the peak season.

Parts sales increased modestly by 3%, while service revenue declined approximately 6% compared to last year. We expect both areas to improve as customer activity increases in the coming months.

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You may have also noticed a significant increase in equipment inventory across our locations. This is a strategic investment designed to support continued growth in sales and market share, while also driving future parts and service opportunities through increased unit activity.

Financial Overview

Overall, total sales are up approximately 20% for the quarter, driven primarily by growth in whole-goods. However, gross profit has increased by only 1.88%, reflecting the lower margin profile of equipment sales compared to parts and service.

Operating expenses have increased by over 15%, largely due to higher salaries and employee benefits. We remain committed to providing industry-leading compensation and benefits and achieving that goal will require continued growth in sales and market share.

Thank you again for your hard work and dedication as we begin 2026. I look forward to seeing many of you in person over the coming months and appreciate everything you do to support our customers and our company.

Thanks for all you do, Chuck

Meade

SAFETY BEGINS WITH ME

SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS.

If you see something that you feel is unsafe, bring it to your supervisor’s or store leads attention.

EXITS FIRE EXTINGUISHERS CLEANLINESS

Making sure Exits are clearly marked and free of clutter, and exit signs are operating.

Making sure Fire Extinguishers are inspected and up to date and hanging on the wall readily available in case the need arises.

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

Cleanliness, getting in the habit of cleaning up after each job helps to keep work areas clean and free of clutter.

Greetings,

I’m excited to introduce our new quarterly newsletter, created specifically for you. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback to help us reach the point of launching Inside the GREEN!

The purpose of this newsletter is twofold. First, we want to keep you informed on what’s been happening across our 16 locations (including the corporate office) over the past 90 days. Second, we aim to provide a high-level view of key trends, initiatives, and projects we are actively working on—along with our progress to date.

With that, I’d like to take a few moments to share updates on both.

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Anvil System Transition

We’re excited to share that we have successfully transitioned to our new system, Anvil, which replaces our previous sales workflow and inventory management platforms.

With the implementation phase now complete, I want to thank each of you for approaching this transition with an open mind. As we move into the refinement phase, we are confident that Anvil will enhance efficiency across both sales and aftermarket operations as adoption increases and we work through the normal adjustments that come with any major system change.

We look forward to your feedback as we continue to improve the system.

ExpertConnect Phone System Rollout

We have successfully on-boarded three locations to ExpertConnect as their phone system. Bryan Puckett led the charge, with the Mt. Sterling team being the first to go live. Working closely with our IT team, they helped test and troubleshoot the system to ensure a smooth rollout.

Shortly after, two Division 1 locations, Wytheville and Bluefield volunteered to come onboard. This marks a significant step forward and opens the door to new opportunities as we continue enhancing our customer experience.

We will resume onboarding after the 2026 busy season. If you’re interested in being next, please let your Division President and IT team know so we can begin planning for the fall.

2026 Annual Employee Survey

We had a strong turnout for our Annual Employee Survey, with over 71% employee participation. Thank you to everyone who took part. For those who didn’t, we encourage you to participate next time— this is a valuable opportunity to provide candid feedback, both positive and constructive.

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

We recently received an executive summary of the results. While we are still in the early stages of reviewing the full data, a few key themes stood out.

Opportunities for Improvement:

• Corporate communication gaps

• Health insurance concerns

• Limited career advancement opportunities

• Survey fatigue

Organizational Strengths:

Three of the four top strengths are directly tied to our culture.

• Coworker relationships

• Trust in direct supervisors

• Work-life balance

This feedback is encouraging and reinforces the importance of culture in our long-term success. As we move forward, we are committed to ensuring we have the right people in place to positively influence culture at every location.

The fourth strength—John Deere brand pride—speaks for itself. We are proud to be aligned with such an iconic American brand. While we have not yet completed a deep dive into the survey results, our leadership team will be dedicating significant time over the next several weeks to analyze the data and develop a clear action plan. You can expect follow-up communication within the next 45 days, outlining our strategy for addressing these opportunities and building on our strengths.

This is an exciting time to be part of Meade Tractor. We have a strong partner in John Deere and, more importantly, a dedicated team in each of you. With 15 years behind us, there is no question—our best days are still ahead.

Sincerely,

EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION SURVEY

At Meade Tractor, we are dedicated to making our company the best place to work, and we asked to hear from you! To help us continue improving, we teamed up with SATISFYD to launch our 2026 Employee Satisfaction Survey in March. Based on survey participation, we would like to congratulate our Harlan, Kentucky store for ending with 100% employee completion!

Thank you for your hard work and for helping us shape the future of Meade Tractor. We truly appreciate your commitment!

ANNUAL PET PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

In recognition of National Pet Day on April 11, 2026.

MEADE TRACTOR | Inside The Green

2nd Place Photo
3rd Place Photos
Emily Smith | Mills River, NC
R.C. Sheets | Corporate
Logan Hobbs | Georgetown, KY
Matthew Bennett | Somerset, KY
Bill Hughes | Abingdon, VA
Bill Hughes | Abingdon, VA
Jennifer Knull | Corporate
Brandon Marcum | Somerset, KY
Joanie Kowalski | Georgetown, KY
Kelly Gunn | Corporate
Chase Gillispie | Georgetown, KY
Jeff Fry | Wytheville, VA
Robbie Douglas | Danville, KY

MEET THE TEAM MONDAYS

MARK TATE | Parts Manager | Wytheville, VA

Years of Service - 13 Years

What I enjoy most about working at Meade TractorBeing able to help people with their equipment repair needs.

Favorite Restaurant - Cracker Barrel

Favorite Drink - Sweet Tea

Favorite John Deere Machine - X580

ANTHONY YOUNG | Parts Manager | Bluefield, WV

Years of Service - 19 Years

Years of Experience - 32 Years

What I enjoy most about working at Meade TractorHelping our customers.

Hobbies - Antiquing for old farm related items.

MEADE TRACTOR | Inside The Green

CURTIS HAWKINS | Sales Representative | Mills River, NC

Years of Service - 15 Years

What I enjoy most about working at Meade TractorThe employees and customers.

Favorite Food - Steak

Favorite Drink - Sweet Tea

Favorite John Deere Machine - Gators

Hobbies - Taking care of my livestock, collecting antique John Deere tractors and growing Christmas trees.

JASON MEARS | Service Technician | London, KY

Years of Experience - 30 Years

What I enjoy most about working at Meade TractorA workplace that provides a different challenge around every corner, the people and the atmosphere.

Hobbies - Finishing the building process on our house and molding our land into our little paradise in Kentucky.

Just like tidying up your home clears space and boosts your mood, spring cleaning your finances can bring clarity and peace of mind. Winter may have left clutter in your living room — and possibly in your wallet, too. Taking time now to reset your personal finances can help you feel more in control and better prepared for what lies ahead. Here are six practical ways to clean up your finances and align them with your long-term goals:

1. REEVALUATE AND ADJUST YOUR BUDGET

Spring is a good time to take a fresh look at your monthly budget. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck or struggling to hit savings goals, your budget may not reflect your current financial reality. Many people build a budget and then forget to update it as life changes. Overspending on non-essentials like dining out or subscriptions can leave little room for debt payments or savings. Start by listing your monthly income and fixed expenses. Then, trim back your “wants” to ensure essentials and goals like your retirement account and emergency fund are covered. As summer approaches, anticipate seasonal changes in spending — vacations, childcare, and changes in utility bills often throw off monthly plans. Adjust your budget now to stay ahead of those expenses.

2. REVIEW YOUR CREDIT ACCOUNTS

Keeping your credit in good standing is essential to maintaining financial health. Review your credit report for errors, unfamiliar accounts, or signs of identity theft. Monitoring your credit helps ensure no one has opened accounts in your name without your knowledge. Examine each credit card and loan statement carefully. If you find purchases you didn’t authorize, report them immediately. Even small charges can accumulate and cost you interest. Staying vigilant can help you improve your credit score and secure better interest rates on loans, credit cards, or future debt consolidation options.

3. CANCEL UNUSED SUBSCRIPTIONS

With the rise of streaming platforms and other software-as-a service (SaaS) tools, it’s easier than ever to lose track of monthly subscriptions. Many people sign up for a free trial, forget to cancel, and end up paying for services they no longer use. Take time to comb through your bank and credit card statements. Identify any recurring charges for subscriptions you didn’t realize were active. Cancel those you no longer need. While a $9 charge may seem insignificant, multiple unused subscriptions can drain your budget and slow your progress toward your financial goals.

4. BUILD OR BOOST YOUR EMERGENCY FUND

If you haven’t reviewed your emergency fund recently, now’s the time. Inflation has raised the cost of living, and what used to cover three months of expenses may no longer stretch as far. Financial experts recommend saving enough to cover at least three to six months of essential living costs. If you’re already there, consider saving a bit more to account for rising interest rates, job uncertainty, or unexpected expenses. Store this money in a high-yield savings account so it earns interest while remaining accessible. An emergency fund brings peace of mind, prevents reliance on high-interest credit cards during a crisis, and strengthens your overall financial plan.

5. MAKE A PLAN TO PAY OFF DEBTS

If you’re carrying high balances or struggling to make progress, it’s time to develop a specific plan to pay off debts. Begin by listing what you owe — credit cards, loans, and any other obligations — along with interest rates and minimum payments. Next, decide how you’ll attack your debt. Some people use the debt snowball method (tackling the smallest balance first), while others prefer the avalanche method (targeting the highest interest rate). Either strategy works as long as you’re consistent. If your debt feels overwhelming, consider speaking with an Empeople financial guidance expert about debt consolidation. Consolidating into a single payment with a lower interest rate can simplify your repayment and help you reach your financial goals faster.

6. REEVALUATE YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

Now that you know where your finances stand, it’s important to see if your long-term financial goals are still realistic and achievable. If your current goals seem too far-fetched, you might want to break them down and try to find more short-term goals to help you reach the longer-term goals. As you reevaluate your goals, consider whether you’ve had significant changes over the past several months or years since you set the goals. This could put your financial goals out of date, and it could be a leading cause of you not reaching your expected destination. You need to set realistic goals that can be achieved within your current budget and lifestyle.

BOTTOM LINE

Spring is a great time to clean up your home, yard, and finances. By evaluating how your current finances are compared to your expectations, you can be honest with yourself about where you need to go and what you need to do to get there. Regular cleaning up of your finances can make all the difference in a happy life.

NEW TO THE TEAM

MATT BEASLEY | Sales Representative | Christiansburg

WILLIAM CANNON | Sales Representative | Wytheville

ISAAC GRAHAM | Service Technician | Johnson City

ZACH HODGES | Utility | Johnson City

JOANIE KOWALSKI | Branch Administrator | Georgetown

SAWYER LEWIS | Service Technician Trainee | Johnson City

JON OAKS | Service Writer | Johnson City

DAN OLTHOFF | Customer Service Representative | Greeneville

JOHNATHAN SAUNDERS | Customer Service Representative | Bluefield

EMILY SMITH | Service Writer | Mills River

REBECCA SUTHERLAND | Service Writer | Georgetown

JESSICA WALLACE | Service Writer | Mt. Sterling

CUTTER WILSON | Customer Service Representative | Greeneville

JAMES WORRELL | Service Technician | Christiansburg

COREY DAVIS | Service Technician | Wytheville

BRAD CARMICKLE | Delivery Driver | Georgetown

Q1 New Hires: January - March

MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

FEBRUARY

2/6/26 – LEAH MATNEY – 20 years

2/8/26 – JEFF BENNETT – 20 years

MARCH

3/11/26 – CHASE COOPER – 10 years

3/28/26 – TODD REYNOLDS – 10 years

TRAINING COMPLETIONS

LEVEL 3 CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN DANIEL LANGFORD | Service Technician | Danville

EMPLOYEE REFERRAL PROGRAM | HOW IT WORKS

REFER AN INDIVIDUAL TO MEADE TRACTOR & RECEIVE UP TO $500 FOR EACH SUCCESSFUL HIRE!

INCENTIVE AMOUNTS:

$250 Upon Referral Hire, PLUS $250 After Referrals 90 Days

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