Pat Calhoun, CEO of AgSouth Farm Credit, announced that Bo Fennell has joined the cooperative as CFO and will be based in the company’s headquarters in Statesboro.

Fennell is a native of Statesboro and was most recently employed as CFO at Altamaha Bank and Trust in Vidalia. Prior to that he was CFO at Eagle Bank and Trust and First Southern National Bank, both in Statesboro.

A graduate of Georgia Southern University, Fennell obtained his degree in accounting and was All-American on the golf team while in college. 

He played professional golf for several years before beginning his banking career.

Fennell is a graduate of Leadership Bulloch and Leadership Georgia. He has served as treasurer for Bulloch Academy, chairman for the Chris Schenkel Collegiate Golf Tournament and chairman of the Finance Committee at First Baptist Church.

Calhoun said, “We are happy to welcome Bo to AgSouth. His expertise and experience in dealing with the many financial intricacies of the banking industry will be a tremendous asset to AgSouth as we continue to grow and serve the needs of our members.”

Farmers markets grants

AgSouth Farm Credit Marketing Director Christy Smith announced that the cooperative has once again set aside $25,000 to help community-based farmers markets promote their markets during 2018. 

AgSouth’s purpose in awarding these grants is to increase awareness of how choosing to purchase locally-produced foods and goods benefits each community’s health and economy. 

Smith said that, “As part of the Farm Credit System, AgSouth Farm Credit has been providing financial support to farmers and those in our rural areas for more than a century. This is the sixth year we have provided funds to help local markets with their advertising, and we’re proud to add our Farmers Market Grants to a long list of ways we continue to support agriculture.”

Fifty farmers markets in AgSouth’s territory will receive $500 to help promote their markets. All grant applications must be completed in full and received by the association by March 9. Visit AgSouthFC.com for grant guidelines.