Members elect directors,
nominating committee

Member-stockholders of 1st Farm Credit Services in mail balloting following the organization's annual meeting have re-elected four fellow member-stockholders as directors. The board of directors serves as the policy-making body for the farmer-owned cooperative.

In late 2001, stockholders of 1st Farm Credit Services, FLCA and 1st Farm Credit Services, PCA voted to consolidate the two organizations into an Agricultural Credit Association (ACA), effective January 1, 2002. Consequently, the elected directors will serve on the consolidated board of 1st Farm Credit Services, ACA.

Re-elected to serve four-year terms on the 1st Farm Credit Services, ACA board are Kevin Aves, Kirkland; John Schmitt, Ursa; John Delaney, El Paso; and David Keller, Mt. Carroll.

Aves farms 2,500 acres in DeKalb County in conjunction with family members, raising corn, soybeans and wheat. He also is a seed dealer. He has been a Farm Credit Services client for 22 years and has served as a director since 1991. He served as vice chairman of the FLCA board.

Schmitt and his father operate 1,080 acres in Adams County where they produce corn, soybeans, hay and other forages. Schmitt also feeds and markets about 400 beef cattle annually. He has been a Farm Credit Services client for nine years and has served as a director since 1995.

Delaney farms 985 acres of corn and soybeans with his son in Woodford County. He has been a Farm Credit Services client for 30 years and has served as a director since 1986. He served as vice chairman of the PCA board, and is a past chairman of that board.

Keller raises corn, soybeans and hay with his son on 2,500 acres in Carroll County. They also have a cow/calf herd. Keller has been a Farm Credit Services client for 30 years and has served as a director since 1987. He served as chairman of the PCA board.

Other directors of the 1st Farm Credit Services, ACA board are John Baylor, Cuba; Andrew Benoit, Bourbonnais; Wayne Carstens, Long Point; Larry Fischer, Pittsfield; William Flynn, Davis; Donald Foerder, Annawan; Robert Jackson, DeKalb; Rod McGaughey, Carthage; Mike Menold, Princeville; Roger Newell, Williamsfield; Roger Schrodt, Galesburg; Craig Stewart, Yorkville; Leland Strom, Elgin; and James Yerkey, Atkinson.

Elected by 1st Farm Credit Services’ member-stockholders to the 2002 nominating committee are: Tim J. Snider, Minooka; Robert K. Stewart, Yorkville; George Mueller, Taylor Ridge; James R. Edwards, Alexis; Daryl Sondgeroth, Mendota; Ron Hansen, Kankakee; Matt Hawkinson, Galesburg; Terry Avery, Gladstone; Matt Gibson, Knoxville; Greg Campbell, Ursa; Ron Riebling, Good Hope; Derrick Anderson, Rushville; Ron Reed, Cambridge; Rich Newman, Kewanee; Merlyn Book, Sterling; James Burke, Sublette; Greg Steele, Princeton; and Larry Morehouse, Basco.

Elected as nominating committee alternates are: Gordon Gantzert, Mazon; Claire L. Swenson, Newark; Fred Nightingale, Orion; Kenneth Reinhardt, Seaton; Kurtiss M. Larson, Earlville; Charles Unz, Reddick; Gene Maves, Peotone; Roger Allaman, Roseville; and Joe Krupps, Galesburg; Eric Rabe, Loraine; Charles Bainter, Industry; Max McClelland, Rushville; Ron Polage, Altona; Dan Koster, Sterling; David White, Harmon; Steve Cowser, Bradford; Duane Blackert, Tampico; and Rod Iutzi, Hamilton.

Schmitt, Menold elected board officers

The board of directors of 1st Farm Credit Services, ACA, elected board officers at its annual reorganization meeting, according to Wayne A. Gustafson, 1st FCS president and CEO.

John Schmitt, Ursa, was elected board chairman, and Mike Menold, Princeville, was elected vice chairman.

Schmitt and his father operate 1,080 acres in Adams County where they produce corn, soybeans, hay and other forages. Schmitt also feeds and markets about 400 beef cattle annually. He has been a Farm Credit Services client for nine years and has served as a director since 1995.

Menold operates 2,000 acres in Peoria County, producing corn and soybeans. He has been a Farm Credit Services client for 25 years. Menold has served as a Farm Credit Services director since 1995, most recently serving as chairman of the FLCA board.