LEWISTON – Farm Credit, Maine’s largest cooperative and agricultural lender, recently held its annual stockholders meeting in Lewiston. The meeting, held at the Ramada Inn, was attended by more than 150 of its members and associates from throughout the state’s farming, forestry and fishing industries.

The cooperative’s Chief Executive Officer Raymond J. Nowak reviewed the highlights of 2002, which included a $1.3 million patronage refund to its customer members. He reported that the total amount of cash distributed to members in the past six years was in excess of $6 million. Other highlights included an 8 percent growth in loan volume, excellent credit quality, strong earnings of $2.5 million and a strong balance sheet with more than 18 percent capital.

Many of the bank’s employees and their spouses were in attendance and were recognized for their dedication and commitment to Farm Credit. Special recognition was given to the following employees: Scott Kenney of Gray – five years of service; Cheryl Mullen of Greene – 10 years of service; Dixie DeLong of Blaine – 15 years of service.

Nowak was recognized for his 20 years of service to Farm Credit, which began after his graduation from the University of Maine’s Agricultural Economics M.S. degree program in 1983. Senior Vice President Richard Robertson of Monmouth and Vice President Neil Piper of Gorham, also University of Maine graduates, were given special recognition for 30 years of service.

At the meeting, Farm Credit also presented its Distinguished Service Award to the Agricultural Council of Maine, a collaborative association of representatives of all of the major farm commodity trade associations in Maine. Russell Libby, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, accepted the award as current president of AGCOM.

Northeast farm business consultant Don Rogers of First Pioneer Farm Credit in Enfield, Conn., was the evening’s guest speaker. He discussed the challenges of balancing family and business issues in a farm business.

Special recognition was also given to Gladys Conant of Canton whose family has been involved with Farm Credit since the early part of the 20th century, both as customers and directors.

Nowak noted that Conant has attended a remarkable 68 Farm Credit stockholder meetings in the past 70 years. In the spring of 2002, she was selected as one of 100 inductees into the 4-H Hall of Fame, which held its 100th anniversary celebration on the same date as last year’s Farm Credit annual meeting. Conant is 95 years old.