News

Farm Credit Southeast Missouri selected nine 2024 high school graduates with agriculture related career aspirations to receive $1,000 scholarships to assist with the cost of their higher education.   We are pleased to announce this year’s recipients:Alex Porter, Richland High SchoolAustin Bodenstein, Jackson High SchoolAvery Towery, New Madrid County CentralCarson Hahs, Oak Ridge High SchoolColt Parker, Sikeston High SchoolHunter Maclin, Caruthersville High SchoolLily Stephens, Puxico High School

Farm Credit Southeast Missouri and Three Rivers College are partnering to invest a significant amount to benefit Southeast Missouri over 12 years.A highlight will be a new agriculture education classroom built on the Three Rivers Farm in Fairdealing, Mo. This new classroom will help serve the Southeast Missouri agriculture community as a classroom and meeting/event space. The agreement will include a Farm Credit Southeast Missouri classroom at Three Rivers locations in Poplar Bluff, Dexter, Kennett, and Sikeston.

Farm Credit Southeast Missouri President & CEO Greg Cunningham is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has declared a 2023 cash patronage refund of $8,750,000 to the borrowing members – the largest in the program’s history. The 2023 refund marks the 30th consecutive year of Farm Credit Southeast Missouri’s patronage dividend program.  Since the program began in 1994, over $120 million in cash has been paid back to the customer-owners in Southeast Missouri.   

SIKESTON, MO, January 26, 2023 – Farm Credit Southeast Missouri President & CEO Greg Cunningham is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has declared a 2022 cash patronage refund of $8,500,000 to the borrowing members – the largest in the program’s history.

Portageville, MO – Jay Ward began his employment with Farm Credit in May 2021 as a Senior Loan Officer at the Portageville office. He was promoted to Vice President/Branch Manager in June 2022 working closely with former Vice President/Branch Manager, Mark Weidenbenner, until his retirement effective October 31, 2022.Association President Greg Cunningham stated “Jay brought with him more than 6 years of rural lending experience with concentrations in agriculture and commercial credit. He has proven himself to be self-motivated and a leader within the branch.”

Portageville, MO, October 31, 2022 – Mark Weidenbenner retired on October 31, 2022, from Farm Credit Southeast Missouri with 32 years of service. Weidenbenner joined the organization in 1990 as a Loan Officer and served in the roles of Branch Manager at the Kennett office, Vice President/Branch Manager at the Portageville office, and most recently as Training Coordinator. He will continue in a part time capacity to provide credit training to new and existing association staff members and perform credit analysis when needed.

Dexter MO, October 7, 2022 – Farm Credit Southeast Missouri President & CEO Greg Cunningham is pleased to announce that Holden Bruce has joined the Dexter branch office as a Loan Officer. ​​​​​Holden has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from Southeast Missouri State University. If you’re looking for no-fee loans, long-term fixed rates, patronage refund, and superior customer service, please drop in and visit with Holden, Your Ag Lender, for all your agriculture financing needs! 

Kim Short has joined the staff of our Kennet branch in the role of a customer service representative.

John Walker has joined the staff of our Dexter branch in the role of staff appraiser trainee.

The business of agriculture is always getting more complicated. For better or worse, we like to think we are in it for the long haul. The days are not often balanced and it is easy to say there is never a dull moment! 

SIKESTON, MO, February 1, 2022 – Alan Hicks retired on January 31, 2022, from Farm Credit Southeast Missouri after 35 years of service.  Hicks joined the organization in 1986 as a Loan Officer and served in the roles of Vice President/Branch Manager at the Poplar Bluff office for 25 years, Senior Vice President/Senior Relationship Officer at the Central Office, and most recently as Executive Vice President/Chief Credit Officer for the past 5 years.  

Hailey Driskill has joined the staff of the Sikeston office in the role of Credit Specialist.