Positioning Your Farm Business for Successful Transition

F&M Bank actively supports local farmers throughout Virginia and we are forever hoping to connect our communities with resources that make a difference.  Virginia Cooperative Extension is hosting an informative workshop to help local farmers seeking to transition ownership to the next generation.  See registration details in their press release below.

Positioning Your Farm Business for Successful Transition

With most farms in Virginia being family owned and operated, it is very important to take the time to discuss the future. Please mark your calendars to join us at one of four locations across the state for an interactive workshop the week of February 20-23, 2023 to join Dick Wittman of Wittman Consulting. Dick has worked for Farm Credit Administration, successfully managed and transitioned his family’s multi-generation farm/ranch, helped family farm businesses as a consultant for three decades, and authored a guidebook titled Building Effective Farm Management Systems.

This workshop will be of interest for folks who are facing many different scenarios when it comes to transition. Some farms hope to transition ownership and management to next generation successors. But what if the successors have limited or no capital and want to work on the farm, hoping to assume ownership later. How do you as owners get “out of the way” but “not go away?”. What if your successors don’t want to work on the farm, but they don’t want you to sell their heritage? Come prepared to look at transition strategies that can be adapted to a multitude of scenarios. A case study workshop will immerse participants in real-world transition scenarios that will provide take home experience and build confidence in how to move forward.

Taking the time to discuss your wishes and plans for the future of your land can be hard but is very important and we hope you will take the time to join us with your family/business partners. Registration is open for the following dates and locations, register here: https://tinyurl.com/2023vafarmtransition. Cost for one attendee is $35 and additional family/business partners are $10/person. This full day workshop will start with registration at 8am and run until 3pm.

Farm Transition Event Flyer

Monday, February 20, 2023 – Culpeper County, Brandy Station VFD, Brandy Station, VA

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 – Wythe County, APEX, Wytheville, VA

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 – Augusta County, Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, VA

Thursday, February 23, 2023 – Dinwiddie County, Eastside Community Enhancement Center, Petersburg, VA

If you have any questions please contact Crysti Hopkins 540-967-3422 hcrysti2@vt.edu or Rachel Henley 804-598-5640 rachelhenley@vt.edu.

Press release shared by Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension 1/4/2023. 

The 20th Annual SWAT Competition Returns to Harrisonburg 

Following a two-year pandemic pause, Harrisonburg Police Department’s SWAT Competition returns to the Valley on October 14. The competition kicks off at 7:30am with an opening ceremony, followed by teams of Virginia-based uniformed officers participating in a full day of scored events. The heats include shooting scenarios, obstacle courses, found officer rescues, and a mystery event requiring officers to think and react quickly, as they would in the line of duty. At the conclusion of the competition, an awards ceremony recognizes top scoring individuals and teams.

This mental and physical challenge helps SWAT officers keep their edge. Placing officers in the most realistic scenarios – making decisions under stress – gives individuals and teams a realistic perspective of their strengths and weaknesses.

Lieutenant Chris Monahan – Division Commander of HPD’s Special Operations Division – is organizing the competition, which already has 17 teams registered, significantly more than prior years. Monahan stated, “We see this as a good opportunity to build camaraderie and relationships with other SWAT agencies in the state. In the event of a crisis in our area, we know our neighboring agencies can provide the skills and resources required.”

F&M proudly supports this competition because we know that better trained officers better serve our communities, and the value of knowing one’s colleagues and building relationships is integral to success in any organization.

The event is held at Harper-Presgraves Training Grounds and is open to the public.

Digging Deep: Connected Communities Inc.

May was National Mental Health Month, and we were happy to spend some time with Connected Communities Inc., a local organization that specializes in offering therapeutic counseling, mentorship programs, and trauma therapy to youth ages 6-17 and young adults/adults.

Throughout the pandemic, discussions surrounding mental health and self-care have become more mainstream.  Employers, workers, and family members have been challenged to adjust their routines, and methods of communication, and remain safe while following a seemingly ever-changing standard of safety.

One of our clients has been in the trenches providing aid to this exact topic.  Connected Communities was formed by a team of individuals that saw an opportunity to improve the lives of children and families in their neighborhoods.  The organization launched in July of 2017 by a small team with big goals to introduce a different approach to aiding youth and adolescent mental health.

We recently sat down with the founders of Connected Communities to learn more about its mission and about its success.

Mission & Value Proposition

“Over the course of our careers, we witnessed so many children who needed an outlet, a trusted person to confide in who were simply left out.  Counseling can be expensive, and many programs aren’t tailored to be readily available to children in poor environments.”Tavan Mair    

Seeing the need to serve children and families that institutional programs had failed, Connected Communities seeks to connect with these individuals and provide a more customized experience.  They actively support the most difficult cases to fix generational systems that aren’t serving the minority demographic. Institutional programs, while necessary and supportive, can be limited by standardized structures that may not suit the needs of every client.

Connected Communities seeks to meet its communities where they are and to create a tailored approach for each client. While many organizations discharge clients after missing a couple of sessions, Connected Communities subscribes to a different philosophy.  The team understood its client base dealt with overwhelming obstacles and the last thing it wanted to do was take away an outlet from struggling individuals.

“We simply don’t discharge clients very often.  We serve kids and families that are juggling an array of scheduling and transportation obstacles.  We see kids struggling with substance abuse, threatening family lives, and assist parents who simply want a better life for their families.  Instead of discharge, we continue communication with clients who miss appointments and keep building trust.  That’s how change happens.”Megan Slaughter, Human Resources + Finance Director

Connected Communities currently maintains a short waiting list.  Many institutions have a three-six month waiting list which may increase panic in clients desperate for assistance.  The organization maps its hiring strategy to meet demands and prevent a long wait period for any client needing to be onboarded.

 

Counseling During the Pandemic

Connected Communities began assisting its home market, Frederick County, in 2017 but officially opened a location near Old Town Winchester in May of 2019.  Its success after this was due to a unique value proposition just before the onset of the impending pandemic that surged in 2020.

Connected Communities, with the rest of the world, faced the difficulties of the pandemic.  Many organizations transitioned to virtual-only counseling. While virtual sessions were offered, this team understood that many of their clients didn’t have access to reliable internet and technology to maintain a regular treatment plan.  They also felt an opportunity to provide a haven for clients who needed an escape from their home environment. They safely continued in-person counseling throughout the pandemic to accommodate their community’s needs.

The need to maintain a sense of regularity became of utmost importance to the counselors that work with Connected Communities.

“There are families who drastically suffered during the pandemic.  Families who went without income, children who couldn’t keep up with schoolwork that was virtual, and parents who were trying to explain why life was different now due to the spread of COVID.”  -Krystal DeWalt, Clinical Director

Connected Communities also launched a program, Home For Now, to provide a pandemic-safe environment for students in underserved areas, helping them to stay on track with school while still having a safe outlet with their counselors. This program is still active and continues to support students who are readjusting to daily in-person school.

Culture

F&M Bank understands that any successful organization that makes this level of impact does so with the foundation of an incredible team.  Tavan Mair founded the organization after many years of serving in various state and local programs aiming to help troubled youth.  While he modestly attributes the organization’s success to his team, Tavan’s passion for making an impact in his community, and his tenacity to overcome adversity, is what inspired so many of his team to join his initiative.

“We’ve implemented a value-driven hiring policy.  In order for us to reach the lives we are called to; we feel it’s important to hire teammates that share in our values.” –Mair

Krystal DeWalt met Mair while working together at a different organization and built a mutual bond over shared concerns  where their industry was lacking in terms of helping families of various minority and income statuses.  “Tavan really is one-of-a-kind.  We met several years ago and discussed how we can set a better standard in the industry, or at least close more gaps.”

The organization has employees who have relocated to join the team simply because they wholeheartedly believe in its mission.  Connected Communities built its team to represent the communities they serve.  They found it important to have counselors that children could relate to and had shared backgrounds.

“One of my favorite moments while working here happened just a few weeks ago.  We were sponsoring an event for troubled youth in a nearby town on a Saturday night.  It was calling for bad weather and many other organizations backed out, but we wanted to show up.  The number of Connected Communities staff that showed up and gave up their rainy Saturday night to make an impact on kids assured me that I’m in the right place.  I work with a team who genuinely cares.”Slaughter

 

More About the Organization

Connected Communities specializes in offering therapeutic counseling, mentorship programs, and trauma therapy to youth ages 6-17 and young adults/adults.  With a footprint spanning from Winchester to Augusta County, the organization is actively growing to meet the needs of each neighborhood it expands into.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues, or are facing a troubling time, you can contact Connected Communities at info@cciwinchester.com or call 540-404-5985. 

 

Best of Virginia 2022

F&M Bank has been grateful to play a part in the growth of Virginia’s economy and remains committed to being a locally owned and publicly traded community bank right here where we all live, work and play.

In May 2022, Virginia Living Magazine announced results for its “Best of Virginia” annual list following a readers’ survey conducted earlier in the year. Our teammates are beyond humbled to be recognized among the top three Best Banking Services in the Shenandoah Valley region.  Thank you, readers, neighbors and friends, for your vote. We appreciate it!

Follow us out on the OTC Market Index: #FMBM. Look for @fmbankva on social media channels for the latest news, events and community updates!

F&M Bank welcomes Erica Deluhery to Commercial Banking Team

F&M Bank’s leadership team welcomes Erica Deluhery to her new role as Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager. Mrs. Deluhery joins F&M Bank most recently from Frontier Community Bank and brings with her 4 years of community banking experience.

Erica commented, “I’m excited to contribute my experience and expertise to a talented banking team. I look forward to making new connections and growing relationships to provide our clients a ‘best-in-class’ community banking experience.”

In this role, Mrs. Deluhery will build client relationships, supporting small and large Virginia-based businesses. F&M Bank’s Senior Vice President and Valley Market Executive, Katherine Preston, commented, “We are thrilled Erica has joined the F&M Bank family as we continue to grow and achieve our strategic business goals. She brings a wealth of experience to this position and will be integral to our team’s progress moving forward.”

Erica earned a Bachelor of Science in History from Liberty University and is currently entering her final year of Virginia Bankers’ School of Bank Management held in Charlottesville, Virginia. She enjoys spending time with her family, running, and reading a good book. Erica is an active member of the Waynesboro Rotary Club. She will support the bank’s market service area and be based at the Myers Corner bank branch in Staunton, VA.

Contact Erica at the “Get in Touch” form directly below!

Meet Our Advisors: Kate Bray

Kate Bray joined our team in the first quarter of 2021 and quickly became a client favorite. She is currently an Investment Relationship Specialist working closely with Matt Robinson.  Her positive energy and eagerness to assist clients helped her obtain all her securities licensing within one year of joining our team.  We recently sat down with Kate to reflect on her first year with F&M and learn more about what makes her shine.

 

What makes Kate, Kate?  

I grew up here in Harrisonburg and graduated from Turner Ashby (04).  I graduated from George Mason (08) and lived outside of DC for a few years after college working as an executive assistant at a large consulting firm.  At 25 I decided to move back to town to purchase and run Cinnamon Bear Bakery & Deli, a small local restaurant and did that for 6 years.   After that, I worked for two years as a paralegal and have now landed in my true destined field of financial services.   I have a husband, Greg, and an energetic, sweet, and wonderful 6-year-old son, Luke.  In my spare time, I love to go to local restaurants & wineries, watch Bravo, go to OrangeTheory, play roller derby, and take my son around to his miscellaneous activities.  I like food, wine, tv, and laughing, and I find it very difficult to take anything in life too seriously.

Where are you from?

Harrisonburg, VA

What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?

Positive thinking and adaptability to work with different personalities and understand where people are coming from to accomplish collective goals.

How do you start your day?

Coffee

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of?

I am proud of accomplishing all my securities licensing within a year of coming to F&M Financial Services.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I love the Real Housewives franchise on Bravo.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?

I love to cater parties.

What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?

Fiji

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

Telepathy

Share the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you.

  • Don’t apologize when an apology is not needed or apologize for someone else’s mistake. Take accountability to correct any mistakes you’ve made.
  • Manifest Destiny.

What activities do you participate in over the weekend?

  • Roller Derby
  • Exercise / Kickboxing
  • Get together with friends at fun local places

List three items on your bucket list

  • Visit every continent
  • See a bioluminescent bay
  • Attend Food & Wine classic in Aspen

If you could quickly and easily learn any new skill, what would it be?

Divination

 

 

Kate Bray is a Registered Representative, Osaic Institutions, Inc.

Investment and insurance products and services are offered through Osaic Institutions, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. F&M Financial Services is a trade name of F&M Bank. Osaic Institutions and F&M Bank are not affiliated.

Securities and Insurance Products:

Not Guaranteed by the Bank | Not FDIC Insured | Not a Deposit | Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency | May Lose Value Including Loss of Principal

F&M Bank Opens Old Town Winchester Banking Center 

A second branch location will follow in late 2022

TIMBERVILLE, Va. (April 25, 2022) – On Monday, April 18, F&M Bank continued its growth in Winchester with a new banking center located in historic Old Town Winchester. This is F&M Bank’s 13th branch in Virginia. Later in 2022, a second Winchester branch location is slated to open west of Old Town on Amherst Street.

F&M Bank identified Winchester as a strategic growth opportunity due to its thriving local economy, prospering businesses, robust non-profit network, and a community that’s committed to preserving its history while at the same time looking to the future.

“As a bank with more than 100 years of history we look to do business with people and communities that align with our values – and for us, Winchester is a perfect match,” said Mike Wilkerson, Chief Lending Officer and Winchester Market Executive. “The ‘Top of Virginia’ is thriving and our sweet spots of agriculture, non-profit and business banking reflect the needs of our community. In a world of bank consolidation and branch closures, F&M is committed to organic growth and market expansion. When we expand our ability to serve our customers, everybody wins.”

In January 2021, F&M Bank opened a commercial banking and loan production office in the Winchester market with an experienced banking team that has a 20-year history of working together. This northern Shenandoah Valley market has accrued over $36 million in deposits and $21 million in loans. Mr. Wilkerson leads the team, consisting of John Sargent, SVP, and Jonathan Reimer, SVP, Commercial Relationship Managers; and Gail Pryde, Business Relationship Specialist.

Today, with the announcement of its Old Town location opening, this team is excited to leverage their 150 years of combined banking experience to deliver customized loan, deposit, and cash management solutions to business and personal customers.

Lauren Fravel has been named as Banking Center Specialist for the Old Town Winchester location. Lauren brings over 25 years of experience to the team and is eager to welcome new customers. The banking center will also employ associates for F&M Mortgage and VS Title in the coming months.

The branch is located at 3 South Cameron Street, at the corner of Boscawen and Cameron Streets. Hours are 8:30am am to 5:00 pm with extensive digital offerings available online and on the F&M Bank mobile app.

National Ag Day with F&M Bank

National Ag Day

 

National Ag Day is March 22, 2022!  Virginia’s agricultural production is one of the most diverse in the nation. Many Virginia commodities and products rank in the top 10 among all U.S. states.  Our local farmers, and other agriculture experts, represent a leading group of industry movers and shakers that support our economy and sustain life for our region, and beyond.

 

 

Virginia is home to over 43,000 farms that cover nearly 8 million acres across the Commonwealth.  98% of all farms in the United States are family-owned and operated.  These families sacrifice a lot to feed our communities and sustain life throughout our region.  F&M strives to thank farmers throughout the year and we encourage our community to take a moment next week to thank a local farmer as we celebrate our farming community!

 

Farming is the biggest private industry in Virginia

 

F&M has been supporting local farmers for over 100 years.  We’ve helped farmers navigate several economic cycles from recessions and droughts to boom periods with flourishing production.  These experiences and partnerships have helped us develop tailored products that include equipment financing, land expansion, cattle purchases, waste management funding, and lines of credit.

 

Learn More about our line of Ag products, or contact one of our Agri-Business specialists at agribusiness@fmbankva.com.

 

 

 

F&M Bank Receives Greater Augusta County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Award

Augusta Regional Chamber Announces 2022 Business Excellence Awards Winners

Reprinted with permission from the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce

Fishersville, February 16, 2021– As the premier business organization serving Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro, the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce represents over 550 diverse businesses that work together to stimulate the economy for this outstanding community. Through the annual Business Excellence Awards, the Chamber is able to recognize the outstanding success of exemplary businesses and individual leaders. Courtney Thompson, President & CEO of the Chamber said, “We are so excited to announce our Business Excellence award winners. We had numerous excellent businesses, organizations and individuals nominated this year and these winners really represent the best of the best.”

The Chamber is very proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Business Excellence Awards:

● New Business of the Year: RX Coffee & More
● Small Business of the Year: Staunton Innovation Hub
● Large Business of the Year: F & M Bank
● Woman Owned Business of the Year: SweetNanaCakes
● Nonprofit of the Year: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
● Young Professional of the Year: Debbie Irwin, Shenandoah Community Capital Fund
● Citizen of the Year: Dan Layman, Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge

The Chamber will honor each of these winners and deliver its year in review at the Business Excellence Awards on March 10 at Hotel 24 South. For more information about the winners or the event, contact Courtney Thompson at (540) 324-1133 or courtney@augustava.com.