spotlight Summer 2015

PATRONAGE: A RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT WITH FARM CREDIT WEST PAGE 4

MERGER UPDATEPAGE 7

MEET OUR DIRECTOR CANDIDATES PAGE 6

PAGE 2

spotlight

TABLE OF CONTENTS

President’s Message ..................................... 3

Patronage: Providing a Return on Your Investment with Farm Credit West .................................... 4

2015 Scholarship Recipients .......................... 5

Meet Our Director Candidates .................... 6

Merger Update ....................................... 7

Board of Directors Nomination Process ......... 7

Multiple Dimensions of Stewardship .............. 8

Meet Our New Portfolio Managers ................ 9

Community Center ................................. 10 – 11

• House Farm Workers! Brings Awareness

• Farmland Featured at the SLO Film Festival

• Farm Credit Multicultural Scholars

Young Farmer and Rancher Executive Institute ....................................... 13

Holiday Schedule .........................................14

4 Tips to Avoid Phishing Trips .......................14

Territory and Office Locations .......................15

spotlight

WHO WE ARE

One of California’s leading agricultural lenders, Farm Credit West is a cooperatively-owned lending institution providing financial services to farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses with offices located in the California Central Coast, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento Valley.

SPOTLIGHT is produced for the customers, employees and friends of Farm Credit West. Comments and story ideas can be submitted to the Marketing Department, Farm Credit West, 1478 Stone Point Drive, Suite 450, Roseville, CA 95661.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Blake Harlan, Chairman of the Board .........................Woodland, CA

Joey Airoso, Vice Chairman of the Board ...........................Pixley, CA

Robert Amarel, Jr. ........................................................Yuba City, CA

Alben F. Barkley ..............................................................Oxnard, CA

Gregory O. (Butch) Dias, Jr. .............................................Visalia, CA

Richard J. Enns ..........................................................Bakersfield, CA

Douglas C. Filipponi ......................................................Creston, CA

Adam B. Firestone .........................................................Buellton, CA

Craig C. Gnos ....................................................................Davis, CA

Robert N. Hansen ......................................................... Hanford, CA

Thomas R. Heenan ......................................................Yuba City, CA

Barry Powell .............................................................Sacramento, CA

Edgar Terry .....................................................................Ventura, CA

Sureena B. Thiara ........................................................Yuba City, CA

Farm Credit West will ensure THE CUSTOMER

COMES FIRST by providing superior service

at competitive rates, in a timely, professional

and ethical manner.

Mission Statement

PAGE 2

PAGE 3

Summer 2015

In this edition of Spotlight, we highlight stewardship activities of your association, Farm Credit West. Stewardship is defined as the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.

No one is closer to the land than farmers and ranchers like you. Every day you are stewards of the land, water, and additional resources needed to keep not only your business but the community you live in thriving.

At Farm Credit West we promote a culture based on stewardship by living out our mission statement “THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST.” We recognize your continued success in agriculture can benefit from our strategic actions of stewardship. Providing sustained financial performance enables us to serve our customers, provide jobs, and support communities while meeting our responsibilities to you our customer-owners.

Stewards of the Cooperative

Your Board of Directors exhibit stewardship by maintaining adequate capital levels and ensuring the customer-owners interests remain our top priority.

You as stockholders are also stewards of the cooperative by exercising your right to elect board members and vote on key initiatives. I encourage you to access specific information about board candidates by visiting our web site as described in the Meet Our Director Candidates article on page 6.

Stewards of the Community

I’m proud to say that in 2014 Farm Credit West contributed more than $675,000 in stewardship support to education, research, local food programs, industry initiatives, rural communities, and youth programs. The graph to the right depicts the stewardship support Farm Credit West provided in 2014. During the same period, Farm Credit West’s 215 employees donated more than 9,100 hours of community service to a wide range of local agricultural and community

Stewardship organizations and causes. These service hours have increased over the prior year partly due to Farm Credit West’s implementation of a new program providing each employee with 24 hours to serve their communities. Many of our employees provide additional time outside of work to serve their communities as well.

Stewards of the Future

Investing in the future of the association and the agricultural industry is imperative to growth and sustainability. Some of the key programs Farm Credit West demonstrates stewardship in include:

• Education to the next generation of customers through our Young Farmer and Rancher Executive Institute

• College scholarships for upcoming agricultural leaders

• Training, mentoring and promoting leaders within Farm Credit West staff to key roles

At Farm Credit West, we continue to look for ways we can turn our stewardship philosophy into actions that will directly benefit you, our customers, our communities, our cooperative and the farmers of the future who will undoubtedly depend on the legacy we leave behind.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Mark Littlefield, CEO

PAGE 3

YOUTH PROGRAMS$142,000 (21%)

RURAL COMMUNITIES$104,000 (15%)

INDUSTRY SUPPORT$337,000 (50%)

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH$55,000 (8%)

LOCAL FOOD PROGRAMS$37,000 (6%)

PAGE 4

spotlight

PAGE 4

Patronage: Providing a Return on Your Investment with Farm Credit West

Farm Credit West paid a record $57 million in patronage distributions to more than 4,400 farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses in California and Nevada. The Board of Directors declared patronage distribution at 75 basis points (0.75%) relative to the average volume of eligible loan and lease assets. Paid entirely in cash, this patronage payment translates to a 75 basis point reduction in customer-owner’s effective interest rate paid during 2014.

As owners of the financial cooperative, Farm Credit West’s customers have the opportunity to share in the financial success of the cooperative through patronage distributions. Farm Credit West’s patronage program has paid $362 million since the program’s inception in 2002. This year’s patronage distribution is 35% of 2014 net earnings.

“The ongoing success of Farm Credit West is attributed to our “Customer Comes First” model, growth in agricultural lending and on our continued focus on maintaining a highly efficient operation. Our patronage program reflects the financial strength of Farm Credit West and in-turn our customers receive a cash advantage.” – Mark Littlefield, CEO of Farm Credit West

Patronage Distribution (in millions) and basis points (BPS)

PAGE 5

Summer 2015

PAGE 5

Patronage: Providing a Return on Your Investment with Farm Credit West

Congratulations to Our 2015 Scholarship Recipients

Sarah Dreyer Exeter, CAOregon State UniversityMajor: Animal Science

Dan & Patty Dreyer

Eleanor Harlan Woodland, CACal Poly, SLOMajor: Ag Business

Blake & Melissa Harlan

Anna Hinrichs San Miguel, CACal Lutheran UniversityMajor: Ag Engineering

Bill & Teresa Hinrichs

Cornelius Kasbergen Woodland, CACal Poly, SLOMajor: Ag Business

Jack & Ellie Kasbergen

Meet Our New Scholars:

Maggie Madden Paso Robles, CATexas A&MMajor: Ag Economics

Tom & Lori Madden

Matthew Mccue Fairfield, CAUC DavisMasters: International Ag Development

Co-Owner of Shooting Star CSA with Lily Schneider

Elena Montemagni Visalia, CAUniversity of Nebraska, LincolnMajor: Pre-Veterinary

Eric & Maria Montemagni

Matt Pandol III Delano, CAPurdue UniversityMajor: Agronomy

Matt Jr. & Linda Pandol

Farm Credit West would like to congratulate our 12 scholarship winners. These scholarships are given to individuals who are devoted to making a difference in their agricultural communities. They have each earned a $1,500 scholarship towards higher education for the 2015-2016 school year.

Scholarship recipients that continue to maintain academic excellence are eligible to renew their $1,500 scholarship for up to three years after their initial award, making the total scholarship award available

$6,000 per scholar. For those students renewing their FCW Scholarship please send your 2014-2015 transcripts to scholarships@farmcreditwest.com by July 1st, 2015.

If you would like more information about the Farm Credit West Scholarship program please visit www.farmcreditwest.com. Information is under Community Support.

William Pearce Yuba City, CACal Poly, SLOMajor: Ag Science

William B. Pearce and Vanessa Helder

Lauren Reade Santa Maria, CACal Poly, SLOMajor: Ag Communications

Craig & Christine Reade

Noah Rollin Riverdale, CAFresno StateMajor: Mechanical Engineering

Donny & Christina Rollin

Jasmine Singh Yuba City, CACal Poly, SLOMajor: Agribusiness

Azad & Bertha Singh

Over the last 21 years Farm Credit West has awarded over $635,000 in scholarships

PAGE 6

spotlight

PAGE 6

Meet Our Director Candidates

In order to provide our customers with the opportunity to learn more about the candidates for the Board of Directors, we have created individual videos in which the candidates provide information about themselves and their qualifications to be on the board.

The full director candidate biographical information will be included in the ballot mailing, and after ballots are mailed, video statements from each candidate will be posted on our website starting May 22. To view these videos visit www.farmcreditwest.com then look under Learn More About Us and select Director Elections.

Summary biographies of the director candidates:

COASTAL REGION – POSITION NUMBER 1(5-year term)

Douglas Filipponi incumbent, is a Creston resident. During the past five years, Mr. Filipponi has primarily been involved as co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Ancient Peaks Winery (a producer and marketer of wine grapes), president of Filipponi & Thompson Drilling, Inc. (which drills water wells), and managing partner of Margarita Vineyards, LLC (a producer and marketer of wine grapes). He is also managing partner of Santa Margarita Cattle Company, LLC and owner-operator of Vaquero Water Ranch (a cow-calf ranch). Mr. Filipponi serves on the Farm Credit West Enterprise Risk Management Committee.

Paul Allen is a Santa Maria resident. During the past five years, Mr. Allen has been President of Main Street Produce, Inc. and Freshway Farms, LLC. The family business grows and ships strawberries and broccoli farmed across the Santa Maria valley. They also provide cooling services for other strawberry and broccoli shippers in the Santa Maria valley. Mr. Allen is the founder and Executive Director of Solid Rock Ranch, which is a non-profit Christian organization providing assistance to children and families in need. He also serves as the Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair for the Santa Maria Salvation Army. He is a former member of the Board of Elders of Grace Bible Church in Arroyo Grande and a member of the Santa Maria Pine Grove Baptist Church Board of Trustees.

SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN REGION– POSITION NUMBER 2 (5-year term)

Catherine Fanucchi is a Bakersfield resident. During the past five years, Ms. Fanucchi has been a partner, grower and operator for Fanucchi farming entities. This is a diversified family farm producing fruit, vegetables, almonds and fiber. In addition to day to day farming operations, Ms. Fanucchi also handles the farm’s legal matters including contracts, land rights issues, employment matters and other issues that may arise regarding interaction with State and Federal agencies. Ms. Fanucchi is a director of the Western Growers Association, is currently Vice-Chair of the Farm Credit West Local Advisory Committee representing the Southern San Joaquin region and a member of the California State Bar Association. She has served as a director and treasurer for Kern County Farm Bureau. She also served on the board of the Cotton Ginners and Growers Association and as Minority Advisory to the County Committee for the USDA/Farm Services Agency (responsible for the administration of the federal farm programs) in Kern County.

Julien J. Parsons is a Bakersfield resident. During the past five years, Mr. Parsons has been a partner in Parsons Farms, farming row crops and orchards in Kern County. The operation is a fourth-generation family farm growing a variety of crops including pistachios and almonds. Mr. Parsons serves on the Farm Credit West Local Advisory Committee representing the Southern San Joaquin region. He serves on the Administrative Committee for Pistachios; County Committee for the Farm Service Agency for the Kern County office; Director of Farmers Cooperative Gin; Treasurer of the Board for BW Implement Co., manufacturer of farm equipment and member of the Board of Trustees for First United Methodist Church in Bakersfield.

Board of Directors Nomination Process

The strength and long-term success of Farm Credit West depends on continued sound leadership, vision and direction by the Farm Credit West Board of Directors. This is possible only with a Board composed of industry and community leaders who are committed to the long-term success of agriculture and Farm Credit West.

The role of the Nominating Committee is an integral part of this success. This group of customers is elected by the voting stockholders at the annual meeting to serve a term of one year. Their responsibilities include screening, interviewing and

selecting director candidates to appear on the ballot in each director election. Eligibility to serve on a nominating committee is limited to voting stockholders, who are not directors, director candidates, officers, employees or agents of the association.

The following individuals served as the 2015 Nominating Committee for Farm Credit West:

Central Coast Region: Jon Cagliero, Craig Reade

Sacramento Valley Region: Robert L. (Roy) Gill, Kulwant Johl

Southern San Joaquin Region: Michael Dias, Danny Newton

The election ballot for Board and 2016 Nominating Committee candidates will be mailed on May 22 to all eligible stockholders.

Summer 2015

PAGE 7

Merger Update

The Farm Credit West board of directors has entered into an agreement with Farm Credit Services Southwest (“FCSSW”) under which FCSSW will merge with Farm Credit West. Your board believes that with this merger Farm Credit West will be positioned to better serve our customers and to fulfill our mission as a larger, more diverse institution. The merged associations will have more than $8.5 billion in assets, a more diverse portfolio of agricultural loans across three western states and strong levels of capital and liquidity.

The territory of the merged associations, as shown here, will benefit materially from geographical diversity, that can reduce risks associated with external factors such as weather, labor availability and local economic conditions.

We anticipate that later this summer, all stockholders of Farm Credit West and FCSSW will receive the full merger disclosure package that will include:

• Projected financial position of the merged associations

• Anticipated cost savings due to efficiencies gained through the merger

• Proposed management and staff resource structures

Woodland

TempletonCapital Markets

Santa MariaBakersfield

CarpinteriaVentura

Yuba City

Dinuba

TulareHanford

Tempe

Yuma Rural Arizona Safford

Imperial Valley

«RosevilleFarm Credit West Main Office

Territory and Office Locations

• Information concerning the stockholder vote

The vote is expected to be held in the August/September time frame with the anticipated merger date being sometime in the fourth quarter of 2015.

spotlight

PAGE 8

Meet Our New Portfolio ManagersMultiple Dimensions of Stewardship

When one thinks of the word “stewardship” the immediate focus is often on natural resources, such as soil and water. Let’s examine stewardship in a broader context as it pertains to agriculture and ag lending based upon my interactions with all levels of the agricultural industry.

My years working as an academic educator traveling the globe and being a dairy creamery owner have provided me with numerous opportunities to observe stewardship by individuals and organizations, which has been truly uplifting. Here are some examples of people and organizations I have encountered that are true stewards, giving back and doing their part to make the world a better place.

Legacy Stewardship

In a recent seminar I challenged the older generation of ag producers in the audience. Many of these older producers and landlords could be considered greedy on cash rent levels, and I challenged them to give back to the industry and young people who are aspiring to make their mark in the agricultural industry. My point was that all of us have individuals that assist in influencing our success, and returning the favor can build an enduring legacy for one personal life, business or industry. Well, I raised some eyebrows in the audience with this concept.

Over the years I have observed successful farmers and ranchers act as mentors to aspiring young people. They have guided them in production, operation, financial, and risk management decisions. In some cases, they even sold or leased farm assets to young people in order to position them to carry the baton in providing food, fiber and fuel for the world. With over 20 percent of U.S. farms and ranches having no next generation to return, this form of stewardship is very appropriate.

People Stewardship

In my many years of working side by side with ag lenders, I have often asked, “What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?” Without question, the most common answer is working with

customers and watching their businesses and families grow and evolve. Lenders will frequently go the extra mile to invest time and money in young farmer programs, acting as teachers, coaches and facilitators in working with customers to overcome challenges and solve problems.

Inside the organizations, it is so fulfilling to observe more expe-rienced team members mentor and guide the new inexperienced persons so they can better serve the needs of customers. The stewardship of people is a factor that people often forget in this high-tech, fast-paced society. Recently at an international dairy conference, a presenter asked a thought provoking question. “Who were the seven most influential people in your life, and what are the common characteristics amongst them?” The answer to this question may be the key to acting as a steward to others in your life and sharing your time, energy, and expertise.

Community Stewardship

Finally, the importance of giving back to the community cannot be understated. With 85 percent of Americans two generations removed from the farm or ranch and 70 percent of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, interconnections between the agricultural industry and local communities will be more important than ever. Investing time and money in organizations such as 4-H, FFA, or other agricultural leadership programs to facilitate spreading the message will be priority number one.

Our dairy farms and creamery host tours through the year, but once a year we open one dairy up to the community for an event called “Honor thy Customer and Community.” Eighteen educational stations are part of the day’s activities to develop the interconnection with the public. We incorporate our team of owners and employees, along with 4-H and FFA students to carry out the day’s activities. Recently approximately 10,000 people from 14 states and 18 different countries attended the event. In a team debriefing after the event, everyone, while tired, commented how uplifting it was to share the story of agriculture and give back to the community that is becoming more disconnected from agriculture.

Stewardship comes in many flavors. Leaving a legacy, mentoring others, or giving back to the community can be your own little way of being a good steward of your resources and making a difference while sustaining the industry and lifestyle that you cherish.

Dr. David M. Kohl

Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech

Summer 2015

PAGE 9

Meet Our New Portfolio Managers

Dan McClamroch, Carpinteria, CA

Dan grew up on a grain farm in Indiana and after college he decided to move to his wife’s home town of Ventura, CA. Since starting at Farm Credit West as a Credit Analyst in 2006, Dan has continued to take on leadership activities such as serving on the Engagement and Inclusion Council for Farm Credit West and is the Treasurer

of the Ventura County Young Farmers and Ranchers. For Dan, becoming a Portfolio Manager is the greatest opportunity of his professional life and he is excited for the new challenge.

Amar Sohal, Yuba City, CA

Amar grew up on his family farm and has always had a passion for agriculture. After getting his Business degree at Sacramento State he decided that agricultural financing was the right path for his career. Amar started at Farm Credit as a Credit Analyst and over the past 14 years has worked hard to be where he is today, a Portfolio

Manager of the Yuba City branch. His desire to help customers understand agricultural financing has made him a great leader and the connection he makes with his customers is second to none.

Phillip Kemp, Tulare, CA

Phil has been a lender for 38 years and has a variety of experiences including working for a former Farm Credit District Bank, taking on various credit roles and promoting business development. With over 36 years with Farm Credit, he has been involved with Farm Bureau and many community youth organizations. Phil enjoys the

genuine people that he works with at Farm Credit and the down to earth customers he is proud to serve every day. In his new role as a Portfolio Manager in the Tulare Dairy Group, Phil will continue to utilize his vast knowledge of the dairy industry to educate the staff and serve the customers of Farm Credit West.

Ken Tatami, Dinuba, CA

Ken was raised on a tree fruit and grape farm in Reedley, CA. After graduating from Cal Poly with an Ag Business degree he was hired by Farm Credit. Since then Ken has been serving our customers in the Central San Joaquin Valley for more than 32 years. Outside of Farm Credit, Ken has been actively involved with the Farm Bureau, having

served on the Board of Directors of the Fresno County Farm Bureau for the past 16 years and as President for the last two. Ken has proven credit and business development experience and will continue to make valuable contributions at Farm Credit West.

Doug Kraft, Yuba City, CA

Doug grew up in a small farming community and as a child developed a passion for agriculture. As he grew older also found an interest in banking. He has been fortunate to have a career that encompasses both of his interests so it is easy to understand why he has over 37 year of lending experience, 24 of those years with Farm Credit. Over the

years Doug has looked forward to the daily challenges of agricultural lending and the excitement of doing what he loves. Doug is always looking out for the best interest of his customers and will excel in his new position as a Portfolio Manager in the Yuba City branch.

Chuck Moore, Woodland, CA

Chuck has been with Farm Credit for 34 years. Over the years Chuck has continued to take leadership roles at Farm Credit West and in his community. He currently serves as a board Member of the Yolo Land Trust, is a member of the Woodland Rotary Club and is the Chairman of the Yolo County FFA Livestock Auction Committee.

He enjoys working with our outstanding customers and committed co-workers. Chuck’s dedication and commitment to the agricultural industry and his community will greatly benefit him in his new role as Portfolio Manager of the Woodland branch.

Over the last several months we have promoted outstanding employees to Portfolio Managers. In case you haven’t had the chance to meet them, we would like to introduce them to you.

PAGE 10

spotlight

Community Center

Farmland Featured at the SLO International Film Festival

One year ago, Academy-award winning director James Moll brought his vision to the industry that touches us all – agriculture. Focusing on six young producers who represent different industries and different approaches – livestock and produce, organic and conventional, large and small – the film Farmland highlights the challenges agriculture and especially young producers face, whether they’re starting their operations from scratch or taking over from the previous generation.

Farmland enjoyed a limited theater run across the country with a recent showing in March 2015 at the San Luis Obispo International Film festival to a sold out crowd. The San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau was instrumental in bringing Farmland as an entry in the festival. Farm Credit West sponsored the showing of the film as the Underwriting Sponsor.

President and CEO of Farm Credit West, Mark Littlefield said, “Farm Credit West is honored to be the underwriting sponsor of the Farmland film’s entrance at the SLO International Film Festival. Farmland eloquently demonstrates the hard work, dedication, and determination farmers and ranchers put into their farms and the joys farming brings to them and their families.”

Following the film, Dr. Scott Vernon, from Cal Poly’s Dept. of Agriculture facilitated a fruitful discussion between farmers from across the state and the audience.

The film is available on DVD for purchase and viewers can stream the film to their connected TVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, laptops, tablets and mobile devices. Visit www.farmlandfilm.com for additional information.

“This is a film for anyone who eats,” says Moll. “It’s not what you’d expect. The world of farming is complex and often controversial, but the farmers themselves are some of the most hard-working and fascinating people I’ve ever met.”

House Farm Workers! Brings Awareness to Farm Worker Housing

Ventura County based House Farm Workers! (HFW!) held their 10th Anniversary Summit in March 2015 to continue building awareness of affordable housing for Ventura County farm workers. Farm Credit West is proud to have partnered with CoBank to sponsor this event.

The Summit attendees heard informative presentations about the issue from experts in agriculture, health, housing and government relations. In addition, a new documentary film “From Harvest to Home” made it’s debut. A direct result of the Summit included a commitment by the attendees to build 2,375 Ventura County farm worker homes in the next 10 years.

The history of the HFW! began in 2004 when a small group of farmers and housing advocates saw a need to focus public attention on the issue of the shortage of safe, decent and affordable housing for Ventura County’s farm workers.

According to the HFW! website, Ventura County’s farms and ranches employ nearly 23,000 men and women. These farm workers are critical to Ventura County’s $2 billion-a-year agriculture industry. The average income of those workers is about $22,000 a year. Yet the average apartment rent in Ventura County is more than $18,000 a year. This combination of low wages and high housing costs means farm workers often must pool their resources to live in overcrowded apartments, motel rooms or houses.

Over the last decade more than 500 dwellings for farm worker families have been built in Ventura County as a result of this program.

From left to right: Ventura Portfolio Manager Mark Satterberg, Leslie Leavens and Ellen Brokaw, House Farm Workers! Executive Committee Members and FCW Vice President, Mark Winegar, attend the House Farm Workers! Summit.

PAGE 10

PAGE 11

Summer 2015

PAGE 11

Community Center

The Farm Credit Alliance and Fresno State Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology have established the Farm Credit Multicultural Scholars in Agriculture program. The program was created to build closer ties between the Jordan College and future agricultural leaders from Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties. Through the program, Fresno State agriculture students will mentor high school students interested in pursuing careers in agricultural science and technology.

“At Fresno State, we have a laser-like focus on helping students succeed,” said Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro. “Programs such as the Multicultural Scholars in Agriculture are crucial to student success because research indicates that students who are actively engaged with the University are more likely to graduate.”

The endowment now stands at $495,000 in commitments, thanks to nearly $300,000 in combined gifts from Farm Credit Alliance members; American AgCredit, CoBank, Farm Credit West, Fresno Madera Farm Credit and Golden State Farm Credit.

These gifts will be matched by a $200,000 Title V-Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) grant by the U.S. Department of Education.

In December 2014, representatives of the Farm Credit Alliance met with Castro, Jordan College Interim Dean Dr. Sandra Witte and the program’s first class of student ambassadors, including:

Courtney Carlton from Kerman, CA

Lennette Gutierrez from Salinas, CA

David Jaime from Winterhaven, CA

Desirae Perez from Filmore, CA

Toushulong Vang from Fresno, CA

The Jordan College students were selected to participate in the program based on their academic standing, career objectives, ethnic backgrounds and their strong interest in promoting higher education opportunities in agriculture.

Each participating student will receive $1,500 for the 2015 spring semester. In return, they will work as mentors with ethnically-diverse high school students in rural communities across the Central Valley. More than 100 languages are spoken in this culturally-diverse region, and Fresno County alone is composed of 70 nationalities

Fresno State’s student population is equally diverse. Seventy percent of the university’s 23,179 students report minority heritage, and Hispanics represent the largest overall percentage (39.4 percent).

Farm Credit Multicultural Scholars in Agriculture Program Nears $500,000

Farm Credit Alliance members are photographed with the Student Ambassadors, Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro, and additional Fresno State representatives.

PAGE 12

spotlight

PAGE 12

57 million reasons to be a member.

Dedicated to providing the best customer service around, our patronage program is second to none. We pay cash dividends directly to our members – the farmers and ranchers who help earn it.

Low rates. Patronage dividends. Unmatched service. We are Farm Credit West.

Farm Credit West members received $57 million in cash dividends for 2014,

for a total of more than $362 million since 2002.

www.farmcreditwest.com | 800.909.5050

PAGE 13

Summer 2015

Young Farmer and Rancher Executive Institute

Farm Credit West recognizes that preserving the future of agriculture means making sure young farmers and ranchers have a strong financial knowledge base allowing them to successfully manage their operation, now and in the future. By providing young farmers and ranchers with educational and leadership training opportunities, finance management seminars and understanding finance from their banker’s perspective, we can assist young farmers and ranchers to succeed.

This year was the 15th annual Young Farmer and Rancher Executive Institute held by Farm Credit West on California’s Central Coast. Over the 3 day training 22 young farmers, ranchers and agricultural business individuals, came together for inspiring instruction from Farm Credit West directors and staff, Cal Poly agriculture business professors, and other industry leaders.

Participants were instructed in many topics, some of these include Farm Credit West products, succession planning, using modern media as a marketing tool, components of good credit, risk management, global agricultural business and a self-study of their own operations’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

The Institute has provided learning opportunities to more than 185 graduates. Each graduate gains useful tools from the program that can be implemented in their operation. Farm Credit West knows the importance of assisting our young customer base and the Young Farmer and Rancher Executive Institute is just one way we help serve that important segment of our customers.

“My expectations of the institute were exceeded tremendously with the dynamic speakers lecturing on a wide variety of current and applicable topics and issues. I would recommend this program to aspiring future agriculture business leaders who are looking to build a solid foundation.” – Simone Michel

2015 Class of the Farm Credit West Young Farmer and Rancher Executive Institute

Students listen to FCW Portfolio Manager, Tom Gulliver, present on the history of Farm Credit.

2015 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Memorial Day Monday, May 25

Independence Day Friday, July 3

Labor Day Monday, September 7

Columbus Day Monday, October 12

Veterans Day Wednesday, November 11

Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 26

Christmas Day Friday, December 25

◆

◆

◆

◆

◆

◆

The criminal art of “phishing,” e-mail spoofing that aims to get the recipient to click on a bad link or attachment, has been around for years. Recently, more phishing attempts are direct, targeted efforts aimed at specific individuals within an organization. This variation goes by the clever name “spear phishing.” Criminals now realize a message with specialized content that is directed to one person, or a small group of people, can be quite successful. After all, it typically only takes one machine to compromise an entire network.

Security awareness consultancy PhishMe has designed spear-phishing-awareness training that focuses on changing user behavior. Jim Hansen, vice president of sales for the company, gave us four tips his team offers clients to help them avoid getting hooked by a phony message.

1. Be skeptical of all e-mails. Ask yourself: Who is this message from? If the sender is someone you do not recognize, chances are this e-mail is either some form of unsolicited spam or it is a phishing e-mail, says Hansen.

2. Ignore commands and requests for action. If the e-mail is urging you to do something, stop and think. If it is too good to be true or seems too far-fetched, it probably is.

“There are two motivations a criminal will try to appeal to: reward or authority,” says Hansen.

In an authority-based scam, the e-mail may say you need to take some action and the message purports to come from someone in a high position at your company. These messages may also say you have a package that was “undeliverable” or your bank account has been breached.

The reward scenarios usually involve some kind of prize for entering a raffle or filling out a survey. Ignore them all, says Hansen.

3. Be wary of attachments. If you do open the e-mail and you are prompted to download images or attachments, don’t! They could contain malicious content.

4. Use the phone. Remember the phone? If you’re unsure, try to call the sender. To confirm that the e-mail was legitimately sent from that person or company, look up his phone number in your company directory or call the organization he claims to represent.

4 Tips to Avoid Phishing Trips

PAGE 14

spotlight

4 Tips to Avoid Phishing Trips

PAGE 15

Summer 2015

Administrative Office

1478 Stone Point DriveSuite 450Roseville, CA 95661 916.780.1166

Capital Markets

1446 Spring StreetPaso Robles, CA 93446805.237.0998

Carpinteria

1135 Eugenia Place, Suite ACarpinteria, CA 93013805.684.8771

Dinuba

531 N. Alta AvenueDinuba, CA 93618 559.591.9378

Hanford

1111 W. Lacey BoulevardHanford, CA 93230 559.584.2681

Kern County

19628 Industry Parkway DriveBakersfield, CA 93308 661.399.7360

Santa Maria

1178 Tama Lane Santa Maria, CA 93455 805.922.7991

Templeton

175 Cow Meadow Place Paso Robles, CA 93446 805.434.3665

Tulare

200 E. Cartmill AvenueTulare, CA 93274 559.684.1478

Ventura

2031 Knoll DriveVentura, CA 93003 805.477.1020

Woodland

440 Pioneer AvenueWoodland, CA 95776 530.666.3333

Yuba City

900 Tharp RoadYuba City, CA 95993 530.671.1420

«

Territory and Office Locations

Yuba CityRosevilleFarm Credit West ACA Main OfficeWoodland

Dinuba

TulareHanford

TempletonCapital Markets

Santa Maria

Bakersfield

CarpinteriaVentura

Territory and Office Locations

1478 Stone Point Drive Suite 450 Roseville, CA 95661

800-909-5050 • www.farmcreditwest.com

Drill a new well. Repair an existing one.Improve your irrigation system.

FARM CREDIT WEST IRRIGATION

STEWARDSHIP LOAN PROGRAM

• Flexible terms• Low interest rates• No loan origination fees

Contact your local Farm Credit West branch for details.

Stewards of the Land.And the Water.