Recognizing Outstanding Service To Small, Limited Resource and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers

To underscore the crop insurance industry's commitment of reaching out in credible and successful ways to limited resource farmers, NCIS has initiated the National Crop Insurance Services Outstanding Service Award. This award is presented at the crop insurance industry annual meeting to an individual who has demonstrated a genuine commitment of outstanding service and outreach to small, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers. This new service award was presented to Stuart Surles, Stuart Surles Insurance, Angier, North Carolina, at the 2001 Crop Insurance Industry Annual Meeting, Naples, Florida, February 14, 2001. Presenting the award from NCIS was Bob Parkerson, President, and Ron Brichler, Chairman of the Board.

Farmers across North Carolina will attest that if any agent understands their total agricultural insurance needs it is Stuart Surles. He was born in 1956 in Angier, North Carolina, on a family farm that raised tobacco, cotton, corn, soybeans, and livestock. It is because of this background that Stuart has dedicated his life to serving the needs of the agricultural community.

Stuart's philosophy of hard work and dedication carried over into his formal education. He financed his education by raising five acres of tobacco while attending college. His determination was rewarded when he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1977 from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina.

Stuart began his professional agricultural insurance career twenty-four years ago with Farm Credit and several commercial banks. His emphasis was in the areas of agricultural lending and the promotion of crop insurance to farmers. These opportunities afforded Stuart valuable insight into the financial challenges that affect the livelihood of the farmer.

In 1987 he founded Stuart Surles Insurance. Stuart concentrated his efforts on the development of his agricultural insurance business. As the owner and President of a full service insurance agency, Stuart offers a broad spectrum of insurance services including crop, life, health, and commercial coverage to farmers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. He excels in providing complete crop insurance coverage and services to farmers.

By adhering to his customer focused philosophy, Stuart has developed a loyal client base. He attributes his success to the farmers he serves and possesses an in-depth knowledge of the challenges farmers face today. He has a wealth of experience in the multifaceted agricultural industry. His reputation for hands on, one-on-one service is a valuable asset to farmers. Stuart understands the risk factors involved in farming and assists farmers in choosing the best services to meet their individual needs.

The one distinguishing characteristic that defines Stuart Surles, is he values all of his farmers equally, from the limited resource farmers to those with large farming operations. To those he serves, Stuart is more than a trusted agent and advisor, he is their colleague. Stuart personally owns a farm and is involved in a farming operation.

Stuart resides in the same area where grew up. His committed to the community and believes in giving back to the people he serves. He is a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Angier. Governor James B. Hunt of North Carolina appointed Stuart to serve on the local Harnett County Social Services Board. He was the charter President of the Angier Rotary Club in 1993-1994. Stuart's greatest accomplishments, however, are his two daughters, Morgan, 13 and Brook, 11.