A por trait of living & work ing in rural America summer 2021 - Legacy Ag Credit
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LANDSCAPES a p o r t r a i t o f l i v i n g & wo r k i n g i n r u r a l A m e r i c a summer 2021
LANDSCAPES
Summer 2021 Vol. 24, No. 1
Ag New Mexico
Brett Valentine, CEO Contributing Editor:
agnewmexico.com Chi Robb
AgTexas FCS
Tim McDonald, CEO Contributing Editor:
agtexas.com Lauren Tatum
Alabama Ag Credit
Douglas Thiessen, CEO Contributing Editors:
alabamaagcredit.com Brooklyn George/Amber Pratt
Alabama Farm Credit
Mel Koller, CEO Contributing Editors:
alabamafarmcredit.com Samantha Southerland
Wendy Tysinger
Capital Farm Credit
Jeff Norte, CEO Contributing Editor:
capitalfarmcredit.com Tanya Foerster
Central Texas Farm Credit
Boyd Chambers, CEO Contributing Editor:
ranchmoney.com Quay Owen
Legacy Ag Credit
Derrell Chapman, CEO Contributing Editor:
legacyaca.com Amy Rayzor
Lone Star Ag Credit
Joe Hayman, CEO Contributing Editors:
lonestaragcredit.com Lydia Laske/Julie Porter
Louisiana Land Bank
Stephen Austin, CEO Contributing Editor:
louisianalandbank.com Tyra Knight
Mississippi Land Bank
Craig B. Shideler, CEO Contributing Editor:
mslandbank.com Jessica Roebuck
Plains Land Bank
Gregg Lloyd, CEO Contributing Editor:
plainslandbank.com Amie Willeford
Southern AgCredit
Phillip Morgan, CEO Contributing Editor:
southernagcredit.com Lylla Joe
Texas Farm Credit
Mark Miller, CEO Contributing Editors:
texasfarmcredit.com Ivory Good/Kacy Land
CONTRIBUTORS
Photographers: Gary Clark, Stephanie Defranco, Robert Fouts,
Barbara Golden, Russell Graves, Mark Johnson, Lynsey Kramer,
Mark Matson, Virgie Robb, Jennifer Robison, Eddie Seal, Kevin
Sibley, Samantha Southerland, Jennifer Turner, Wendy Tysinger
Writers: Sue Durio, Kimm Fromm Foster, Sheryl Smith-Rodgers
Robert Fouts
Landscapes is distributed free to Texas Farm Credit District
customers and friends. To change your mailing address,
send an email to Landscapes@FarmCreditBank.com. Please
include your previous address, new mailing address and the
name of your Farm Credit institution. Or send your old address MAGAZINE STAFF
label and new address to Landscapes, Farm Credit Bank of Director of Corporate Design/Production
Texas, P.O. Box 202590, Austin, Texas 78720-2590. Communications Lynette Alcorn
Texas Farm Credit District lending cooperatives finance rural Bryan Gilbert Sallie Yeager
real estate, agriculture, agribusiness and country homes in Managing Editor Administration/
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. These Janet Hunter Circulation
Writers Kelley Eickholt
financing co-ops are owned by their customers. Kristin Stanley
Phallan Davis
Christine Forrest
ON THE COVER: A curious calf peeps around a feeder on
a Texas summer day. Photo by Farm Credit Bank of Texas
70564 FCBOT TEXT 1 6_24_2021
Innovators and
entrepreneurs
In agriculture, innovation can be the key
to success — and even survival.
Whether adopting new technology or
trying new ways to reduce inputs and
minimize water use, farmers and ranchers
have always been innovators.
These days, it helps to be an entrepreneur
too — especially when it comes to
marketing. More and more producers
are adopting new strategies to target new
customers. For some ag entrepreneurs,
it’s about processing their raw products
themselves. For others, it’s about selling
directly to retailers or consumers who
want to “buy local.”
Turn the pages of Landscapes and meet a
few ag innovators and entrepreneurs who
are doing this and more — with the solid
support of their Farm Credit lenders.
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Jennifer Robison
Lynsey Kramer
Russell Graves
6 16 19
CONTENTS
FEATURES 26 The right move
Relocating from California to New Mexico
6 Hither and yon
A Texas farm finds its pasture-raised meat in
allowed Vaz Dairy to expand.
demand when the pandemic hits.
30 Wedding bells and shotgun shells
Alabama’s Auburn Oaks Farm hosts everything
10 Recipe for success
A Louisiana farm family builds a salsa business
from gala events to guided hunts.
with Farm Credit support.
32 Hunters: your dream hunt’s here
Pro fisherman Tim Horton builds a hunting
12 A meaty investment
At Muenster Milling, what’s good for pets is
getaway in northwestern Alabama.
good for business.
DEPARTMENTS
14 Dairy revival
Fresh cheese and fresh air bring customers 3 Farm Credit News
to Knolle Dairy Farms.
16 Bottling tradition 28 Farm Management
Growing your market: strategies for growing
Volleman’s Family Farm sells milk the farm-to-consumer sales
old-fashioned way — in glass bottles.
19 Heritage reflected 35 Money Matters
Farm Credit expands rate options for
Diversification is the key to success for this short-term, variable-rate loans
Louisiana ag entrepreneur.
22 Strip-till saves the soil 36 Postcards
Deep-rooted respect
Conservation practices fight wind erosion
on a Texas coastal farm.
Read these and more Landscapes articles online
at FindFarmCredit.com.
24 Closing the loop
Sustainability is a guiding principle at
Full Circle Jerseys. Part of the Farm Credit System
70564 FCBOT TEXT 1 6_24_2021
farm credit news
NEWS
Farm Credit donates In response to February’s winter storm,
Farm Credit organizations contributed
Capital Farm Credit initiated the donation
with a $50,000 gift. Farm Credit Bank of
to winter storm relief $250,000 to help Texas rural communities.
Millions of Texans were without power
Texas matched the donation, and other local
Farm Credit lending cooperatives quickly
in Texas communities and water in the storm’s aftermath, and the
economic toll is expected to cost billions.
joined the effort.
Partnering in the donation from Texas were:
The unprecedented weather con- • AgTexas Farm Credit
ditions hindered ag producers’ • Capital Farm Credit
ability to restore operations.
• Central Texas Farm Credit
The combined donation supported: • Farm Credit Bank of Texas
• Texas Department of • Heritage Land Bank
Agriculture’s State of • Legacy Ag Credit
Texas Agriculture Relief
• Lone Star Ag Credit
(STAR) Fund
• Plains Land Bank
• Texas and Southwestern Cattle • Texas Farm Credit
Raisers Association (TSCRA)
Disaster Relief Fund Two Farm Credit associations from other
areas of the country also contributed.
• American Red Cross
Boleman elected to FCBT board; Floerke becomes vice chair
Elections last winter brought changes to the Farm ranchers, farmers and rural youth. He is past pres- Cotton Council of America, the American Cotton
Credit Bank of Texas (FCBT) board of directors. ident of the Texas Purebred Cattle Alliance and a Producers and the Cotton Foundation.
Texas Farm Credit District stockholders elected former member of the Independent Cattlemen’s Floerke has been an
Dr. Larry Boleman and reelected Jimmy Dodson Association and the Texas Beef Council boards. FCBT director since 2017.
to the board. Their three-year terms began He currently is the superintendent of the Houston She is a rancher and hay
Jan. 1, 2021. Livestock Show and Rodeo’s 4-H and FFA producer from Lampasas,
Livestock Judging Contest. Texas. She and her
During the board’s annual organizational meeting
in January, FCBT directors reelected Dodson chair Dodson, of Robstown, husband co-own Agro-
and elected Linda Floerke vice chair of the board. Texas, joined the FCBT Tech Services Inc., which
board in 2003 and has provides liquid fertilizer,
Boleman, a retired Texas served as board chair crop chemicals, custom
A&M University execu- Linda Floerke
since 2012. In addi- application, cattle protein
tive and animal science tion, he chairs the Tenth supplements and other products and services to
professor from College District Farm Credit farmers and ranchers.
Station, Texas, previously Council and is immediate
served on the Capital In addition, Floerke serves on the Texas A&M
Jimmy Dodson past chair of the national AgriLife Extension Leadership Advisory Board for
Farm Credit board of Farm Credit Council
directors for eight years. Lampasas County and is a member of the Texas
board. Agricultural Cooperative Council board. She is
Dr. Larry Boleman He runs a cow-calf A farmer who grows cotton, corn and milo, a former director or trustee of numerous civic
business with operations
in Brazos and Burnet counties. Dodson also serves on the boards of the Texas organizations.
Agricultural Cooperative Council and Gulf Coast
His lifelong university career involved teaching, Cooperative. He is past chair of the National
executive administration and extension work with
S U M M E R 2 0 21 3
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farm credit news
Amie Pala succeeds Amie Pala was named Farm Credit Bank
of Texas (FCBT) chief executive officer
Her leadership and expertise extend to
her roles on the Farm Credit System
Larry Doyle as CEO effective Jan. 1, 2021. She succeeds Larry
Doyle, who retired after 17 years with
Disclosure Committee and the Farm
Credit Captive Insurance Board. Pala
of Farm Credit Bank the bank and 45 years in the Farm
Credit System.
holds a degree in finance from the
University of Texas and an MBA from
the University of Dallas.
Pala was the bank’s chief financial
officer for the past 10 years. Previously, During his years with the Austin-based
she served for 15 years as vice president bank, Doyle transformed its business
and treasurer. model, increasing high-quality earning
assets and growing net income by 300%
“Amie’s progressive leadership, knowl-
and 235%, respectively. Over his tenure,
edge and experience in banking, treasury
capital increased $1.6 billion, and the bank
management, capital markets and corpo-
paid $735 million in patronage to Texas
rate finance will be of remarkable value
Farm Credit District associations.
to Farm Credit Bank of Texas as she leads
the organization forward,” says Jimmy
Amie Pala Larry Doyle Dodson, FCBT board chair.
Scholarship prepares students District lending
for careers in agriculture cooperatives declare
Farm Credit and Minorities in
Agriculture, Natural Resources and
Taofeek, of Ibadan, Nigeria, is pur-
suing a Ph.D. in food science and
record patronage
Related Sciences (MANRRS) presented
the 2021 Farm Credit/MANRRS VIP
animal bio-health at Alabama A&M
University in Huntsville. His goal is to
to stockholders
Scholarship to 30 college students nation- be a USDA senior research scientist Texas Farm Credit District lending
wide this spring. Kenndall C. Bennett and so he can use his understanding of associations declared a total of
Nurudeen O. Taofeek are the recipients in feed intake to help reduce the cost of $348.4 million in patronage based on
the Texas Farm Credit District. poultry production. their 2020 earnings. The rural financing
This competitive academic scholarship “I am very grateful to Farm Credit and cooperatives distributed patronage
provides $1,000 and special training for MANRRS for the scholarship,” Taofeek checks to customer-owners in the
outstanding MANRRS students who says. “Through MANRRS, I have spring, effectively reducing their
have expressed an interest in Farm Credit. developed my public speaking and borrowing costs for the previous year.
Scholars could participate in the Farm leadership skills. These have allowed The district comprises Farm Credit Bank
Credit VIP Track of the 2021 National me to build my network and profes- of Texas and 14 local lending co-ops in
MANRRS Conference in April. sional opportunities.” Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New
Bennett, of Zachary, Louisiana, stud- For more information, visit manrrs.org. Mexico and Texas. District net income
ies agriculture and animal science at totaled $578.2 million in 2020.
Southern University and A&M College in Farm Credit Bank of Texas — the fund-
Baton Rouge. He’s using the scholarship ing bank for the associations — reported
to pursue an agriculture career so he can a record $251.1 million in net income
make a positive difference for others. for the year. It distributed 85.5% of its
“Society is increasingly dependent on earnings to its stockholders and lending
the agriculture industry,” Bennett says. partners in the form of patronage pay-
“Through my work in agriculture, I plan ments and other dividends.
to efficiently address the needs of those
who experience hunger and have
limited resources.”
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Farm Credit leaders introduce Congressional committee
members from your state
new Congress to ag issues Following are the House and Senate mem-
bers from the Texas (or Tenth) Farm Credit
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented association representing Farm Credit District — Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Farm Credit directors and managers from institutions. New Mexico and Texas — serving on key
visiting Capitol Hill this past spring. But committees in the 117th Congress. These
Also, the council will coordinate the bien-
it didn’t stop them from meeting with committees significantly influence federal
nial Farm Credit “fly-in” to Washington,
their elected officials. spending and legislation impacting agricul-
D.C., this November. That’s when several
The purpose — to introduce new mem- hundred association leaders from across ture and rural communities.
bers of Congress to Farm Credit and the the country visit Capitol Hill for in-per-
issues facing Farm Credit customers and son visits with their elected officials. House Committee on Agriculture
rural communities. The meetings also Rep. Michael Cloud, Texas
allowed Farm Credit leaders to reconnect
Key legislative, regulatory priorities
Among the council’s priorities this year Rep. Trent Kelly, Mississippi
with members they’d worked with in
the past. are to protect and advance Farm Credit Rep. Julia Letlow, Louisiana
interests in the following areas. Rep. Barry Moore, Alabama
Chance to tell Farm Credit story Rep. Filemon Vela, Texas
Legislation:
“Each new session of Congress brings
opportunities to tell Farm Credit’s story • Pandemic response
• Climate change and sustainability Senate Committee on Agriculture,
to policymakers,” says Jimmy Dodson, Nutrition and Forestry
Farm Credit Bank of Texas board chair • Support for minorities in agriculture
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
and past chair of the national Farm • Rural infrastructure, including
Credit Council board. expanded broadband service Sen. Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico
• 2023 farm bill preparations Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Alabama
“The November elections resulted in a
significant turnover in the congressio- Regulatory matters: House Committee on Appropriations
nal delegation from our district. Some • Pandemic-related relief Rep. Robert Aderholt, Alabama
new House and Senate members aren’t • Paycheck Protection Program rules
well-acquainted with agriculture or Farm Rep. John Carter, Texas
• Appraisal requirements Rep. Henry Cuellar, Texas
Credit’s impact on rural communities,”
• Programs for young, beginning and
Dodson says. “That’s why association Rep. Tony Gonzales, Texas
small farmers
leadership makes it a priority to help Rep. Kay Granger, Texas – ranking member
educate new legislators about issues in “With so many urgent issues facing the Rep. Steven M. Palazzo, Mississippi
rural America.” new Congress, it’s critical we engage our
locally elected leaders to ensure Farm Senate Committee on Appropriations
Online meetings — face to face Credit members’ concerns are heard,”
Dodson was part of a Texas Farm Credit Sen. Richard Shelby, Alabama – vice chair
Dodson says.
delegation that met virtually with Sen. Martin Heinrich, New Mexico
new House Agriculture Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
Committee member Sen. John Kennedy, Louisiana
Rep. Michael Cloud
and his staff. Several House Committee on Financial Services
Texas District associa-
Rep. Sylvia Garcia, Texas
tion directors also
met virtually with Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, Texas
Sen. John Cornyn. Rep. Lance Gooden, Texas
Rep. Al Green, Texas
The Farm Credit
Council helped Farm Rep. Van Taylor, Texas
Credit associations Rep. Roger Williams, Texas
across the nation
coordinate online meet- Texas Farm Credit (TFC) leaders met online with congressman Senate Committee on Banking,
Michael Cloud of Texas, center, earlier this year. It was one of Housing and Urban Affairs
ings with their elected
several virtual meetings between Farm Credit association leaders
officials and congressio- Sen. John Kennedy, Louisiana
and new U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committee mem-
nal staffers. The council Sen. Richard Shelby, Alabama
bers. Participants included TFC CEO Mark Miller, top right, TFC
is the national trade Board Chair John Prukop, lower left, and Farm Credit Bank of
Texas Board Chair Jimmy Dodson, center row, left.
S U M M E R 2 0 21 5
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6 LANDSCAPES
70564 FCBOT TEXT 7 6_24_2021
hither and yon
Yonder Way Farm produces pasture-raised
meat and eggs, and covers miles of Texas
to deliver directly to its customers THE KRAMER FAMILY
Yonder Way Farm
Fayetteville, Texas
n St. Patrick’s Day, 2020, grass-fed beef, Capital Farm Credit
Jason and Lynsey Kramer pastured pork, financed the family’s farm,
knew something was going chicken and eggs located halfway between
on when their phones every year to feed Houston and Austin.
wouldn’t stop ringing. about 500 families.
“Grocery stores were running out of food Meeting an urgent need
Lynsey Kramer
— especially meat, because they were The Kramers sell directly to retail custom-
shutting down packing plants,” Lynsey ers, offering a wide variety of products
says. “People were really scared.” they source from nearby farms. They’ve
always believed small farms can make a big
But there was plenty of meat in the freezer
difference. And for them, the COVID-19
and on the hoof at Yonder Way Farm, pandemic was proof.
the small Texas farm they financed with
Capital Farm Credit. After all, they and Ordinarily it was enough to do business
their four daughters produce enough five days a week — two at the farm store
and three through deliveries in several
cities. When sales tripled in spring 2020,
things changed. Their store stayed open all
Lynsey Kramer
day, every day for about three months.
“We’d have 80-100 cars in line to get in,”
Jason says. “We have a great network of
farms all around us, so every day we had
bread, fresh vegetables and raw dairy
coming in. We were rocking and rolling.”
They also supply three restaurants and a
top-rated culinary school. When those
closed, the Kramers didn’t miss a beat.
“Last year was hard for a lot of farms that
just do wholesale and had nowhere to go
with product,” Jason says. “Our wholesale
suffered but our retail grew. People just
needed food.”
Discovering health and fulfillment
The Kramers — from left, Ruthie, Laney Rae, Jason, Exie The Kramers haven’t always been farmers.
Jo, Lynsey and Kaylyn — are all very involved in the fam- In the mid-2000s, Jason was a Houston
ily farm. At left, pasture-raised hens soak up the sun near firefighter and Lynsey was a stay-at-home
the event barn the Kramers built for their supper club. mom with a photography business.
S U M M E R 2 0 21 7
70564 FCBOT TEXT 8 6_24_2021
Mark Matson
Mark Matson
Lynsey Kramer
The Kramers sell products from Yonder Way Farm and other local farms at their store and in more than two
dozen deliveries around Houston, Austin, College Station and Beaumont. At left, Ruthie cartons pastured eggs,
their most popular item. At right, Jason readies meat, eggs, raw milk and other products for Austin customers.
After developing some health problems, customers,” Lynsey says. “We wanted to “There’s going to be a slower growth
they started thinking about what they were source as many local foods as possible. process. But an active, healthy animal is a
eating. Soon they were driving to farms And we really wanted to be in control of good thing to eat. The meat is firm and has
to buy produce and ordering meat from the whole process from the beginning visible muscles.”
a ranch. to the end and create a community
For their grass-fed, grass-finished beef,
through food.”
“Our health crisis gave us a love for food they lease 4,000 acres, also free of chemical
— not just the way it tastes, but also being In 2012, the Kramers wanted to put down fertilizers and herbicides.
the first step in preventive maintenance,” roots on their very own farm. It felt like
Jason says. a miracle to find everything they wanted Financing with the right fit
just down the road — nearly 40 acres, a The move to Fayetteville led the Kramers
So when relatives moved to the country
charming 1906 farmhouse, an 1800s barn to Capital Farm Credit. Jason appreciated
in 2005 and asked Jason and Lynsey to
manage their property, the couple jumped and even a store. how it understands agriculture and didn’t
at the chance. want a balloon payment like other lenders.
De-modernizing the farm
First they put in a garden and bought “More than anything, it’s nice having those
Soon the Fayetteville place was like an old
some chickens for eggs. Next came a few co-op dividend checks,” he says. “It’s like
farmstead again. Pasture-raised chickens
pigs and cattle. And Yonder Way Farm I have fewer payments a year because
fertilize the fields, so there’s no need for
was born. they give me money back. Rolling that
chemicals. And heritage-breed hogs rotate
into some
through the
“We fell in love with growing our own other project
pastures. For
food,” Lynsey says. “We felt really fulfilled.” is beneficial in
their hogs, Our health crisis gave us a love for food — farming.”
It was so satisfying, they made farming a Jason chose a
full-time family business. three-way cross not just the way it tastes, but also being Tim Knesek,
Creating a community through food
that has excel-
lent marbling
the first step in preventive maintenance.” Capital’s
Houston mar-
Over time, Yonder Way Farm developed and does well — Jason Kramer, Yonder Way Farm ket president, is
loyal customers who were also interested outside. happy to see the
in food and health. Best of all, their cus- “We’ve kind of de-modernized it,” Jason Kramers do well. He says the rural way of
tomers prepaid and the Kramers delivered. says. “We put the animals in the environ- life attracts similar families more than ever.
“We wanted to distribute our food directly ment they would naturally be in. They can “There was a time when rural living meant
from our hands to the hands of our be active and move around. having a garden and your own fresh
8 LANDSCAPES70564 FCBOT TEXT 9 6_24_2021
grass-fed beef and farm-raised eggs,” he Instagram followers.
says. “The COVID-19 pandemic certainly “I can post a beauti-
has increased the desire for city dwell- ful picture and keep
ers and others to reconnect with rural people connected to
America. Yonder Way Farm has been what’s going on at the
visionary in positioning the business to farm. I had no idea
Lynsey Kramer
provide wholesome foods and experiences we would grow far
people are looking for.” beyond our custom-
ers on social media.
And there’s room for more agricultural People are so inter-
producers, the Kramers say. The farm’s heritage-breed hogs — a cross of Duroc, Berkshire and Chester
ested in what we do.”
“There’s no way a farm like ours can feed White — have dark skin to protect them from sunburn living on pasture.
And after growing
the masses,” Lynsey says. “But if there sales at least 70% since
were more small farms like us, I feel that before the pandemic, they just moved The Kramers will tell you it’s hard work
would benefit people. Honestly, it’s hard their store to the historic Fayetteville that never feels like a job.
to keep up with the demand for our meat town square.
and eggs.” “We were steered this way through the
Launching a family legacy health benefits, but it transcended that,”
Finding ways to connect Jason says. “We’re provided for and
But the most rewarding part is doing
To share the joy of local, seasonal food, life isn’t just about existing, it’s full of
everything as a family — from tending
the Kramers started a supper club three animals to scheduling orders and serving adventure.” CF
years ago and hosted dinners for up to 150 customers.
people. They had to suspend group meals Keep up with the Kramer Family at
temporarily due to the pandemic. But they “It’s been incredible,” Lynsey says. “Our yonderwayfarm.com and on Instagram
still post recipes, photos and family stories girls have definitely become independent, @fivechicksandafarmer.
online and on Instagram. resilient and business savvy through being
a part of what we do.”
“Marketing for us is just sharing our daily
journey,” says Lynsey, who has over 80,000
Yonder Way Farm’s Red Angus cow-calf herd grazes on several leased pastures. The Kramers produce 130
grass-fed calves, 400 pastured hogs and 10,000 pastured broilers a year — and up to 1,800 eggs a day.
Lynsey Kramer
S U M M E R 2 0 21 970564 FCBOT TEXT 1 6_24_2021
The Deshotels family founded
2 Sisters’ Salsa Company in their
home kitchen.When it came time
to expand, they turned to Louisiana
Land Bank. From left are Sarah,
Brooke, Patrick and Emily.
PATRICK AND
BROOKE DESHOTELS
A RECIPE
2 Sisters’ Salsa
Plaucheville, Louisiana
Photos by Jennifer Robison
Financing from Louisiana
Land Bank enabled the
for success
Deshotels to grow their
salsa business.
A central Louisiana farm atrick Deshotels and his
wife, Brooke, wanted to
Getting started
Deshotels, a graduate of Louisiana State
family finds a growing start a business their young
University, puts his agricultural business
daughters could one day
market for their salsa join. So the couple settled
degree to good use — whether on his
farm or when sourcing fresh ingredients
with a Cajun kick. on a concept based on
for his salsa.
mutual passions — cooking and salsa.
Along with running 2 Sisters’, the
In 2015, the Louisiana Land Bank cus-
Plaucheville resident farms crawfish, milo,
tomers formed 2 Sisters’ Salsa Company,
rice, soybeans, sugar cane and wheat.
named for the girls, Sarah, now 17, and
Given this, a salsa business may seem like
Emily, 14.
an unlikely choice. But it’s become big
Today the family’s salsa products can be business for the family.
found on store shelves across the country.
“We love cooking together,” says Deshotels.
But the secret to their success still starts at
“Over time, we customized our salsa
home — with authentic Cajun recipes they
recipes by adding our own blend of spices.
perfected themselves.
10 LANDSCAPES70564 FCBOT TEXT 2 6_24_2021
Once we had a pretty good recipe, I was
curious about the next step.”
The family then tested their products
among friends and soon realized they
had a winning formula. Next, they began
bottling and selling the salsa under the
2 Sisters’ brand.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
What began in the Deshotels’ kitchen
has expanded into an industrial operation.
The company’s five restaurant-style salsas
— verde, honey, fiesta, jalapeño and
original — are distributed in over 4,000
stores across 20 states. And they employ
six full-time and four part-time employees.
Using authentic Cajun recipes, 2 Sisters’ offers five different salsa flavors — original, honey, fiesta,
Growing the business jalapeño and verde.
The Deshotels first became Louisiana
Land Bank customers 20 years ago when “We built the production facility to we feel we can build a business for quite
the lender financed their home, the initial meet current and future demands,” says some time.”
headquarters for 2 Sisters’. Deshotels.
Keeping the
As the company grew, they needed more David Bergeron, the couple’s loan officer,
isn’t surprised by the salsa company’s
shelves stocked
space. Once again, the couple turned to
success. Getting a customer to stray from their
their local lender. This time Louisiana
shopping list and try a new product
Land Bank financed a 6,500-square-foot “I’ve worked with Patrick and Brooke for takes work. It falls on 2 Sisters’ sales and
production facility and a 10,500-square- years. And I knew anything they touched marketing team to push the product
foot standalone warehouse. The new would be successful,” says Bergeron, through promotions.
warehouse gives 2 Sisters’ room to store Louisiana Land Bank vice president and
their product. branch manager in Opelousas. “The average shopper is preprogrammed
to buy what they’re used to at the grocery
The production facility is an automated
operation where the salsa is cooked and
Expanding the store,” Deshotels says. “It takes about 10
marketplace years to build brand recognition. Along
bottled. 2 Sisters’ manufactured 800,000
with selling the product at a great price
jars of salsa in 2020 and expects to double Deshotels wants to sell their product
point, we run ads, use social media and
that number by the end of this year. directly to restaurants and eventually
depend on the support of management at
expand 2 Sisters’
the stores we sell in.”
internationally.
The company has found success. But
“Our main goal
Deshotels isn’t one to become complacent.
is to promote our
brand by con- “You haven’t won the game just by
tinuing to push getting your product on the shelf,” says
our unique salsa Deshotels. “Each time we see our salsa
flavors,” says in a new market, we know all the work
Deshotels. “We’re is worth it. It’s exciting.” PD
offering grocery Visit 2sisterssalsa.com to purchase salsa or
store aisle serv- find recipes made with the products.
ings to introduce
consumers to the
salsa. As long as
our products are
featured promi-
No longer a home-based operation, 2 Sisters’ now manufactures its salsa nently in stores,
in a high-tech production facility in Plaucheville.
S U M M E R 2 0 21 1170564 FCBOT TEXT 12 6_24_2021
A meaty
investment
At Muenster Milling, what’s healthy for pets is good for business.
A few years ago, brothers Chad and
Mitch Felderhoff had a problem.
Muenster Milling Co., the North Texas
that had consumers paying more attention
to their pets.
Made for dogs, good enough for people
The brothers’ goal is to provide nutritious
food backed by science. Most of their
ingredients have come from the same
local family farms for generations. What’s
feed mill their family has owned for four Mitch started the year by eating nothing changed, though, are their recipes.
generations, was known for high-quality but dog food for a month.
food for horses and “Obesity rates in canines and felines are
pets. Sales were on the By February, everybody similar to humans’,” says Mitch, who stud-
rise, but their mill was CHAD AND MITCH FELDERHOFF was talking about it — from ied sports medicine and nutrition in col-
at capacity. To grow in newscasters to Jimmy Fallon lege. “A lot of that is because they eat way
Muenster Milling Co. on “The Tonight Show.”
a new direction, they too many carbohydrates. We want to lower
Muenster, Texas
took a chance on a the carb load to reduce obesity, which
For Mitch, eating kibble and
healthy ingredient pets Financing from Lone Star Ag Credit causes most chronic diseases in pets.”
freeze-dried meat products
love: meat. helped the brothers expand their was a way to demonstrate the Muenster Milling launched freeze-dried
line of freeze-dried pet foods and company’s commitment to
With financing from meat products eight years ago to give
grow their business. quality. As he told customers
Lone Star Ag Credit, pets more protein, vitamins and miner-
the brothers turned in Muenster Milling’s blog, als. They’ve replaced some grains in their
an old dress factory into a freeze-drying “we’ll do anything we can to make sure extruded foods with millet, grain sor-
facility in 2018. And in 2020 their online we’re providing the best food possible for ghum, field peas, sweet potatoes and other
sales tripled, thanks to innovative prod- their dog, so much so, that we’ll even eat options that have a lower glycemic index.
ucts, clever marketing and a pandemic it ourselves.” Additions like salmon oil help pets feel full
12 LANDSCAPES70564 FCBOT TEXT 13 6_24_2021
“
Brothers Chad, left, and Mitch
Felderhoff co-own Muenster
Milling, founded by their great-
grandfather in 1932. Grandpa Freeze-dried meat provides tons of health benefits,
Joe, Mitch’s goldendoodle, eats which is what drives our business: the ability to have
their freeze-dried meat and
meat-coated kibble. innovative products that deliver actual results.”
– Mitch Felderhoff
and eat less. And other ingredients sup- Mitch lost weight, lowered his cholesterol Mitch says Lone Star has been a valuable
port healthy hearts, digestion and joints. and triglycerides, and stopped having partner for six years now.
joint pain and headaches.)
“We’re changing to give animals what “Craig knows what we’re doing, how
they’re really supposed to eat — and using But it took a smart investment three we’re doing it and why we’re doing it,”
supplements to provide the best nutrition,” years ago for Muenster Milling to meet Mitch says. “He’s helped us accomplish a
says Chad, who oversees operations and the demand. lot of our goals.
creates the recipes.
“The freeze-dried line speaks to their “Freeze-dried meat provides tons of
Variety keeps pets and owners happy innovation and entrepreneurship,” says health benefits, which is what drives our
Craig Hartman, the brothers’ loan officer. business: the ability to have innovative
With six freeze dryers and one on the
“They’re very savvy and attuned to products that deliver actual results.” CF
way, the brothers now produce 1.2 million
pounds of shelf-stable meat a year. consumers’ needs. They took a calculated
Learn more at muenstermilling.com.
risk, and it’s paying off for them.”
It’s all human-grade meat such as beef,
pork, chicken, elk and venison.
Muenster Milling makes freeze-dried
treats and patties that can supplement or
replace kibble. It also makes meal toppers
that target specific health needs. And it
Photos by Russell Graves
coats some of its kibble in freeze-dried
meat, powdered bone broth, oils and
probiotics.
The company sells its foods for dogs, cats,
horses, chickens and fish through retailers
in 22 states. It also produces private-label
foods for other companies and ships to
several countries. But if you order online,
Muenster Milling will customize as little
as one bag of dog food, offer a phone
consultation and send a hand-written
thank-you note.
“We can add something that has a benefit
for the dog and the owner,” Chad says of
their My Custom Dog Food line. “Owners
love their animals and want to spoil them.
And what sounds better to a dog than a
little bacon fat on top?”
A bold step pays dividends
If there was ever a time people lavished
attention on their pets, it was during the
COVID-19 lockdown.
Online sales surged in 2020 as pet owners
discovered they could have food custom-
ized and delivered. The documentary “30 Chad wheels a batch of meat out of a freeze dryer, which removes moisture with cold and
Days of Dog Food,” available on YouTube, pressure instead of heat to preserve flavor and nutrients. Dogs eat the finished product in
boosted the brand, too. (Spoiler alert: treats, flavor enhancers, supplements, or as a complete and balanced diet.
S U M M E R 2 0 21 1370564 FCBOT TEXT 14 6_24_2021
Joe and Christina Knolle
stock their farm store
coolers with herb-flavored
cheeses. Windows, at rear,
look out on the processing
facility.
Photos by Eddie Seal
A DAIRY REVIVAL Fresh air and fresh cheese
attract customers to
Knolle Dairy Farms.
J
oe Knolle Jr. didn’t intend to launch a new business in the “People have been cooped up in the house for a year, and they’re
middle of a pandemic. ready for some fresh air and a drive in the country,” says Knolle.
“They can buy fresh cheese and even watch it being made. The
For four years, he and his wife, Christina, had been hatching a
kids get to run around and see baby calves. And people love to
plan to add value to their South Texas Jersey dairy operation. Their
take pictures of my cows out in the pasture.”
goal? To make and sell fresh Mexican-style cheese — queso fresco,
in Spanish — on their farm at Sandia, northwest of Corpus Christi. World’s largest Jersey herd
But in January 2020 they had to cut production because of indus- This is not the Knolle family’s first foray into the dairy products
try milk surpluses. Then COVID-19 hit, and business. Fifty years ago, Knolle Jersey Milk Products
their milk market dried up even more. was a popular South Texas brand. Knolle milk was
CHRISTINA AND JOE KNOLLE JR. delivered door to door. Their cottage cheese, butter,
There was only one thing to do — fast-track their
Knolle Dairy Farms cream and ice cream were sold in local stores, and
business plan and start making cheese, a move
Sandia, Texas they had regional distribution centers in Harlingen,
supported by their lender, Texas Farm Credit. Laredo and Victoria.
Texas Farm Credit finances the
A destination for cheese lovers dairy’s operating expenses. Knolle Jersey cattle were respected internationally,
As it turns out, the timing was good. too. At one time, the herd numbered 8,000 cows —
the largest Jersey herd in the world. Established in
Since their November launch, Knolle Dairy Farms has become
1928 by Knolle’s grandfather and great uncles, it was also one of the
a day-trip destination for cheese lovers and families looking for
best, often winning national shows.
“agritainment.”
14 LANDSCAPES70564 FCBOT TEXT 15 6_24_2021
One of the last in South Texas
By 2005, when Knolle joined his father in the business, they
were milking 2,100 cows. But much of the state’s milk produc-
tion and processing had moved to West Texas.
“We had some conversations about keeping the herd going,”
says Knolle. “We started doing more farming to cut feed costs.”
In 2012, the family sold most of their herd. Joe and Christina
downsized to a 300-cow operation — now one of the few dairy
farms in South Texas. But producing milk near the Gulf Coast
is tough when the product must travel 250 miles for processing,
Knolle explains.
The leap to value-added
“We knew we had a broken business model and had to do some-
thing to remain viable,” says Knolle, who has a degree in indus- Knolle Dairy Farms produces nine different flavors of fresh cheese plus curds.
trial distribution. “We decided the only way to control our milk Fifty years ago, the Knolle family sold milk in glass bottles, like the one pictured.
prices was to add value, by processing some milk ourselves.”
Product promotion
To do so, they required a lender who understood agriculture.
Traditional and social media helped spread the word that Knolle
“We needed an advocate for what we wanted to do,” he says. dairy products are back in South Texas. Weekend
That’s why they approached Texas Farm Credit to events at the farm started drawing visitors.
finance their operating expenses. Customers volunteered to help. And
After extensive research, the couple set a people began booking private tours.
“We decided the only way to
new focus — to produce fresh cheese for “Tours are important from the dairy
the local market. Selling cheese on their
control our milk prices was
advocacy perspective,” says Knolle.
farm added an element of agritourism. to add value, by processing
To teach visitors how to pair fresh
“As a dairy in South Texas, our greatest some milk ourselves.”
cheese with traditional cuisine, the
liability is our location,” Knolle says. “We – Joe Knolle Jr. Knolles invite food trucks to the farm
decided to turn our liability into an asset by on Saturdays to serve foods made with
making a product that wasn’t available here.” their cheese. They’re also working with a spe-
cialty retailer to place their products in local stores.
A plan in motion
When the pandemic struck, the couple had already started to But on-farm sales remain the dairy’s bread and butter.
convert an existing barn into a processing facility and retail store. “We want to be a local niche producer,” says Knolle. “We don’t
Construction and product development shifted into overdrive. By have aspirations to get too big.”
November, they were ready to market nine flavors of traditional
Mexican cheese — several infused with herbs and spices — and But big or small, the Knolles look forward to celebrating the dairy’s
fresh curds. 100th anniversary in 2028, and Texas Farm Credit is eager to help.
The Mexican-style cheeses are made in two to three days, 400 “We want to be a part of helping them reach that goal and
pounds per batch, and are best eaten fresh. continue the family business for years to come,” says John Mayo,
relationship manager with Texas Farm Credit in Robstown. JH
“In Mexico, the best food is made with regional fresh cheese. But
you can’t find that kind of cheese here,” says Knolle. “We want peo-
ple in South Texas to taste the difference whole Jersey milk makes.”
Christina and Joe Knolle Jr., seen with calves
and nurse cows, continue to operate what was
once the world’s largest Jersey farm.
S U M M E R 2 0 21 1570564 FCBOT TEXT 1 6_24_2021
bottling
ventually, everything old is new
again. That’s certainly the case for
the Volleman family.
TRADITION
Originally from Luxembourg, Frank
and Annette Volleman bought an old
farm smack dab in the middle of Texas and turned
it into a modern dairy operation with their own
milk processing plant.
This Central Texas dairy is bringing back Now, under the Volleman’s Family Farm label,
they’re selling farm-fresh milk the old-fashioned
glass-bottled milk and expanding its way — in glass bottles. And Central Texas Farm
Credit is helping them make it happen.
family business. Hill Country move
The Vollemans can trace their dairy roots back to
1890, so milking cows comes naturally.
As newlyweds in the 1980s, the young couple
milked cows on a family farm in Luxembourg. But
in the small European country roughly the size of a
Texas county, expansion was difficult.
“We saw the writing on the wall and knew we’d have
Fresh from the farm, the Volleman family is now
to relocate if we wanted to continue,” says Frank.
bottling its own milk — the old-fashioned way.
It can be found in select Texas grocers.
Russell Graves
16 LANDSCAPES70564 FCBOT TEXT 2 6_24_2021
THE VOLLEMAN FAMILY
Wildcat Dairy
Gustine, Texas
Financing from Central Texas
Farm Credit helped this dairy
add land, equipment and a
new processing facility to their
operation.
Left: Annette and Frank Volleman (kneeling)
started Wildcat Dairy in 1993. Today, their
four sons and expanding families are all part
of the operation.
Brianna Tucker
They researched options in Europe. But four sons — Benjamin,
Frank’s early-life experience in the U.S. David, Andrew and
was influential. “I visited as an exchange Daniel — all now work
student in high school,” says Frank. “I on the family farm.
fell in love with the country.” “Annette and I grew up
About this same time, several European in this business,” says
dairies had relocated to New Mexico and Frank. “We wanted our
West Texas. Frank and Annette took a boys to have the same
vacation to tour those dairy hot spots. opportunity. Once
But it was a discovery in the Texas Hill they finished college
Country that put their plans in motion. and came home, we
Russell Graves
understood we’d need
“We happened across a dairy for sale near to create something
Comanche,” says Frank. “The location and new, or else we’d have
existing improvements were top of the line, to make each slice of
and we thought, ‘we can make something Eco-friendly glass bottles can be reused dozens of times. To sterilize
the pie a little smaller. the glass bottles, the Vollemans added a custom bottle washer to
happen here.’ ” We decided to create a their processing facility.
bigger pie.”
Dairy wildcatters
In 1993, Frank and Annette purchased 330 Nowadays, with nearly 100 employees, “They work well together,” says Frank.
acres along Wildcat Creek near Gustine, Wildcat Dairy has expanded to include “They understand their obligations. And
Texas, and Wildcat Dairy was formed. a milking herd of 5,000 Holsteins, 4,000 they’re all equal partners, so they keep
acres of forages such as corn silage, track of the numbers. There’s built-in
They founded the dairy on four core prin- and the latest addition, a milk accountability, and they work hard for
ciples — quality product, animal welfare, processing facility. each other.”
sustainable operations and family focus.
Each son has his own area of responsibility.
“We’re going to provide only the highest Benjamin, the oldest, is the crop manager
Bottle prospects
quality milk,” says Frank. “That starts with The Vollemans undertake extensive
and helps raise heifers. David manages
our cows. They take good care of us, and research, planning and family discussions
dairy operations and calf raising. Andrew
we’re going to take excellent care of them.” before making major business decisions.
is in charge of the processing facility.
And Daniel, the youngest, oversees That vetting process resulted in the new
Family stake distribution while also managing his processing facility.
As the dairy operation grew, the Volleman uncle’s nearby dairy. “We didn’t just decide to put in a pro-
family multiplied too. Frank and Annette’s
cessing plant,” says Frank. “We initially
S U M M E R 2 0 21 1770564 FCBOT TEXT 3 6_24_2021
Russell Graves
considered cultured dairy products like officer at Central
cheeses and yogurt. But retailers kept men- Texas Farm Credit.
tioning glass-bottled milk.”
“I’ve known Travis
So the Vollemans traveled the country for more than 10
inspecting bottling plants. They also years,” says Frank.
conducted broad research to identify “Working with a
gaps in the dairy market. reliable ag lender
who understands
“We wanted to find a new way to deliver
the ups and downs
milk,” says Frank. “It was part of our
in this industry is
long-term business plan and how we
critical. The folks
thought we’d make the pie bigger.”
at Central Texas
Equipment fills bottles of milk in a clean environment at the
Earth-friendly product do an awesome
Vollemans’ new processing plant. The plant, which is built for future
job, and they know expansion, currently produces milk two days each week.
Using eco-friendly glass bottles also
agriculture.”
appealed to the family.
McKinney also appreciates the value of
“As dairy farmers, we’re not afraid to
their relationship. “Whole milk is our biggest seller,” says
embrace environmental best practices,”
Frank. “But chocolate is up there too.”
says Frank. “Sustainability is important “Frank is an outstanding businessman and
to our family and our business. Doing very forward-thinking,” says McKinney. “I The Vollemans’ bottled milk can be found
our part to minimize plastics made a lot appreciate how his family works together in retail outlets in Central and West Texas.
of sense.” to research and plan to ensure they make Their five-year goal is to cover the state by
informed decisions. Their attention to supplying Texas’ larger grocers.
The Vollemans view their target consumer
detail is impressive.”
as the expanding group of buyers who “We can crank up production in our
connect with sustainability and appreciate Milk to market facility pretty quickly. However, we know
how reusable glass bottles help the distribution will be a challenge,” says
Under the Volleman’s Family Farm label,
environment. Plus there are those who Frank. “Texas is such a massive state. But
Frank and his family offer several milk
view glass-bottled milk with nostalgia. we’re on pace to hit our year-one targets.”
products — whole, 2%, chocolate, straw-
“Of course we think that everyone will berry and vanilla. They recently added With all the Vollemans pulling in the same
like our milk,” says Frank. “It tastes so cream to their line. And during the holi- direction, it may happen sooner than they
much better out of a cold glass bottle — it’s days, they offer their immensely popular think. BWG
the way milk is supposed to be served.” eggnog.
Ideal ag lender But what’s their most popular product
year-round?
To bring their plan to life, the Vollemans
contacted Travis McKinney, chief credit
The Vollemans care for a closed herd of more
than 5,000 head of Holstein dairy cattle.
Russell Graves
18 LANDSCAPESLegacyACA.com “Financing your Legacy”
O F F I C E LO C AT I O N S
CANTON BRANCH OFFICE
We rise up together
335 WEST DALLAS STREET
CANTON, TX 75103
(903) 567-2251 Over these past many months, we’ve all been challenged.
From an unprecedented pandemic to extreme weather, the
GILMER BRANCH OFFICE ag community has been hit hard.
1261 HIGHWAY 271 SOUTH But in agriculture we rise up. We grow. We produce. And we create. In challenging
GILMER, TX 75645 times like these, those in agriculture find a way.
(903) 734-5550 It’s in difficulty, that opportunity can be found. And the driving force of innovation is
need. You’ve persevered and invented new ways to deliver smart ag practices that feed
LONGVIEW BRANCH OFFICE our nation, conserve precious resources and enhance the rural lifestyle.
3538 FOURTH STREET Members of the ag community have continued to rise up and help each other. You’ve
LONGVIEW, TX 75605 comforted fellow neighbors. You’ve lent a hand, provided a meal, shared an encouraging
(903) 243-8031 word or simply been there.
That’s not new in rural communities, or at Farm Credit. This unifying spirit of teamwork
SULPHUR SPRINGS and common purpose is what makes agriculture special. It’s also the foundation of your
BRANCH AND rural lending cooperative.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE At Legacy Ag Credit, we are here for you. It is our mission to support agriculture and
303 CONNALLY STREET rural communities by providing access to reliable and consistent credit in good times
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX 75482 and bad. We’ve been financing innovation in agriculture for generations. That won’t stop.
(903) 885-9566 As an ag community, we’ll do what we’ve always done. We’ll come together. And we’ll
rise up.
SULPHUR SPRINGS
Thank you for your hard work and generosity. And thank you for continuing to trust
LENDING OFFICE Legacy Ag Credit with your ag lending needs.
319 MAIN STREET
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX 75482
(903) 885-9566
TERRELL BRANCH OFFICE Derrell W. Chapman
1541 SOUTH STATE HIGHWAY 34 Chief Executive Officer
TERRELL, TX 75160
(972) 932-3610
Part of the Farm Credit System
A S S O C I A T I O N S U P P L E M E N T – S U M M E R 2 0 21New committee to advise
on programs for young,
beginning and small farmers
One of Legacy Ag Credit’s priorities is to support people The committee’s objectives are to:
who are trying to get started in agriculture. And the best • Help Legacy Ag Credit develop products, services,
way to do that is to understand their challenges and learn rates and underwriting standards for the YBS demo-
about their needs. graphic in our market and meet the mission of the
That’s why Legacy recently formed a Young, Beginning and Farm Credit System
Small (YBS) Farmer and Rancher Advisory Committee. • Represent the association at agricultural events
The 2017 Census of Agriculture found there were 14,500 and meetings
small farmers, 4,946 beginning farmers and 1,347 young • Gain valuable input on policy from the viewpoint
farmers in the association’s 10-county territory. of the YBS farmer
“At Legacy, we want to ensure we have the right loan prod- • Understand ways YBS farmers can further be involved
ucts, financing tools and other resources to help as many in both Legacy Ag Credit and the agricultural commu-
of these creditworthy producers as possible,” said Derrell nity as they continue their careers
Chapman, association chief executive officer. • Learn the unique structure and benefits of doing
The new YBS committee will be composed of several cus- business with Legacy Ag Credit and be advocates for
tomers who are YBS producers themselves. They will advise the association
the Legacy Ag Credit board of directors and management • Improve Legacy Ag Credit’s ability to attract high-
on ways the association can make a difference. quality YBS borrowers
$25,000 in scholarships
awarded to local students
Legacy Ag Credit expanded its scholarship program
this year, awarding a total of $25,000 to nine northeast
Texas students. Last year, seven students received a
total of $20,000 in college scholarships from Legacy.
The 2021 program included one $5,000 scholarship
and eight $2,500 scholarships for college-bound
students living in the 10-county territory served
by Legacy.
“After a year in which so many families were impacted
by COVID-19, the Legacy Ag Credit board of direc-
tors made it a priority to expand our scholarship
funding,” said Derrell Chapman, association CEO. “By
providing students with financial support to pursue
their college studies, we’re investing in the next gen-
eration of ag producers and rural leaders.”
Visit Legacy Ag Credit’s Facebook page and website to
learn about the 2021 scholarship recipients.
L E G AC Y AG C R E D I T, AC AM ar ch 2 0 2 1
L e g a cy A g C re d it S t
Tw o m ill io
n, fo ur hu nd re d an d
oc k h ol d e rs 2,470,000
se ve nt y th ou sa nd d ol
la rs
Pa t ro n a ge
B oa rd of D ir ec t or s
Legacy Ag Credit returns
$2.47 million in cash patronage to customers
Legacy Ag Credit returned $2.47 million of its 2020 earnings to Sharing profits with members is one of the hallmarks of the
eligible stockholders in March. cooperative business model. Patronage payments return a por-
tion of the interest borrowers paid on their loans the previous
“As a borrower-owned cooperative, Legacy Ag Credit keeps only
year, effectively reducing their interest rate for that period.
the earnings it needs for operations and returns the remainder
to members,” said Derrell Chapman, chief executive officer. “Our Over the past 15 years, Legacy has returned more than $20 mil-
board of directors approved this distribution based on the co-op’s lion in cash patronage to its customers.
solid financial results in 2020.”
Make payments. Transfer
funds. Get billing statements. Legacy Ag Credit
appoints new chief
Do this and more with Ag Banking Online (ABOL)
— our free mobile banking service.
financial officer
Legacy Ag Credit has named Heather Johnson chief financial
officer. Johnson has 29 years of experience in financial report-
ing, accounting and management in several industries. She has
been with Legacy Ag Credit since 2011, most recently as
controller. Previously at Legacy, she was accounting manager
and a credit analyst.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas
Christian University and is a certified public accountant.
“Heather’s role has grown significantly since she’s been with
Legacy Ag Credit,” said Derrell Chapman, chief executive officer.
“Her extensive experience, integrity and understanding of our
business made her the ideal choice for chief financial officer.”
(866) 885-3522 She succeeds Daryl Belt, who retired after a 27-year Farm
Credit career.
LegacyACA.com
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the seasoned manage-
ment team here at Legacy Ag Credit,” she said. “As a borrower-
owned cooperative, we have great people and a culture focused
on serving our customers.”
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