2026 Board of Directors Elections

Age: 50

Farming Operation

Franklin’s operations are Fogleman Farms and St. Clair Planting Company which are sixth-generation family farming operations rooted in Marion, Arkansas on land his family has farmed since 1849. The operation produces corn, rice and soybeans with a strong commitment to precision irrigation and technology-driven practices. They are deeply invested in the farmland of Northeast Arkansas — committed to its development, improvement and preservation for generations to come. The operation relies on data-driven decisions to manage inputs, maximize efficiency and navigate the challenges of modern agriculture. Farm Credit has been their trusted financial partner for over 25 years. Franklin began farming alongside his grandfather, and today farms with his father and two uncles — a living legacy he is proud to carry forward. Franklin’s son, Cross, is already underway, and his cousin, Michael, will soon return to the farm after honorably completing his service in the United States Navy.

Education

University of Arkansas, B.S. in Business Administration and Finance

Board Experience

• Farm Credit Mid-America Board of Directors
  • Director, 2023 to present
  • Human Resources Committee, Vice Chair, 2025 to present
  • Human Resources Committee, Member, 2023 to present
• Farm Credit Midsouth Board of Directors
  • Director, 2018-2023
  • Audit Committee, Member
• Arkansas Ag Council Board of Directors
• Arkansas State University Mid-South Foundation, Vice Chair (former Chair, 12 years)
• Crittenden Regional Hospital Foundation, Chairman
• FarmVoice, Inc., Director

Community and Industry Involvement

• Arkansas Business 40 under 40 honoree
• The Crossings Church, Marion, AR
• The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP), Texas A&M University, Graduate

Biographical Information

I returned to Fogleman Farms in 1998 to help my family — and to continue a legacy rooted in the same Arkansas ground since 1849. Farm Credit has been a trusted partner in our operation for more than 25 years, helping us navigate both growth and hardship. That relationship shaped my belief in this cooperative and ultimately led me to board service.

I farm alongside my father and two uncles. My daughter, Lillian Burns, serves as our farm accounts payable and payroll clerk while working as a registered nurse. My son, Cross, studies Finance at the University of Arkansas while running his own small operation — already carrying the legacy forward. My wife, Kelly, a nurse coordinator for the Marion School District, is the steady foundation our family is built on.

Beyond the farm, I hold a Finance degree from the University of Arkansas and completed the Executive Program for Agricultural Producers at Texas A&M. I have met directly with Congressmen on behalf of farmers regarding credit access and farm bill priorities. As an agricultural land broker, I specialize in helping farm families navigate difficult moments — disputes, shifting goals and generational transitions — serving both farm families and institutional investors alike.

I served through the merger of Farm Credit Midsouth with Farm Credit Mid-America and through the significant growth and change that followed. At every opportunity — through my church, my community, Northeast Arkansas and rural America — I have worked to give back more than I have received.

Why do you want to serve on the Farm Credit Mid-America Board?

Farm Credit has been a part of our family story for more than 25 years. I want to continue giving back to an institution that has given so much to our operation and to farmers across all five states we serve. My focus is straightforward: keep Farm Credit Mid-America financially strong and run it efficiently. We have grown significantly, and protecting our capital base ensures we can keep saying yes to farmers when they need us most. I also believe in using technology to run leaner and return more to members through patronage. I have served through a merger and through hard decisions that required steady leadership. That experience matters. I bring the perspective of a working farmer, a land broker, and a director with a finance background — all aimed at making this cooperative stronger for every member across Arkansas/Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.