By Joann Pipkin
security for tomorrow
The risks in agriculture aren’t any fewer for part-time farmers.
Young, part-time producers like Charlie Lee count on crop
insurance from FCS Financial to help them plan for the future.
Charlie Lee, Gilliam, Mo.
Serviced by Shelby Twenter, Marshall FCS Financial Office
In addition to working off the farm for Sydenstricker
Implement in Salisbury, Lee had also worked since high school
on the family’s C&L Farms with his dad, Chuck. With a desire
to farm more on his own, three years ago Lee turned to FCS
Financial for assistance with operating and equipment loans
as well as crop insurance. Today, Lee raises soybeans and corn
on his own while still helping his dad and maintaining his off-
farm job. He hopes to eventually farm full-time.
“I’ve really had a good experience with FCS Financial,” Lee says. “As a beginning farmer, they have rates that are specifically
designed to help producers like me.”
Crop insurance adds security to Lee’s operation. “I don’t look forward to using it to make money,” he explains. “The security of
it is really beneficial to prevent a complete crop loss.”
Having a good support team has been critical to Lee’s success on the farm. From FCS Financial to his wife, Laurie, and dad,
Lee is quick to credit each one for helping him get his start in farming. While Lee owns some of his own equipment, he’s also
able to share equipment with his dad. “For this whole thing to work, it’s absolutely not possible in my opinion to just decide you
want to farm.” Lee explains. “The guys that are able to make it work must be willing to work hard and sometimes be willing to
work off the farm.”
Keeping his expenses in check and focusing on marketing strategies have also helped Lee develop a successful operation. Crop
insurance works hand-in-hand with that. Without on-farm storage, Lee focuses on yield projections and hedging to market his
crops at a time when he anticipates the market will bring him the most return.
Lee and his dad worked in 2017 with FCS Financial when their corn crop called for a re-plant. “FCS Financial is always there
and ready to help immediately,” Lee says. “If I ever have a question, they work to answer it.”
With corn already better than ankle high, a hailstorm “hammered it,” Lee says. “I called our FCS Financial crop insurance
specialist and the insurance adjuster came out. We ended up tearing that crop up and replanting. It was a good thing we did,
because that particular 70 acres ended up making 241 bushels or so,” Lee says.
While Lee hopes he doesn’t have to collect on a portion of his soybean crop, he knows his crop insurance will provide security
in case he needs it.
“FCS Financial has good programs for young farmers,” he says. “They’re always available whether I call, text or email them.
There’s no need for me to even look anywhere else for my crop insurance and financial needs.”