webmaster

Starting in 1996, the Farm Financial Standards Council (Council) established a Benefactor Program to recognize those individuals and organizations who wish to contribute resources to support the work of the Council.

Benefactor Levels

Four levels of sponsorship have been established for the Council:

	Visionary Sponsors are those organizations or individuals who pledge $7,500 or more to support the work of the Council, either in a lump sum or in annual installments spread over a period of 2-5 years. Visionary sponsors are entitled to receive an electronic copy of all Council publications for internal use (intranet or duplication), to place a graphical link on the Council Web Site, (www.ffsc.org), to receive a complimentary registration at the summer symposium and annual meeting, and to purchase Council publications at a discounted price.
	Platinum Sponsors are those organizations or individuals who have pledged $2,500 - $7,499 in the current fiscal year of the Council. Platinum sponsors are entitled to place a graphical link on the Council Web site, to receive a complimentary registration at the summer symposium and annual meeting, and to purchase Council publications at a discounted price.
	Gold Sponsors are those organizations or individuals who have pledged $1,000 - $2,499 in the current fiscal year of the Council. Gold sponsors are entitled to receive a complimentary registration at the summer symposium and annual meeting, and to purchase Council publications at a discounted price.
	Silver Sponsors are those organizations or individuals who have pledged a gift of $100 to $999 in the current fiscal year of the Council.

All sponsors receive recognition in the Council’s Annual Report, a complimentary copy of any Council publications issued during the year, a copy of the Financial Guidelines for Agricultural Producers, and copies of Update, the Council newsletter.

Organizational Background

The Council is a not-for-profit (501(c)(3)) corporation governed by a 48-person Board of Directors. The Directors represent a cross section of industry groups with interest in the compilation, reporting, and analysis of farm financial data. Industry groups currently represented on the Board include: agricultural producers, academicians, accountants, bankers, Farm Credit System lenders, FSA lenders, insurance industry lenders, supply company lenders, and service providers (consultants, software developers, and record keeping associations). A list of the current Board of Directors is found in the Annual Report.

The activities of the Council are managed by an Executive Committee comprised of three elected officers, the immediate past president and 3-6 other Directors appointed to chair/co-chair Standing Committees. Day to day administration is provided by Carroll Merry of Countryside Marketing, Inc., who serves as the Administrator of the Council.

How Does the Council Help the Industry?

The publication of Financial Guidelines for Agricultural Producers has already had a major impact. Academics, software developers, consultants, accountants, and bankers have all used the document as a reference source in the development of educational programs, accounting and analysis software, and forms for use with agricultural producers. Commodity groups, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Pork Producers Council, National Dairy Herd Improvement Association, and others have used the document as a foundation for the development of integrated production and financial performance measures.

However, the work is not done. Thousands of bankers, accountants, and agricultural producers are still unaware of the Financial Guidelines for Agricultural Producers and how the suggested guidelines might be incorporated into the standardized financial reporting and analysis of farm and ranch businesses. With your help, we can continue to increase the awareness and adoption of the Financial Guidelines for Agricultural Producers and other Council recommendations.

For What is Your Money Used?

Historically, the Council has operated from a very small budget, with no compensated staff support. In 1996, the Board authorized an arrangement with Countryside Marketing, Inc., to provide administrative services in support of Council activities. This allowed the Council to establish a permanent mailing address and contact point for individuals and organizations interested in its publications and activities.

The Council currently hosts two meetings per year – a Technical Symposium for discussion of financial reporting, analysis, database, and awareness and adoption issues, and the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. The Technical Symposium is typically held in August and the Annual Meeting is usually held in November, just prior to the annual conference of the Agricultural Division of the American Bankers Association. Modest registration fees are charged for these meetings and are intended to defray direct meeting-related costs.

Payments received from the sale of Financial Guidelines for Agricultural Producers cover the expense of printing, handling and mailing, with approximately a 25 percent net return to the Council.

If a benefactor prefers, sponsorships can be for funding certain specific Council projects, such as Web Site development and maintenance, printing and mailing of informational materials, and/or funding of travel and meeting expenses for Directors requiring such financial assistance.

For What is Your Money Not Used?

The Council takes no part in political activity of any sort. The Council is not a legislative influencing group.

Will You Help?

The Council promotes uniformity and integrity in agricultural financial reporting and analysis. The Council operates on a modest budget, as you can see from the Annual Report. Your support is important and will help keep the Council’s stream of volunteerism alive and going in the right direction to maintain current and relevant guidelines for the industry and to increase awareness and adoption of those guidelines.

If you are willing to support the Council with a monetary donation, please e-mail your interest to the FFSC or drop us a line indicating the level of support you would like to provide. Our mailing address is N78 W14573 Appleton Ave #287
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051, Phone- 262-253-6902, Fax-262-253-6903, cmerry@countryside-marketing.com

If you are unable to help the Council with a donation, but would like to get involved in the activities of the Council, please contact Carroll Merry at the address indicated above or call him at 262-253-6902.

Thank you for your support.