The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

"Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man." –George Washington

Agriculture has from the beginning of our nation been the driving force of our country.

During President Washington's day, the population was around 2.5 million and everyone depended on the land for survival. In 2019, we have fewer than 2.2 million farmers and ranchers that feed a U.S. population nearing 330 million and a global population of 7.6 billion. The fact is they have enormous responsibility and commitment to our nation, and it should be the general population should have the same response to the farmer and rancher. There should be a day, a week, a month that recognizes farmers, rancher, and agribusinesses. In our rural community, everything depends on those who make their livelihood on the land, on to those who make their lifestyle centered in the country.

Everyone in rural Montana knows the how valuable we are, but it is difficult to believe when times are so tough in Agriculture.

Kaare Engebretson an Ag Lender from Stockman Bank sat down with me and said, "I just think farmers and ranchers are some of the smartest most innovative people on the plant. It goes unrecognized! They are the unsung heroes of America. Look at the number of food they raise."

He clearly believes bankers and farmers are partners. Kaare said, "We understand our success is directly related to their success. We wish everyone success. We work hard for the them."

"Agriculture is circular. Better times are coming I firmly believe that." His advice to farmers and ranchers was, "In order to get through the down times of ag they need to focus on their management skills--the timeliness of seeding, the timeliness of spraying, timeliness of marketing. They need to know where their budget is." Monitoring it, pay attention to it during the course of the year. Bank lenders should be able to help with the management of budgets.

Kaare Engebretson farms and ranches south of Gilford. He went to school in KG and then to the U of M. A Griz fan, he has worked as an accountant in Great Falls for five years before he came back to the farm and ranch. He and his brother lease the family farm, so he completely understands.

He understands the difficulties, and recognizes the ripple effect of the Midwest farming foreclosures are having in Montana. "We don't want to lend farmers into bankruptcy." The bankers for both the farm and ranch try to determine where a lender may be over spending.

"The biggest thing I can do, if money is the issue, is to make it so they are comfortable with the issues. We don't want to send them out the door without a solution. When someone leaves here and they don't have any idea how to deal with their situation. That is when they get

desperate. So, when they leave the bank and have a solution and can say 'I know what I need to do."

Times are "extremely difficult because everything is going up. They price of fuel, the price of seed, the price of chemicals, the price of machinery is sky rocking."

They are pulling for farmers. "If the farmer or rancher feels your banker is the enemy. They probably need a new lender. This is a give and take relationships."

Stockman Bank Agriculture loans are between $700,000,000 to $800,000,000.

Matt Wertheimer has been an Ag Lending for 16 years at Independence Bank and is now Vice President. "I grew Utica. Charlie Russell Country." He graduated in Ag Business and did go back to the ranch 5-6 years, but decided to make a change. And it's been good.

"Agriculture industry has been very difficult. Ranchers are still coming out of the 17-18 winter. We are still feeling the effects of that. And this winter has just been brutal. Cattle prices are hanging in there so if we can keep the calves alive they do have a chance to be profitable. Commodity prices continue to decline, with the amount of the snow we have coming out of the gate, we have a little bit of moisture, but if we don't get the rains and we have a droughty summer with commodity prices it's going to be difficult. It's hard enough to just cover operating cost, but if there is any kind of substantial debt load it just that more difficult."

As a loan officer, he likes to spend a lot of time with the borrower. "We should have a very open and meaningful discussion with them. We should be able to determine if they are depressed." Bankers receive no formal training on depression, but believes Independent Bank and the farmers and ranchers are absolutely partners.

Independent Bank has Agriculture loans over $600,000,000.

Farmers and ranchers are the foundation of our state and nation. During difficult times finding good counsel and making a plan to ride out the times is imperative. We are all in this together. Main street businesses as well as small town newspapers support our neighbors.