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Today’s Email Announcements

Carolina Farm Credit Puts Its Profits in Customers’ Pockets

Carolina Farm Credit is retiring $10.8 million in cash, representing 100% of the 2009 series of qualified allocated surplus and 100% of the 2009 series of non-qualified allocated surplus.  The Association had already declared a patronage of $12.4 million in April of this year.  With cash patronage in the spring, and the retirement of this surplus, the total cash returned to stockholders in 2016 is $23.2 million.

“This is the 28th consecutive year we’ve paid a patronage refund.  Since 1988, Carolina Farm Credit has declared patronage totaling more than $434 million, $375 million of which has been distributed in cash. The Board is pleased to retire the 2009 series to members.  The Association is strong and has positioned itself to weather further economic adversity and continue to be a dependable source of credit to agriculture,” said Kim Starnes, Chairman of the Board.

Vance C. Dalton, Jr., CEO, stated, “Our members will not only gain financial benefits from the surplus retirement, it will help them better understand the linkage between their investment in the Association and benefits derived from doing business with a farmer-owned cooperative.  Like other financial institutions, Carolina Farm Credit charges a competitive interest rate; however, unlike other financial institutions, Carolina Farm Credit returns the majority of its profits to borrowers, which reduces their effective interest rate.”

Visit carolinafarmcredit.com to learn more about the patronage program and view our 90 second patronage video.

Carolina Farm Credit is a stockholder-owned cooperative providing financing to full and part-time farmers and agricultural-related businesses and also provides financing for the construction and purchase of homes in 54 counties through 32 branch offices.  Other financial services available are credit life insurance, appraisal services, leasing programs and financial planning.

For 100 years Farm Credit has been supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.

Carolina Farm Credit serves over 9,200 members with loans outstanding totaling more than $1.4 billion.  The association’s territory covers the western half of North Carolina, with branch offices located in Albemarle, Asheboro, Asheville, Boone, Browns Summit, Burnsville, Carthage, Concord, Conover, Ellerbe, Graham, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Lexington, Lincolnton, Monroe, Murphy, Pilot Mountain, Roxboro, Rural Hall, Salisbury, Shelby, Siler City, Sparta, Spindale, Statesville, Taylorsville, Waynesville, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, and Yanceyville.

Carolina Farm Credit was recognized as a 2015 Best Employer in North Carolina.  The list of theBest Employers in North Carolina was created by Business North Carolina, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – NC State Council and Best Companies Group.

Directors for Carolina Farm Credit are L. Kim Starnes, Chairman, Salisbury; W. Rex Bell, Vice-Chairman, Statesville; John M. Barnard, Statesville; E. Bernard Beck, Seagrove; Mark A. Bray, Lawsonville; David M. Coltrane, Pleasant Garden; Susie J. Gambill, Sparta; Joseph A. Lail, Shelby; Clark M. Newlin, Haw River; Thomas E. Porter, Jr., Concord;  Tony L. Ragan, Sanford; D. Kaleb Rathbone, Waynesville; Lewis E. Smith, Lincolnton; Vickie N. Smitherman, East Bend; Dr. Alton Thompson, Summerfield.

The McMillans in Concert and Fellowship Dinner at Bethel Baptist Oct. 9

The McMillans will be in concert at Bethel Baptist Church at 6:00 pm on Sunday, October 9th. Everyone is invited to join us for a great evening. A complimentary supper and desert fellowship will follow the concert! Bethel Church is located at 123 Mountain Dale Road in Vilas across from Bethel School.

Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger Programs Oct. 5-10

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am-12:00 – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

The second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

Friday, October 7, 2015

 Cone Manor – Milepost 294

3:00-5:00 – Cone Cemetery Walk

Join Rangers Susan and Chuck for a walk to the Cone Cemetery. Meet at the front steps of Cone Manor.

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am -12:00– Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

The second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

Saturday, October 9, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00 am – 11:00 – Coyotes in Our Midst

Visit with a ranger on the porch at Cone Manor to learn about coexisting with an adaptable and resilient carnivore that has greatly expanded its habitat in the last 150 years.

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

11:00 am – Upstairs Guided Tour at Cone Manor

Ranger led tour of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. See Sunday below for details.

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

1:30 pm-3:00 – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

The second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

Julian Price Campground Amphitheater – Milepost 296

7:00 p.m. – Come meet accomplished travel editor and writer Randy Johnson. He has just published Grandfather Mountain: the History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon. Come listen to this renowned author speak about the majesty of Grandfather Mountain.

Sunday, October 10, 2016

 Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor

Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Tour is approximately 45 minutes long and reservations are required. To reserve a tour: call 828-295-3782 or sign up at the NPS information desk at the Manor House. Reservations are accepted beginning at 10:00am Friday for the upcoming weekend only. No advance reservations, please.

ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Special thanks to Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Eastern National, and FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway for their financial support of these programs

Inquiries regarding the Blue Ridge Parkway and its activities are welcomed and should be addressed to:

Superintendent Blue Ridge Parkway

199 Hemphill Knob Road

Asheville, NC 28803

OASIS Crisis Center Benefit at Gamekeeper Tonight

On Thursday, September 29th, we’ll be bringing our best to benefit our friends at OASIS, who work tirelessly to end domestic violence and sexual assault in Watauga & Avery counties.  Bring a friend, or two, (or twenty!) and dine with us.

We’ll start donations at 10% of gross sales, but let’s work together to seat 100 people and 35% will go to OASIS.

Last year, OASIS (oasisinc.org) received over 1,900 crisis and information calls from victims of domestic violence.  Due to the many barriers, victims and children are often trapped in abusive homes or face homelessness.  OASIS provides a confidential emergency shelter for these wounded individuals.  In many cases, clients have shared that they would have “nowhere else to go” if it had not been for the resources of this valuable non-profit. 

By supporting OASIS, you can be a source of hope for those fleeing violence. You can be a part of the solution!  (And enjoy a fabulous meal too!)

And don’t forget…

HALF PRICE Select Bottles of WIne Every Thursday!

Tractor Supply to Award 4-H Scholarships

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY, NATIONAL 4-H COUNCIL

ANNOUNCE FALL PAPER CLOVER CAMPAIGN

New Fall Campaign Aims to Provide nearly $1Million in Scholarship Funds Directly to Standout 4-H Applicants

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Sept. 27, 2016) – Tractor Supply Company, in partnership with National 4-H Council, is announcing the October launch of the 2016 Fall Paper Clover Campaign. From October 5 – October 16, funds will be raised when Tractor Supply shoppers purchase a paper clover for $1 or more at checkout and will be awarded as scholarships to individual 4-H members wishing to attend 4-H camps and leadership conferences across the country. With the completion of the 2016 fall campaign, Tractor Supply and the National 4-H Council hope to reach the milestone of $10 million raised for 4-H members since the partnership began seven years ago.

With the more than $935,351 raised during the 2016 spring campaign, Tractor Supply and its shoppers have now raised more than $9.2 million for 4-H programs across the country in only seven years of Paper Clover Campaigns. The effort has provided direct support to further county level 4-H programs. Effective this fall, funds raised will be used to provide scholarships to youth for 4-H camps and leadership experiences.

 “Partnering with 4-H gives us the opportunity to enhance our stores’ communities and provide support to 4-H members,” said Christi Korzekwa, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Tractor Supply. “With the help of our dedicated customers, these scholarships will allow numerous students to build upon their leadership skills through attendance at youth development camps, strengthening 4-H programs across the country.” 

            Tractor Supply Company and Del’s Feed and Farm Supply customers will have the opportunity to purchase paper clovers between October 5 – October 16for $1 or more during checkout. Tractor Supply will work with 4-H groups on the state level to donate the funds as scholarships to local 4-H members to attend camps and leadership conferences. 4-H members can contact their county agents for information on how to apply. The number of scholarships distributed to students will be determined based on the total amount raised throughout the campaign.

“For many years, this fundraising event has allowed us to provide thousands of 4-H youth across the country greater access to 4-H programs,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO, National 4-H Council. “We are thrilled about our continued partnership with Tractor Supply Company as it drives the excitement of local community participation and support for 4-H programs, and therefore the success of the 4-H Paper Clover Campaign.”

 

About Tractor Supply Company

Tractor Supply Company operates more than 1,500 stores in 49 states. Located in the outlying towns in major metropolitan markets and in rural communities, Tractor Supply Company stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and others who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. The Company offers a comprehensive selection of merchandise for the health, care, growth and containment of horses, livestock and pets including select Purina and Nutrena brand feeds; hardware, truck, towing and tool products; and seasonal products, including lawn and garden items, power equipment, gifts and toys. In addition, the company sells work/recreational clothing and footwear for the entire family and maintenance products for agricultural and rural use. For more information on Tractor Supply, access the website at www.TractorSupply.com.

 

About 4-H

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.