GreenStone customer, Sackett Potatoes, has been selected to represent the organization's more than 20,000 members on the national Farm Credit "Producing Excellence" website.
The Farm Credit System, established by President Woodrow Wilson on July 17, 1916, to fill the need for long-term agricultural credit, serves nearly 500,000 borrower-owners with more than $175 billion in loans and financial services in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. 2011 marks the 95th anniversary of this nationwide network of borrower-owned lending institutions and specialized service organizations.
One primary focus of this anniversary celebration is the Farm Credit "Producing Excellence" website. The site celebrates business leaders and entrepreneurs in agriculture and rural America. Using a series of customer profiles like Sackett Potatoes from around the United States, the site highlights the strength, ingenuity and integrity of our nation's successful growers and ranchers.
Each Farm Credit Bank and Association has been invited to feature one customer profile on this Producing Excellence site. Sackett Potatoes was selected to represent GreenStone's customers and showcase the great diversity of agriculture in Michigan and Wisconsin. Based in Michigan's Mecosta County, the 3,350-acre potato operation is owned by Alan Sackett together with his sons, Jeff and Brian, and is a major supplier to potato chip companies like Frito Lay. "Professional, profitable and forward thinking, this operation is a good source of employment for the local work force and a significant contributor to Michigan's economy. Their profile is a great representation of the success of our association's members," said John Jones, vice president of Commercial Lending for GreenStone.
Sackett Potatoes has been very progressive about growing the operation while transitioning more of the ownership and management responsibilities to the sixth generation. "The most enjoyable part of this business is seeing the success of the family growing and continuing to go forward," said Alan as he spoke about how family culture is an integral part of their business dynamic. To view Sackett Potatoes' story, and the other incredible stories featured by Farm Credit, visit www.farmcredit.com/producingexcellence.