AGAware® sessions to be held in August in Louisville and Tifton

Article and Photos by Corey Cottle & Rhonda Shannon

AGAware®, a national award-winning educational program for young, beginning, small and minority farmers is proudly being offered by AgGeorgia throughout our 79 county territory at no cost to attendees. As an advocate and supporter of the next generation of farmers, AgGeorgia offers these financial training workshops twice a year to producers who wish to develop a better understanding of how to run a successful agricultural operation. 

There are few things that Charlotte, North Carolina and Perry, Georgia have in common. Even though they both are considered to be in the south and the summer weather with the heat and humidity are comparable, the winter weather for the two is likely just as much of a contrast as the population and landscape. The allure of the two areas differs vastly in so many ways. The busyness of Charlotte can be unappealing to most folks, on a daily basis that is, with its large, potentially impersonal and prosaic corporate mindset.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit is proud to provide an annual internship program each summer that is specifically designed for college junior and seniors. The 10-week program gives a 360 degree look at the functions of the daily routines of the branch offices and allows the interns to explore ag lending at AgGeorgia. A mentor is assigned for guidance through the many facets of farm lending with opportunities for them to observe areas of executive management, operations, appraisals and branch lending.

“You’ll never meet a more hard-working man.” That’s the description Lee Lister, Loan Officer in the Perry Branch of AgGeorgia Farm Credit uses to describe his customer, Kirkland Smith. 

Proper resource management is crucial to any successful business operation. Resources of people, equipment, materials and cash flow should be utilized effectively. Financing options like equipment, vehicle or facilities leasing can be another tool in the toolbox to help manage your business. This can be a great way to maximize tax benefits, preserve capital and manage capital expenditures in the most efficient way.

Why Lease?

For many years, AgGeorgia Farm Credit has sponsored and supported the involvement of students and youth and the activities that foster positive benefits. In many ways, their lives likely have been impacted by organizations that encourage, instill and instruct future leaders on how to be useful and contributing members of our society. While AgGeorgia primarily concentrates on those involved in agricultural outlets, the overall goal is to be a catalyst that will be advantageous to youth, their future employers and their communities.

With the challenges our nation has faced over the last twenty four months, it would be somewhat understandable if each of us had the mindset of taking care of our individual best interests. Whether shortages in the grocery store or attempts to stay healthy and safe, the extraordinary Covid-19 pandemic, without a doubt has been an opportunity for the demonstration of the best of human compassion and kindness or for the exhibition of the epitome of innate human selfishness. Fortunately, there is always good if you know where to look for it.

In the English language, several words are closely related and virtually inseparable in meaning until the depth or context of their use is measured. As examples, words like connected and correlated, tired and exhausted, scared and afraid or real and genuine, just to name a few. Another example of similar words comes to mind when considering the farming operation of brothers Judson and Mark Herrington of Twiggs County – heritage and legacy. The appreciation that both of these men have for both of these words impacts their lives on a daily basis, whether on or off the farm.