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​“We are at a crossroads with the average age of farmers today, so the focus on young, beginning and small farmers is incredibly important,” Thompson said. “That’s what I appreciate about Farm Credit - they provide assistance to those who are just starting out or are the first person in their family to enter into agriculture.” ​

For more than 100 years, Farm Credit has supported farmers in good times and in bad. We understand the challenges our customers face because agriculture is what we do and who we are. In this uncertain ag economy, Farm Credit is singularly focused on working, day-in and day-out, to achieve the best possible outcome for our customer-owners. 

Rural broadband means access to telehealth, which critical for rural residents, who often live far from hospitals or clinics and lack access to locally-based specialists. Patients’ ability to communicate with healthcare professionals from home and local doctors’ ability to consult with off-site specialists have the potential to increase both the quality of life for rural residents and the quality of healthcare they receive. These outcomes would help reduce overall costs in thousands of rural communities across the country.

If your local grocery store shelved bananas next to bratwursts, would you assume that bananas were made from pork? How about if they sold pasta sauce next to salad dressing; would you start slathering marinara on your spinach? However absurd these assumptions may seem, participants in the Young Dairy Leadership Institute (YDLI) find the need for consumer education to be high. YDLI educates consumers about the dairy industry while also providing professional development opportunities for young dairy leaders.

Rural America is the backbone of our country. We depend on the food, fiber and fuel produced in rural communities every day. And the success of rural America, home to these vital economic sectors, depends upon quality infrastructure. 

As a 5th generation farm kid, Max Mielke wore Carhartts, not cufflinks. He grew up swathing and bailing hay, driving combines and semi-trucks, and herding cattle on horseback in places that four wheelers just won’t go. When he headed off to college, Max knew that he wanted to prepare for a career in agriculture. He had the knowledge of farming and ranching, but he lacked other skills he would need in an off-the-farm job. That’s when Max discovered Agriculture Future of America (AFA). 

When you think about the “city that never sleeps,” agriculture is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. You may be surprised to learn that New York City is home to more than 50 farmers markets selling fresh food grown by more than 250 local producers. Farm Credit is helping these farm businesses succeed through a new partnership with local nonprofit GrowNYC.

Responding to teachers and the agricultural community, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated a task force on agricultural literacy in 1981. The group recommended that the USDA coordinate national agriculture literacy by sponsoring regional meetings during which the states would create their own programs, they later became known as Ag in the Classroom (AITC).  

While the role of women in agriculture is changing rapidly, some women continue to face challenges as they navigate careers in farming, ranching and agribusiness. American Agri-Women and its affiliate organizations (hereby referred to as Agri-Women) provide women the opportunity to make their voices heard in agriculture and learn valuable leadership skills in the company of their peers.

On the farm, if something needs doing, someone steps up and does it. Farm kids grow up feeding hogs as soon as they can walk and driving tractors long before they have state-issued driving permits. Women, historically, cook meals, care for the house and the kids and frequently manage finances, all while helping with those never-ending farm chores. Today, many women are the principal operator of their farm, responsible for all of the daily management decisions. Everyone steps up where they can. This same mentality inspired the creation of American Agri-Women, a coalition of women united for agriculture.