SC Farm of the Year Contest

(This is a re-print of an article by Tony Melton, Florence County Extension) If you are a regular reader of this article you know that my mind has a mind of its own. I will always have a S.C. Farm Boy view of the world because I realize that I learned all the important things in life growing-up watching mama pick cotton and as soon as I could drag a harvest sack picking cotton myself. My education really hit high gear when granddaddy switched from growing cotton to butterbeans. Every bean had to be what we called “full” so I had to inspect every bean before picking, but still I only received 50 cent for every bucket picked. My parents brought me up to take myself lightly but work hard and take pride in my work. After working with other S.C. farmers for over 50 years I believe most farmers were also taught this by their parents. However, in today’s society it seems that many folks want to jump up and down and let everyone know how great they are - without the work to back it up. Humility and dignity has been tossed out the window. This may be one of the reasons why it is so hard for me to get farmers to apply for our “S.C. Farm of the Year Contest.” Really this is also one of the reasons why we call it the “Farm of the Year” instead of the “Farmer of the Year Contest.” Every farmer should be with no reservations proud of his farm – his life’s work. This is where each of you may help. It is fashionable today to connect to where your food comes from so if you are or know of anyone who is a S.C. farmer please have them send the following information by May 20th to Tony Melton, Florence County Extension Service, 2685 S. Irby St., Florence, S.C. 29505 or email to amelton@clemson.edu. 1. All contact information. 2. Farm Name. 3. Farm Size 4. Farm Cropping/Livestock. 5. Describe how you manage your labor, machinery, and technical assets to maximize efficiency. 6. Describe your plans to boost biodiversity, protect natural resources, reduce carbon footprint and engage with the public. 7. Do you participate in agritourism or other agribusiness ventures? 8. Are you a member of South Carolina Certified Grown? ArborOne Farm Credit has graciously agreed to sponsor the “3nd Annual S.C. Farm of the Year Contest.” “A little recognition for a job-well-done especially with a prize – Never hurt anybody,” like my daddy would say. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. ArborOne Farm Credit is a member of the national Farm Credit System and provides financing for agriculture, agribusiness, land, equipment and homes in the country. ArborOne's territory is the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina.

Every Dollar Counts

Every dollar counts. And on March 31, 2012, ArborOne Farm Credit put dollars back in their customers’ pockets. It’s called patronage and it’s the best deal going.

Since 1988, ArborOne has returned more than $94 million dollars in total patronage distributions to customers. This patronage refund represents approximately 22.5 percent of the interest that accrued on a customer’s loan in 2011. In other words, for every $1.00 of interest that accrued on that loan, ArborOne is refunding 22.5 cents. The patronage distribution is comprised of fifty-one percent Qualified Surplus Allocated with the remaining forty-nine percent in Non-Qualified Allocated Surplus. Approximately thirty-seven percent of the total distribution of Qualified Surplus Allocated will be paid out in cash with the remaining providing capital to the Association to be revolved in future years. ArborOne operates as a cooperative. Their customers are member-owners. The Board of Directors is made up of customers elected by customers.

“Farmers and farm businesses in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina count on ArborOne to provide dependable credit and competitive interest rates,” said Mickey Ward, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We’re pleased to be able to consistently return money to our customers, even in tough economic times.”

“On-the-farm service and knowledge of agriculture and agribusiness distinguishes ArborOne Farm Credit as the premier agricultural lender in the Pee Dee region. Agriculture is our core business,” said Kathy Heustess, President and CEO, “and our cooperative structure allows us to pay a patronage refund to our borrower/owners, reducing their overall cost of financing.”

Headquartered in Florence, South Carolina, ArborOne Farm Credit helps maintain and improve the quality of life in rural America and on the farm, through its constant commitment to competitive lending and expert financial services. ArborOne is well-capitalized and ready to lend.

Starting the Year Off Red, Right

The lure of wearing jeans every Friday in January and February while supporting a good cause - the American Heart Association – could not be denied. And that’s how ArborOne Farm Credit raised $800 for the AHA.

But that is just the beginning. During 2012, ArborOne employees will be able to pay $20 to wear jeans on Fridays. The money raised will go to a different charity each month. Suggestions will be made by the staff and a committee has been set up to determine which cause will be supported each month.


ArborOne Farm Credit, headquartered in Florence, South Carolina, is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production, rural home mortgages as well as crop and life insurance. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit www.ArborOne.com.

Shuler Announces Retirement; Heustess Named President of ArborOne

Florence, SC – ArborOne Farm Credit CEO Jack Shuler announced today that the board of directors has named Kathy Heustess president of the association effective immediately and will succeed Mr. Shuler as CEO on January 1, 2012. ArborOne is a part of the national Farm Credit System and serves the twelve counties of the Pee Dee region of South Carolina.

Jack Shuler has made the decision to retire effective December 31, 2011, after nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the Farm Credit System. Moving to Florence in 1987, Shuler has long been a driving force at ArborOne Farm Credit (formerly Pee Dee Farm Credit) and throughout the Farm Credit System; leading with integrity in many capacities during his tenure. On a national level, Shuler chaired the committee responsible for implementing Farm Credit’s Reputation Management Program and also served on the Presidents Planning Committee for twelve years. In the AgFirst district, he was the chairman of the first automated credit delivery program, Credit Pro, as well as many other appointed work groups and committees.

“Serving with passion and distinction, Jack has positively promoted local agriculture and rural America in a manner that has truly made a difference and for which we are grateful,” said Chairman of the ArborOne Farm Credit Board of Directors Mickey Ward.

Under Shuler’s leadership, ArborOne Farm Credit has grown from a company with $150 million in managed assets to over $800 million. Well capitalized, the association continues to provide credit to local farmers and agricultural related businesses.
The board has chosen Kathy Heustess as the successor president and chief executive officer. Working at ArborOne for 22 years, Heustess brings a wealth of knowledge with her into the position. Hired in 1989 as controller, she was promoted to chief financial officer shortly thereafter and in 2008 became chief operating officer. During her four years as COO, Heustess has been responsible for the day to day operations as well as deeply involved in the planning and implementation of the strategic business plan and vision for ArborOne.

As a native of Horry County, Kathy has a farming background and has spent her entire life in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. A graduate of Francis Marion University in Florence, SC, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, she holds a CPA designation in S.C.

In announcing Heustess’ promotion, Board Chairman Ward said, “This is an implementation of the association’s succession plan.” Noting Heustess’ depth of experience in the association’s financial and credit areas, he added, “Kathy is uniquely qualified for this position; her knowledge and dedication have long been recognized by the board and me.”

Before joining ArborOne, Heustess worked with Cargill, Inc. and a local CPA firm. Heustess and her husband, Billy, live in Florence, SC, and they have 2 sons.

ArborOne Farm Credit, headquartered in Florence, South Carolina, is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production, rural home mortgages as well as crop and life insurance. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit ArborOne.com.

SC Farms of the Year - from "The Link"

McLeod Farms of McBee was the SC Large Farm of the Year, an award given at the 2011 Farmers Festival in Lake City, SC. ArborOne Farm Credit sponsored the contest and Jack Shuler, President and CEO, was on hand to present the awards.

Click here to read more of the article featured in Chesterfield County's "The Link" newspaper.

SC Farms of the Year Announced at Farmers Festival

A beautiful Saturday, June 18th, in Lake City was the setting for the Fifth Annual Farmers Festival Parade, farmers market and presentation of SC Farms of the Year (Large and Small). ArborOne Farm Credit was proud to be the sponsor of these awards.

“We consider it an honor to sponsor this award and be a part of recognizing the farms and farmers of South Carolina,” said Jack Shuler, President and CEO of ArborOne, who was on hand Saturday to present the awards.

Thompson Farm & Nursery of Conway was the SC Small Farm Winner. A family operation, Thompson Farm began as a working farm in 1845. Through the years it has expanded to include educational opportunities and become an agritourism destination. Classes from all over Horry County visit Thompson Farm to see the animals, learn about farming and choose pumpkins. A highlight of the fall is the corn maze and family night movies are a fun way to enjoy the cooling weather of Saturday evenings in October and November. To learn more about Thompson Farm & Nursery, please visit their website, www.thompsonfarmandnursery.com .

McLeod Farms of McBee was the SC Large Farm of the Year winner. The orchards have been in the McLeod family since 1916. Today, Kemp McLeod represents the fourth generation to work the family orchards. Famous for their peaches, visit them year-round for black berries, strawberries, pumpkins, and many other treats that are available at the McLeod Farms Roadside Market & Museum. For more inofrmation and important dates for the annual Fall Festival, please visit McLeod Farms’ website, www.MacsPride.com .

ArborOne Farm Credit, headquartered in Florence, South Carolina, is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production, as well as rural home mortgages. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit ArborOne.com.

ArborOne Farm Credit Announces 2011 Board Election Results

Florence, SC – ArborOne Farm Credit is pleased to announce the election of Mr. J. Whit Player to the Board of Directors. Members of the agricultural financial cooperative elected Mr. Player to serve a six year term.

Mr. Player, who resides in Lee County, will join the Board at its next meeting. A graduate of Clemson University, he has been farming full-time for twenty years. Player Farms is a diversified farming operation in Lee County with approximately 1,400 acres in row crop production; consisting of cotton, corn, peanuts and sunflowers (which are used for a dove hunting operation). Player Farms also has eight turkey grow-out houses for Prestage Farms and a small amount of acreage in the Conservation Reserve Program. In addition to farming, Mr. Player is a Forestry Technician with the South Carolina Forestry Commission, a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a Dixie Youth Baseball coach, and the President of St. Charles Gin Company. Whit and his wife, Beth, have four children and live in Elliott.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve farmers and farm businesses in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina as a member of the ArborOne Farm Credit Board,” Player said. “Farm Credit serves us by being a safe, sound and reliable source of credit. The Association’s strength translates to opportunity for the local agricultural community.”

Other members of the Board include Mickey Ward, Jimmy Poston, John Lee Newman, DuPree Atkinson, Harold Stowe, Harry DuRant, and Kelly Wiseman. Elected to serve on the 2012 Nominating Committee were: Dale Player, William Lawson, Jon Stuckey, E. Cullen Bryant, Thomas Durant, and Johnny Shelley. Alternates include: Jim Chapman, Doyle O’Neal, H. Steven Brunson, and Thomas Lee.


ArborOne Farm Credit, headquartered in Florence, South Carolina, is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production, as well as rural home mortgages. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit www.ArborOne.com .