Latest News
Map of the California Water & Irrigation Districts
We are excited to be working on a new source of water information for you and your clients. Visit us to find out more: www.cawatermaps.org
Mission
The Ag Lenders Society of California is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to serve as the premier provider of education and information for professionals engaged directly or indirectly in the business of agricultural lending. The Society focuses its efforts on current issues affecting both agriculture and agricultural lending in the state of California, while providing a diversified network for agri-business professionals.
Message from the President
“Every morn brought forth a noble chance, and every chance brought forth a noble knight.”
~ Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill made this statement as part of his speech to the House of Commons in 1940 in the midst of the Battle of Britain. With London under constant bombardment from the German Luftwaffe during the onset of WWII, the British Prime Minister maintained a stoic demeanor. The British Prime Minister was not going let this be the end of Western Civilization, but it’s “Finest Hour.”
Today it may feel our country and our industry is under siege, albeit not with bombs, but with pessimism. The economy has stalled, banks are under stress, government seems to be the only growth industry, and these are just the financial problems. Through the crucible of the media and government, agri-business is far too often depicted as a corporate villain like Big Pharma or Big Oil, spraying toxic pesticides and exploiting farm workers. And banking is depicted as Wall Street with traders selling toxic mortgage-backed securities labeled as “AAA”.
But, this morn does indeed put forth a noble chance. Will you be that noble knight?
The agri-business industry that we help finance has saved millions of people from malnutrition and starvation through increased productivity. To help the farmer, dairyman, and rancher create the food and fiber that the world needs, the agri-finance community needs to stay in tune with market, financial, and government environments.
The Ag Lenders Society of California continues to serve its members with informative programs on agriculture and lending. And, through the Ag Lending Institute (ALI) at Fresno State University, our society educates the lenders of tomorrow in California agriculture. As the premier institute for Ag lending professionals, ALI's goal is to develop effective leaders in agricultural finance. Over the last eleven years more than 200 participants have successfully completed the training. Bankers from as far as Europe and Latin America are now attending the Ag Lending Institute for their continuing education needs. And, beginning in 2012, the Ag Lender’s Society of California will begin funding three scholarships for high school graduates who major in ag-related studies at a four-year college.
Your board of directors is working hard to produce insightful programs for current and future leaders of agri-business. Please contact me if you have ideas or interests for the society to address in future
Thank you for your support.
Michael Flynn
Board President
