COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT dated April 25, 2003, is made and executed between ART’S-WAY MANUFACTURING CO., INC. (“Grantor”) and WEST DES MOINES STATE BANK (“Lender”).

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.  For valuable consideration, Grantor grants to Lender a security interest in the Collateral to secure the Indebtedness and agrees that Lender shall have the rights stated in this Agreement with respect to the Collateral, in addition to all other rights which Lender may have by law.

COLLATERAL DESCRIPTION.   The word “Collateral” as used in this Agreement means the following described property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whether now existing or hereafter arising, and wherever located, in which Grantor is giving to Lender a security interest for the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of all other obligations under the Note and this Agreement.

All Inventory, Chattel Paper, Accounts, Equipment and General Intangibles

In addition, the word “Collateral” also includes all the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whether nor existing or hereafter arising, and wherever located:

(A) All accessions, attachments, accessories, tools, parts, supplies, replacements of and additions to any of the collateral described herein, whether added now or later.

(B) All products and produce of any of the property described in this Collateral section.

(C) All accounts, general intangibles, instruments, rents, monies, payments, and all other rights, arising out of a sale, lease, or other disposition of any of the property described in this Collateral section,

(D) All proceeds (including insurance proceeds) from the sale, destruction, loss, or other disposition of any of the property described in this Collateral section, and sums due from a third party who has damaged or destroyed the Collateral or from that party’s insurer, whether due to judgment, settlement or other process.

(E) All records and data relating to any of the property described in this Collateral section, whether in the form of a writing, photograph, microfilm, microfiche, or electronic media, together with all of Grantor’s right, title, and interest in and to all computer software required to utilize, create, maintain, and process any such records or data on electronic media.

Despite any other provision of this Agreement, Lender is not granted, and will not have, a nonpurchase money security interest in household goods, to the extent such a security interest would be prohibited by applicable law.  In addition, if because of the type of any Property, Lender is required to give a notice of the right to cancel under Truth in Lending for the Indebtedness, then Lender will not have a security interest in such Collateral unless and until such a notice is given.

RIGHT OF SETOFF .  To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Grantor’s accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account).  This includes all accounts Grantor holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Grantor may open in the future.  However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law.  Grantor authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the indebtedness against any and all such accounts, and, at Lender’s option, to administratively freeze all such accounts to allow Lender to protect Lender’s charge and setoff rights provided in this paragraph.

GRANTOR’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE COLLATERAL .  With respect to the Collateral, Grantor represents and promises to Lender that:

Perfection of Security Interest .  Grantor agrees to execute financing statements and to take whatever other actions are requested by Lender to perfect and continue Lender’s security interest in the Collateral.  Upon request of Lender, Grantor will deliver to Lender any and all of the documents evidencing or constituting the Collateral, and Grantor will note Lender’s interest upon any and all chattel paper if not delivered to Lender for possession by Lender.   This is a continuing Security Agreement and will continue in effect even though all or any part of the Indebtedness is paid in full and even though for a period of time Grantor may not be indebted to Lender.

Notices to Lender .  Grantor will promptly notify Lender in writing at Lender’s address shown above (or such other addresses as Lender may designate from time to time) prior to any (1) change in Grantor’s name; (2) change in Grantor’s assumed business name(s); (3) change in the management of the Corporation Grantor; (4) change in the authorized signer(s); (5) change in Grantor’s principal office address; (6) change in Grantor’s state of organization; (7) conversion of Grantor to a new or afferent type of business entity; or (8) change in any other aspect of Grantor that directly or indirectly relates to any agreements between Grantor and Lender.  No change in Grantor’s name or state of organization will take effect until after Lender has received notice.

No Violation .  The execution and delivery of this Agreement will not violate any law or agreement governing Grantor or to which Grantor is a party, and its certificate or articles of incorporation and bylaws do not prohibit any term or condition of this Agreement.

Enforceability of Collateral .  To the extent the Collateral consists of accounts, chattel paper, or general intangibles, as defined by the Uniform Commercial Code, the Collateral is enforceable in accordance with its terms, is genuine, and fully complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning form, content and manner of preparation and execution, and all persons appearing to be obligated on the Collateral have authority and capacity to contract and are in fact obligated as they appear to be on the Collateral.  At the time any Account becomes subject to a security interest in favor of Lender, the Account shall be a good and valid account representing an undisputed, bona fide indebtedness incurred by the account debtor, for merchandise held subject to delivery instructions or previously shipped or delivered pursuant to a contract of sale, or for services previously performed by Grantor with or for the account debtor.  So long as this Agreement remains in effect, Grantor shall not, without Lender’s prior written consent, compromise, settle, adjust, or extend payment under or with regard to any such Accounts.  There shall be no setoffs or counterclaims against any of the Collateral, and no agreement shall have been made under which any deductions or discounts may be claimed concerning the Collateral except those disclosed to Lender in writing.

Location of the Collateral .  Except in the ordinary course of Grantor’s business, Grantor agrees to keep the Collateral (or to the extent the Collateral consists of intangible property such as accounts or general intangibles, the records concerning the Collateral) at Grantor’s address shown above or at such other locations as are acceptable to Lender.  Upon Lender’s request, Grantor will deliver to Lender in form satisfactory to Lender a schedule of real properties and Collateral locations relating to Grantor’s operations, including without limitation the following:  (1) all real property Grantor owns or is purchasing; (2) all real property Grantor is renting or leasing; (3) all storage facilities Grantor owns, rents, leases, or uses; and (4) all other properties where Collateral is or may be located.

Removal of the Collateral .  Except in the ordinary course of Grantor’s business, including the sales of inventory, Grantor shall not remove the Collateral from its existing location without Lender’s prior written consent.  To the extent that the Collateral consists of vehicles, or other titled property, Grantor shall not take or permit any action which would require application for certificates of title for the vehicles outside the State of Iowa, without Lender’s prior written consent.  Grantor shall, whenever requested, advise Lender of the exact location of the Collateral.

Transactions Involving Collateral .  Except for inventory sold or accounts collected in the ordinary course of Grantor’s business, or as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, Grantor shall not sell, offer to sell, or otherwise transfer or dispose of the Collateral.  While Grantor is not in default under this Agreement, Grantor may sell inventory, but only in the ordinary course of its business and only to buyers who qualify as a buyer in the ordinary course of business.  A sale in the ordinary course of Grantor’s business does not include a transfer in partial or total satisfaction of a debt or any bulk sale.  Grantor shall not pledge, mortgage, encumber or otherwise permit the Collateral to be subject to any lien, security interest, encumbrance, or charge, other than the security interest provided for in this Agreement, without the prior written consent of Lender.  This includes security interests even if junior in right to the security interests granted under this Agreement.  Unless waived by Lender, all proceeds from any disposition of the Collateral (for whatever reason) shall be held in trust for Lender and shall not be commingled with any other funds; provided however, this requirement shall not constitute consent by Lender to any sale or other disposition.  Upon receipt, Grantor shall immediately deliver any such proceeds to Lender.

Title .  Grantor represents and warrants to Lender that Grantor holds good and marketable title to the Collateral, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances except for the lien of this Agreement.  The liens granted hereby are not the type of lien referred to in Chapter 575 of the Iowa Code Supplement, as now enacted or hereafter modified, amended or replaced.  Grantor, for itself and all persons claiming by, through or under Grantor, agrees that it claims no lien or right to a lien of the type contemplated by Chapter 575 or any other chapter of the Code of Iowa and further waives all notices and rights pursuant to said law with respect to the liens hereby granted, and represents and warrants that it is the sole party entitled to do so and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Lender from any loss, damage, and costs, including reasonable attorney fees, threatened or suffered by Lender arising either directly or indirectly as a result of any claim of the applicability of said law to the liens hereby granted.  No financing statement covering any of the Collateral is on file in any public office other than those which reflect the security interest created by this Agreement or to which Lender has specifically consented.  Grantor shall defend Lender’s rights in the Collateral against the claims and demands of all other persons.

Repairs and Maintenance .  Grantor agrees to keep and maintain, and to cause others to keep and maintain, the Collateral in good order, repair and condition at all times while this Agreement remains in effect.  Grantor further agrees to pay when due all claims for work done on, or services rendered or material furnished in connection with the Collateral so that no lien or encumbrance may ever attach to or be filed against the Collateral.

Inspection of Collateral .  Lender and Lender’s designated representatives and agents shall have the right at all reasonable times to examine and inspect the Collateral wherever located.

Taxes, Assessments and Liens .  Grantor will pay when due all taxes, assessments and liens upon the Collateral, its use or operation, upon this Agreement upon any promissory note or notes evidencing the Indebtedness, or upon any of the other Related Documents.  Grantor may withhold any such payment or may elect to contest any lien if Grantor is in good faith conducting an appropriate proceeding to contest the obligation to pay and so long as Lender’s interest in the Collateral is not jeopardized in Lender’s sole opinion.  If the Collateral is subjected to a lien which is not discharged within fifteen (15) days, Grantor shall deposit with Lender cash, a sufficient corporate surety bond or other security satisfactory to Lender in an amount adequate to provide for the discharge of the lien plus any interest, costs, attorneys’ fees or other charges that could accrue as a result of foreclosure or sale of the Collateral.  In any contest Grantor shall defend itself and Lender and shall satisfy any final adverse judgment before enforcement against the Collateral.  Grantor shall name Lender as an additional obligee under any surety bond furnished in the contest proceedings.  Grantor further agrees to furnish Lender with evidence that such taxes, assessments, and governmental and other charges have been paid in full and in a timely manner.  Grantor may withhold any such payment or may elect to contest any lien if Grantor is in good faith conducting an appropriate proceeding to contest the obligation to pay and so long as Lender’s interest in the Collateral is not jeopardized.

Compliance with Governmental Requirements .  Grantor shall comply promptly with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of all governmental authorities, now or hereafter in effect, applicable to the ownership, production, disposition, or use of the Collateral, including all laws or regulations relating to the undue erosion of highly-erodible land or relating to the conversion of wetlands for the production of an agricultural product or commodity.  Grantor may contest in good faith any such law, ordinance or regulation and withhold compliance during any proceeding, including appropriate appeals, so long as Lender’s interest in the Collateral, in Lender’s opinion, is not jeopardized.

Hazardous Substances .  Grantor represents and warrants that the Collateral never has been, and never will be so long as this Agreement remains a lien on the Collateral, used in violation of any Environmental Laws or for the generation, manufacture, storage, transportation, treatment, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance.  The representations and warranties contained herein are based on Grantor’s due diligence in investigating the Collateral for Hazardous Substances.  Grantor hereby (1) releases and waives any future claims against Lender for indemnity or contribution in the event Grantor becomes liable for cleanup or other costs under any Environmental Laws, and (2) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Lender against any and all claims and losses resulting from a breach of this provision of this Agreement.  This obligation to indemnify shall survive the payment of the Indebtedness and the satisfaction of this Agreement.

Maintenance of Casualty Insurance .  Grantor shall procure and maintain all risks insurance, including without limitation fire, theft and liability coverage together with such other insurance as Lender may require with respect to the Collateral, in form, amounts, coverages and basis reasonably acceptable to Lender and issued by a company or companies reasonably acceptable to Lender.  Grantor, upon request of Lender, will deliver to Lender from time to time the policies or certificates of insurance in form satisfactory to Lender, including stipulations that coverages will not be cancelled or diminished without at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Lender and not including any disclaimer of the insurer’s liability for failure to give such a notice.  Each insurance policy also shall include an endorsement providing that coverage in favor of Lender will not be impaired in any way by any act, omission or default of Grantor or any other person.  In connection with all policies covering assets in which Lender holds or is offered a security interest, Grantor will provide Lender with such loss payable or other endorsements as Lender may require.  If Grantor at any time fails to obtain or maintain any insurance as required under this Agreement, Lender may (but shall not be obligated to) obtain such insurance as Lender deems appropriate, including if Lender so chooses “single interest insurance,” which will cover only Lender’s interest in the Collateral.

Application of Insurance Proceeds .  Grantor shall promptly notify Lender of any loss or damage to the Collateral.  Lender may make proof of loss if Grantor fails to do so within fifteen (15) days of the casualty.  All proceeds of any insurance on the Collateral, including accrued proceeds thereon, shall be held by Lender as part of the Collateral.  If Lender consents to repair or replacement of the damaged or destroyed Collateral, Lender shall, upon satisfactory proof of expenditure, pay or reimburse Grantor from the proceeds for the reasonable cost of repair or restoration.  If Lender does not consent to repair or replacement of the Collateral, Lender shall retain a sufficient amount of the proceeds to pay all of the indebtedness, and shall pay the balance to Grantor.  Any proceeds which have not been disbursed within six (6) months after their receipt and which Grantor has not committed to the repair or restoration of the Collateral shall be used to prepay the Indebtedness.

Insurance Reserves .  Lender may require Grantor to maintain with Lender reserves for payment of insurance premiums, which reserves shall be created by monthly payments from G