Agricultural
At Wilson & Muir Bank, we talk a lot about building communities. In many of our markets, agriculture is at the heart of those communities. We are proud to partner with our local farmers as we value their role not only in Kentucky, but throughout the world. And we’ve been doing it since 1865.
Whether it’s your hobby or your livelihood, invite us out to see your operation or stop by one of our offices and let us know how Wilson & Muir can help you grow. We make our decisions right here with flexible terms to meet your needs. We have a working knowledge of how your business operates because many of us are farmers too.
At Wilson & Muir, we don’t just want to be your bank, we want to be your trusted partner. Not only do we have the best financing solutions for you, we want to bring our local farming community together to learn from each other in the field, ledger books, and family business planning. Let’s get growing!
Agriculture Loans
Loans for Purchasing Farms
Adding acres to your farming operation, buying a new farm, or wanting to refinance your existing farm? Wilson & Muir Bank (WMB) can help with loans structured to fit your needs. We will meet personally with you to design financing that fits. Best of all, you get decisions locally, not from an entity that doesn’t know or understand you.
This is also a plus when it comes to servicing your loan, providing flexibility in payment streams, and the opportunity to make changes when needed. We will be there for you. We have been for more than 150 years. Compare that to lenders who come and go, leaving you scrambling to find someone who knows your farming operation.
Whether you are buying a new farm, or seeking to refinance an existing mortgage, WMB offers:
- Up to 85% financing on farm real estate.
- Loan terms up to 30 years.
- Fixed rate protection with our five and seven year lock programs.
- Repayment plans that fit your cash-flow.
- Low closing costs.
- Approvals within a week or less for real estate loans.
- Local bank decisions made swiftly on your submission.
Plus, for special needs, WMB brings more tools to help farmers. These include:
- Financing up to 90% with Farm Service Agency (FSA) Guarantees.
- Beginning & Young Farmer Programs with up to 95% financing.
- Use of Kentucky Ag Finance Corporation (KAFC) programs specially designed for farmers.
WMB can also provide funds to meet the expenses of running a farm through:
- Lines of Credit with annual renewals, and two year renewals when secured with real estate
- Farm equipment loans for any type of machinery or vehicle.
Farm Equipment Loans
When you need money for farm equipment and vehicles, Wilson & Muir Bank (WMB) can help with quick, reliable financing. We can meet with you personally or do business over the phone because we know time is precious. After all, you can’t wait for equipment at crucial moments like harvest. You’ll get fast, local decisions that get you back to farming with the equipment you need.
Whether you need a tractor, hay equipment, tillage or specialty equipment like irrigation rigs, farm trucks, trailers, or other vehicles, WMB bank offers:
- Financing for new and used equipment of all kinds.
- Terms up to 7 years, depending on type and age of equipment.
- Repayment plans that fit (so important because every farm has a unique cash flow. We understand payments need to match harvest and sale cycles).
- Fast approvals, often on the same day.
- Local bank decisions.
WMB can also provide funds to meet the expenses of running a farm through:
- Lines of Credit with annual renewals, and two year renewals when secured with real estate
- Farm mortgage loans for adding acres, buying a new farm, or refinancing an existing loan.
Livestock, Crop and Farm Operation Loans
When you need money to run a farm, Wilson & Muir Bank (WMB) can help with operating loans and lines of credit, structured to your needs. We will meet with you personally to design financing that fits your operation. Best of all, you get decisions locally, not from an entity that doesn’t know or understand you.
That is also a plus when it comes to servicing your loan, providing flexibility in payment streams, and the opportunity to make changes when needed. We will be there for you. We have been for more than 150 years. Compare that to lenders who come and go, leaving you scrambling to find someone who knows your farming practice.
Whether you are buying cattle, or need money for fertilizer and seed or other farm inputs, WMB offers:
- Annual operating loans with competitive rates.
- Two-year renewable lines of credit (with real estate security)
- Repayment plans that fit. This is so important because every farm has a unique cash flow. We understand payments need to match your harvest and sale cycles.
- Fast approvals
- Local bank decisions made swiftly on your submission.
WMB can also provide funds to meet the expenses of running a farm through:
- Farm equipment loans for any type of machinery or vehicle.
- Mortgage loans to purchase land or refinance your farm.
Multi-year Line of Credit
Flexibility is critical on a farm. Weather, commodity prices, and other conditions impact your marketing cycles. The worst problem is having to sell at the wrong time because a payment is due, or your loan is due. Our multi-year line of credit provides an opportunity to make those decisions at the right time. The 24-month term covers any extended cropping cycle, meaning you won’t have to sell at harvest (typically the lowest price point). For livestock operators, it gives you the flexibility to sell or buy lots, as opportunities present themselves.
Every farming operation is unique. That is why we meet with you to design financing that fits your farm and its cycles. Best of all, you get loan decisions locally, not from an entity that doesn’t know or understand your operation. That’s also a plus when it comes to servicing your loan, providing flexibility in payment streams, and the opportunity to make changes when needed.
A line of credit loan from Wilson & Muir Bank offers:
- Two-year open period to draw and pay back on your line when secured by real estate.
- Your loan must be backed with real estate security.
- You pay interest only on funds outstanding. We do not require excess capitalization fees or charge unfunded balance fees as some others do.
- A 24-month line of credit provides great flexibility for your marketing and sales.
- Fast approvals
- Local decisions made swiftly on your submission.
- Your line can be renewed vs. having to be refinanced.
WMB Ag Lending Team
We understand the passion for farming because many of us are farmers ourselves. We’re proud to work the land passed down through generations and we invest the same blood sweat and tears that you do. We are ready to answer the call when you need us. Most of all, we are committed, as farmers and as a financial institution in supporting our local farmers and strengthening the future generations of farmers to come.
Andy Bishop, Loan Officer, Main Office
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Located at our Main Office in Bardstown, Andy is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Master of Science degree in Agriculture. Andy’s experience ranges from teaching Agriculture at Westmoreland High School in Tennessee, where he was named Teacher of the Year, to developing various business strategies for local farmers and managing a loan portfolio in Agricultural Finance.
Andy has spent most of his 13-year banking career in agricultural lending focused primarily in Central Kentucky but has broad experience working with small family farm operations and large corporate farm operations throughout the Midwest.
When not at the bank, Andy is working on his family farm near Fairfield. Andy and his wife Meagan are busy raising their four children on their Angus cattle farm. The family sells registered Angus bulls as well as commercial feeders. In addition to cattle, the family has a Pastured Poultry operation in Washington County. The operation has 20,000 laying hens that roam 50 acres of pasture daily and at peak production produce 19,000 eggs per day. The eggs are contracted with Egg Innovations and will more than likely end up on a Whole Foods or Kroger shelf.
“Farming isn’t just an occupation, it’s a way of life. My passion lies with those who believe that a legacy means more than money, it’s teaching our children to take care of what mother nature has blessed us with.”
Ryan Bratcher, SVP and Manager, Leitchfield
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Ryan grew up in Clarkson, KY on his family’s cattle farm. Working along-side his father and grandfather taught him the value of hard work and the importance of the American Farmer at an early age.
In 2000, Ryan graduated with degrees in both Finance and Management from the University of Kentucky. He is now a Senior Vice President and Branch Manager with Wilson & Muir Bank at Leitchfield’s Main Office where he has been since 2002. He specializes in both commercial and residential lending.
Ryan is very involved in the Grayson County Community. He currently serves on the boards of the Owensboro Twin Lakes Medical Center, Grayson County Industrial DevelopmentCorporation, Grayson County Chamber of Commerce, Grayson County Tourism Commission and is Chairman of the Leitchfield Tourism Commission.
When he is not at Wilson & Muir Bank or attending a community meeting, you can usually find Ryan at one of his high school children’s ballgames or other extracurricular activities with his wife Merri Beth (Allen) Bratcher. But he is never too far from the family farm. Although most of the farm is now leased for crops, in 2020 Ryan and his father helped his 17-year-old son start his own feeder calf lot on the family farm. Ryan, and his dad, are very proud to see the farming tradition carry on to the next generation.
Billy Johnston, Loan Officer, Leitchfield
Located in Grayson County, Billy is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Since then, Billy has spent the last 20 years in the banking and finance industry with the last 15 years spent working as a Loan Officer at our Leitchfield Office in Grayson County. Billy has a wide range of lending experience including commercial lending to area farmers.
Billy grew up helping his parents on their cattle and tobacco farm. Being from a large family which includes four siblings he learned the importance of doing his part to help his family. One of his fondest memories is getting to skip school to attend the fall or spring cattle sale or the annual tobacco sale. His dad felt it was important for him and his siblings to get to see the results of their hard work when the finished product was sold. According to Billy, “We never got rich from farming, but always had what we needed, and the lessons learned from helping out on the farm will never be forgotten”.
When not working at the bank, Billy can be found spending time with his wife, Jerri and their four children (Gillian, Will, Abbi, and Charli) or bird hunting. His children keep him busy transporting them to practices, games, and other school activities. Today, his farming involvement is limited to occasionally helping his brother with his farming operation, but he still feels a special connection to farmers and has great respect for their unending work ethic.
Darin Logsdon, VP and Manager, Vine Grove
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Located at our Vine Grove office, Darin Logsdon earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from McKendree College. Darin is a Vice President with WMB and has spent the last 25 years in our Vine Grove Office. Darin does a wide range of lending, including agricultural loans for machinery, land, lines of credit, and livestock purchases for small part-time farmers and large farm operations.
Darin is married to Cheryl Pearman Logsdon and they have three boys. Darin spent many summers with his grandfather on 600+ acres where they had cattle, crops, and hay. While he was young and didn’t get to learn the details of how to run a farm, he did learn the importance of farming and the community as a whole. From 2003 through 2010, Darin and his step- father operated a 75 head beef cattle operation on their farm in Vine grove.
“In small rural communities, farms are the largest forms of commerce and mean so much to the area. Having been blessed with a great agricultural customer base, I have learned the importance of the leadership and mentorship the farmers give in our community.”
Jenean Lucas, VP and Branch Manager, Big Clifty
Located at our Big Clifty Office, Jenean Lucas is a graduate of KBA Banking School and has over 32 years of banking experience. Jenean has been a strong lender in the Hardin and Grayson County Markets for the past 19 years. If you are buying a farm, a house, tractor, or truck, she can make the financing happen and makes the process easy. Helping the Local Farmers has been Jenean’s commitment for many years.
Learning the ropes of crop production at an early age, Jenean and her brother harvested pickles for extra income. Jenean grew up surrounded by her Papaw’s farm where tobacco was grown, and hogs were raised. She watched her Papaw work the farm that had been in the family for over 100+ years. As time passed and her Papaw got older, the farm was not used anymore because of his age. In 2015, Jenean’s son, Forrest brought the farm back to life. The barns were fixed, fences were repaired, and cattle were added. The farm now has 40 black angus cows.
When the workday is done, Jenean is doing what she loves best and that is being with her family. She has one son, Forrest, and a daughter-in-law Rachel. Jenean is very excited about her first grandchild that will arrive in October 2021. Or in farmer’s terms…HAVING A FALL CALF!
Helpful Links
- Latest Future Prices and Ag Commodity Headlines
- Bardstown, KY Weather Forecast and Conditions
- Leitchfield, KY Weather Forecast and Conditions
- Elizabethtown, KY Weather and Forecast Conditions
- Louisville, KY Weather and Forecast Conditions
- Farmers' Almanac
- Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy : Loan Programs
- Farm Loan Programs
- WMB Farmers Financial Statement
- Nelson Co Extension Office
- Grayson Co Extension Office
- Hardin Co Extension Office
- Jefferson Co Extension Office