DAVE ’ S VIEW
David Janish , CEO
July 17 , 1916 . Few individuals may know the significance of this date . Honestly , prior to a year or so ago , I probably could not have come up with any relevant answer either .
So why is July 17 , 1916 , noteworthy ? On this date , President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Farm Loan Act of 1916 aimed at increasing credit to agriculture . At that time loans to farmers were considered very risky and American farmers lacked a reliable source from which to get credit . The Federal Farm Loan Act created what is now known as the Farm Credit System to ensure that agriculture had a stable , dependable and affordable source of credit . Likewise , it set the stage for what has become FCS Financial , your financial cooperative .
On July 17 , 2016 , FCS Financial and our sister organizations in the Farm Credit System will celebrate our 100th anniversary . Much has changed in agriculture during the past 100 years . Farmers from 1916 would be amazed by the size , scale
4 HEARTBEAT | SUMMER 2016
and sophistication of some of today ’ s agricultural producers . They would see a more diverse and complex industry and greater impact from global competition . And they would see an industry that goes far beyond the traditional view of agriculture and includes part-time farmers , specialty crops , agribusinesses , rural infrastructure and much , much more .
Just as agriculture has changed during these 100 years , Farm Credit has changed to continue to meet the needs of our member-owners as well . At one time Missouri was served by many associations , each serving a small number of counties . Today , FCS Financial serves 102 counties in Missouri and our branch offices are much larger than any of those original associations . However , one thing that has not changed is our commitment to support agricultural producers and rural communities through good times and bad . This has been our mission for 100 years and this will continue to be our mission for the next 100 years .
Why have FCS Financial and Farm Credit been successful ? In my opinion , our success can be summed up in two words : “ the people .” Much of what has been accomplished over these 100 years is due to the commitment and dedication of our member-owners , our directors and our employees . They laid a solid foundation upon which the Association has grown and thrived . Likewise , our success going forward will be accomplished through the vision and determination of the next generation of members , directors and employees . Based on my experience with each of these groups , I believe FCS Financial will continue to be the organization that agriculture and rural communities can depend on to provide the highest levels of expertise , understanding and service through all agricultural economic cycles .
It is because of this commitment to the future that I am extremely proud to announce that the FCS Financial Board of Directors has approved the creation of the FCS Financial Rural Community and Agriculture Foundation . The Foundation is our long-term commitment to the industry and the communities in which our members and our employees live and work . The intent of the Foundation is to target and fund long-term opportunities in agriculture and rural communities that align with the goals , objectives and values of FCS Financial .
The Farm Credit System was created to serve agriculture by being a consistent and dependable source of credit to agriculture and rural communities . The Farm Credit System and FCS Financial have been that source just as Congress intended in 1916 . Great job and thank you to everyone who has made this year of celebration possible . It is now time to turn our focus to the future and lay the foundation for the next 100 .
Best regards ,