Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is holding annual elections for directors this fall. If you're a stockholder, which in this case means you're a customer, you should have already received a ballot. You have until Oct. 12 to cast your vote.
The farm financial cooperative serves four states – Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio. The Board consists of 16 directors, plus two independent directors. Each state has four directors at any one time on the board. One position rotates each year. So every year one director's slot is up for each state. This year there are two in Tennessee since a sitting director advanced to a position higher in the co-op system.
According to Randy Barbee, communications director, members also vote for the 2013 nominating committee when they cast their ballots. This is the committee that identifies candidates in each state for next year's director positions.
The two Hoosiers vying for the seat this year are active and well-known through their work in various positions and farm organizations. Dan Arnholt, Columbus, began his career with Public Service Indiana, and was manager of the Bartholomew County REMC for many years, before retiring. His wife, Susan, operates the family farm, emphasizing no-till and conservation farming methods. Now that he's retired, Dan and a son also assist her on the farm. He remains active in other interests as well, serving as president of CAPCO, and as president of the Bartholomew County Convention, Recreation and Visitor's Commission.
The other candidate, Kevin Cox, is a lifelong farmer near Brazil. He also is known as a no-tiller who takes good care of his land. He also operates a trucking company and is president of a landholding company. He is a local REMC director, and has been very active with Indiana Farm Bureau, both locally and with the Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer's group.
Cox is the incumbent seeking re-election to the Farm Credit Services of Mid-America Board of Directors. He was first elected to the Board in 2008.
If you're a stockholder, be sure to cast your ballot by Oct.12.