HeartBeat Summer 2017 | Page 27

Members of the first FCS Financial Connect program took the stage at the Commercial Farmer Symposium in January to receive certificates commemorating their participation. Connect is a program developed by FCS Financial for young and beginning farmers to help them realize their full potential and find success on the farm. These members participated in Connect’s knowledge sharing segment which consisted of attending five meetings over an 18 month period. Topics included earning about FCS Financial as lender, goal setting, credit reporting, business communication, advocacy, risk mitigation, record keeping and business plan development. Connect also offers credit standards reflective of a young, beginning operation, cooperative representation and communication with peers and mentors. Employees from the FCS Financial Harrisonville and Higginsville offices volunteered at Harvesters in Kansas City in June. Harvesters recently added a “clean room” allowing them repackage bulk food. According to their website, Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 620 not-for-profit agencies including emergency food pantries, community kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes and others. Each year, FCS Financial offices host Customer Appreciation Day to recognize our members and distribute patronage checks. Below from left are pictures from the West Plains, Union and Macon offices. HEARTBEAT | SUMMER 2017 27