Crawford County, Ohio, 1950.  John F. Moneysmith joined the Production Credit Association as a fieldman.  Mentored by his supervisor, “Remember John, nobody ever borrowed too much money”.  “Someone over-loaned them”.  How does the farmer know how much financing is needed?  How much does the lender think the farmer really needs, and can pay back? 

This advice resonated promptly.  A local farmer with holdings of over two thousand acres, and more than 1000 head of stock, returned from a cattle purchase in the western portion of the United States to find IRS seizure notices!  Upon alarming John with his circumstances, John discovered that not only did this man have the typical “shoebox of records”, excepting that he could sign his name, he was in today’s terms, illiterate, despite his success and numerous assets.  John being John, volunteered to help.  After days of sorting receipts, payments, etc., the farmers debt to the IRS was $177!  Word got out that John had “saved the farm” and soon over two dozen other farmers solicited his assistance.

Here comes the ‘80's, and “technology”.  Years preceding, John saw computers as a great asset to the agriculture industry.  How do you go from disorganized paper records to the structured environment of computer programs?  Other individuals and farming associated organizations felt the same.  John led a group of programmers to develop TABS - The Agricultural Business System, with the following concepts being essential.  1.  It should be designed for the business aspect of farming.  2.  Be a complete double-entry system, with single user input.  3.  Provide data for both taxes and management analysis.  4.  Meet the guidelines of the Farm Financial Standards Council.  5.  Ongoing training and support for transition to, and use of the TABS program.

John Moneysmith’s vision and committed service to the agriculture industry has left a legacy which will be an invaluable asset for years to come,

Thank you John!