Sayre and Nancy Fulkerson own Fulkerson Winery in Dundee, N.Y. Their winery business also includes 300 acres and a thriving juice line for home winemakers. Farm Credit loan officer Rodger Francis and office assistant Debbie McCumber provide the Fulkersons with credit to operate their business. Sayre shared their experience with Financial Partner magazine:

“We took over the farm in 1979 and began working with Rodger in 1981. We have financed four buildings with Farm Credit since then. A few years ago, Rodger financed a sand filter septic system, through a reduced rate environmental loan, in anticipation for our winery expansion.

We needed to build a new facility to change the face of our business and promote an image. Rodger worked more closely with us on our 2005 expansion. Interestingly, even though the final expansion cost was 150 percent over the original top estimate, Rodger stayed with us through the project.

Our son Steven may be a part of the business someday. We wanted a successful business for the long term. We felt that a new winery facility would increase traffic –and it has.”