Farm Credit Sponsored Events & Programs

The Executive Program for Ag Producers (TEPAP)

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 
January 3-9, 2027 | San Antonio, TX

This annual program provides training on financial management, succession planning and other business skills for farmers and ranchers age 35 or younger. 

Soybean Leadership Academy

American Soybean Association
January 13-15, 2027 | Indianapolis, IN

Farm Credit sponsors ASA’s Soybean Leadership Academy, their conference for up-and-coming leaders in the organization. Our sponsorship level earns us a seat on the organization’s Industry Council, allowing opportunities to build deeper relationships with their board and staff. 

Ag Innovation Challenge

American Farm Bureau Federation
January 8-13, 2027 | Charlotte, NC

Farm Credit sponsors and helps lead the Ag Innovation Challenge, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching food and agriculture businesses. The winner of the competition is announced each year at AFBF’s national convention. Farm Credit also sponsors AFBF’s Partners in Advocacy Leadership program, the Young Farmers and Ranchers program, works with AFBF on farm stress management initiatives, and sponsors AFBF’s Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence. 

Dairy Forum

International Dairy Foods Association
January 24-27, 2027 | Orlando, FL

Presented by the International Dairy Foods Association, Dairy Forum convenes leaders from across the dairy supply chain to advance their knowledge, and discover new perspectives on issues that are important to the dairy foods industry. Farm Credit supports this gathering.

Winter Policy Conference

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
February 1-3, 2027 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit is a NASDA industry partner, allowing us to engage with state ag secretaries/commissioners/directors at a variety of events. As part of this event, Farm Credit sponsors students from the NASDA Next Gen program to attend the conference. Farm Credit also supports the NASDA Foundation’s programming.

Young Dairy Leaders Institute

Holstein Foundation
February TBD, 2027 | TBD

This event is an annual national dairy leadership program open to producers ages 22-45. It takes place in three phases over 12 months and focuses heavily on training participants to engage with consumers about the benefits of dairy and modern livestock production. 

Wheat 101

National Wheat Foundation
February 9, 2027 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit participates in the National Wheat Foundation’s, “Wheat 101,” an educational event showcasing the many components of the wheat value chain and highlighting wheat’s significance to the economy to members of Congress and their staff. 

CattleConference

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 
February 2-4, 2027 | Nashville, TN

Farm Credit is a partner of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a producer-directed organization focused on industry advocacy, promotion, education and research. One facet of Farm Credit’s engagement is sponsorship of NCBA’s annual convention, CattleCon. As a new engagement this year, Farm Credit is also sponsoring the “Boots to Business” Career Fair which takes place during CattleCon.

Annual Meeting

National Cotton Council
February 7-10, 2027 | Fort Worth, TX

Farm Credit is a Cotton Foundation industry partner, allowing us to foster relationships with National Cotton Council board members and staff. We also sponsor NCC’s Beltwide Cotton Conference for cotton researchers, and the organization’s annual meeting. 

Potato Industry Leadership Institute

Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF)
February TBD, 2027 | TBD and Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors the National Potato Council’s (NPC) Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation, the organization responsible for NPC’s Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute provides tools to help young growers and industry members develop as leaders and motivate them to commit their time and energy to the betterment of the U.S. potato industry. The Leadership Institute is an eight-day program that provides an overview of the U.S. potato industry, the challenges and issues beyond the production sector, and the roles of the industry’s state and national organizations in maintaining a positive business climate for potato growers. 

Legislative Fly-In

Forest Resources Association (FRA)
TBD, 2027 | Washington, DC

FRA represents producers throughout the entire wood supply chain. Farm Credit supports the organization’s annual Legislative Fly-In.

Commodity Classic

National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Association of Wheat Growers and Association of Equipment Manufacturers
March 3-5, 2027 | New Orleans, LA

Commodity Classic is presented annually by Farm Credit’s commodity partners National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Association of Wheat Growers as well as Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

Annual Convention

National Farmers Union
March 7-9, 2027 | San Antonio, TX

Farm Credit supports NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute, Annual Convention, National Youth Leadership Camp, and Women’s Conference. Additionally, Farm Credit has supported NFU’s farm stress management work. 

FUSION Conference

American Farm Bureau Federation
March 12-15, 2027 | New Orleans, LA

Farm Credit sponsors the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) annual leadership conference which surfaces growth and development of young Farm Bureau members and provides opportunities and experiences to strengthen their leadership skills. Farm Credit also sponsors American Farm Bureau Federation’s FUSION Reimagined Conference, which brings together participants from the Young Farmers & Ranchers, Women’s Leadership, and Promotion & Education programs. 

Ag and Food Policy Summit

Agri-Pulse
March TBD, 2027 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors the Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit. In addition to industry, this event involves members of Congress, congressional staff, and media and features discussions about current topics related to food and agriculture policy. The 2026 theme is: “Profit, Policy, and Possibility: Mapping the Future of Market Expansion for U.S. Agriculture.” 

National Dairy Challenge 

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge
March 31-April 2, 2027 | Lansing, MI

This program consists of one national and four regional events attended by college students with a strong interest in the dairy industry. They compete by creating a farm management plan for a dairy farm that includes every aspect of the business, from record keeping to nutrient management to personnel issues. Many Farm Credit associations across the country volunteer for these events and arrange for Farm Credit customers to be used as the model farms in their competitions.

National Conference and Farm Credit VIP Scholars Program

MANRRS (Formerly Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences)
April 1-4, 2027 | San Diego, CA

Farm Credit sponsors MANRRS’ annual conference for minority students interested in careers in agriculture, as well as programming for outstanding students who have expressed an interest in Farm Credit. Farm Credit VIP Scholars, selected by Farm Credit HR specialists, are celebrated at the conference, recognized on stage in front of over 2,000 peers, and each receive a $1,000 academic scholarship, $1,500 in travel compensation, and participate in the Farm Credit VIP track of the National MANRRS Conference. The VIP Scholars programming offers these students the opportunity to receive CliftonStrengths coaching, business etiquette training, and to hear from business leaders from the Farm Credit System.

Washington Watch Issues Forum

National Association of Farm Broadcasters
April 19-21, 2027 | Washington, D.C. 

Farm Credit will be represented at NAFB’s policy-focused Washington Watch Issues Forum. Farm Credit’s support for NAFB ensures we also participate in the organization’s fall Trade Talk event, where System institutions make spokespersons available to speak with ag broadcasters from across the country. 

National Agriculture Mediators Conference

National Agriculture Mediators
April TBD, 2027 | TBD

Congress initiated a state-certified mediation programs for farmers and ranchers in the United States over 30 years ago to help producers manage debt challenges, USDA adverse decisions, organic certification and more. Later the program was expanded to cover lease discussions, farm transitions and neighbor disputes. Farm Credit will be represented on a panel of lenders to discuss how Farm Credit provides creative solutions to ag finance issues. 

Annual Stakeholders Summit

Animal Agriculture Alliance
May 5-7, 2027 | Arlington, VA

Farm Credit sponsors Animal Agriculture Alliance’s annual stakeholders’ summit. This event brings together key stakeholders from restaurant, retail and foodservice companies, farms and ranches, government agencies, agribusinesses, and agriculture and food associations to engage in discussions about animal agriculture. 

Young Cattlemen’s Conference

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
June 3-10, 2027 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors NCBA’s Young Cattlemen’s Conference, an event fostering the next generation of beef industry leaders. We are also members of NCBA’s Allied Industry Council. 

Plenary and General Assembly 

Field to Market
June TBD, 2027 | TBD 

Farm Credit is a member of Field to Market, an alliance from across the agriculture value chain that offers farmer-friendly, science-driven and outcomes-based programs and tools members may use to deliver on their most ambitious sustainability goals. 

Young Cooperators Meeting

National Milk Producers Federation
June TBD, 2027 | Arlington, Virginia

Farm Credit sponsors NMPF’s National Young Cooperators program, which provides education, leadership and advocacy training for dairy producers ages 45 or younger. It is held in conjunction with the NMPF June board meeting and the NMPF annual meeting. 

Washington Leadership Conference (WLC)

National FFA
June TBD, 2027 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors a one-week Washington Leadership Conference, which provides FFA members a premier experience meeting with ag leaders in the Capital through a program designed to encourage changemaker perspectives and advocacy mindsets.

Model Farm Series Field Days

National Black Growers Council
June TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University.

National Conference

National Agriculture in the Classroom
June 28- July 1, 2027 | Oklahoma City, OK

National Ag in the Classroom aims to encourage non-ag teachers to integrate agriculture topics into their lesson plans. Farm Credit supports awards for teachers utilizing innovative techniques for educating students about agriculture, presented at the national conference. 

National Conference of Private Forest Landowners

Forest Landowners Association
June TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit is a partner of Forest Landowners Association, a national organization representing and supporting private forest landowners in the U.S.

Washington Leadership Conference (WLC)

National FFA
July TBD, 2027 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors a one-week Washington Leadership Conference, which provides FFA members a premier experience meeting with ag leaders in the Capital through a program designed to encourage changemaker perspectives and advocacy mindsets.

Native Youth in Agriculture Summit

University of Arkansas School of Law Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
July TBD, 2027 | Fayetteville, Arkansas

Farm Credit supports the University of Arkansas Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative’s annual leadership summit for Native youth ages 18-23. The summit focuses on business planning, risk management, marketing and leadership development. 

Summer Learning Series

American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers 
July TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit supports the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Summer Learning Series, which is an in-person education experience featuring expert-led designation courses, exam prep study halls, timely seminars, exciting networking events, and agricultural tours.

Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference

National Association of County Agricultural Agents 
July TBD, 2027 | TBD

The National Association of County Agricultural Agents is a professional organization for county extension agents. Our sponsorship supports the conference’s agricultural tours and the Search for Excellence in Young, Beginning, Small Farmers/Ranchers Awards, which recognize extension agents for outstanding programming in this area. Farm Credit was instrumental in creating this award and has funded it for many years.

On Deck

National Corn Growers Association
July TBD, 2027 | Washington, DC

This is the inaugural year of a leadership development program through the National Corn Growers Association in partnership with Farm Credit: “On Deck – Building NCGA’s Roster of Champions.” Five producers from across the country convene in Washington, DC to experience Corn Congress, connect with former NCGA Board members serving as mentors, review financial literacy skills with Farm Credit of the Virginia’s Loan Officer, Elsa Southard, and meet with industry experts on topics in which they had expressed interest.

Model Farm Series Field Days

National Black Growers Council
July TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University.

This edition is hosted by Ronald Friday and the crop focus is corn and soybeans. 

National 4-H Forestry Invitational

National 4-H
July TBD, 2027 | TBD

This is the annual national 4-H competition for forestry judging, sponsored by Farm Credit. The event draws 4-H members from across the country and teaches students forestry and timber appraisal and evaluation skills. 

New Century Farmer Conference

National FFA
July 17-21, 2026 | Kansas City, KS

Farm Credit sponsors FFA’s New Century Farmer Conference, which gathers FFA alums who are actively engaged in farming. We also sponsor FFA’s National Convention and an FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) grant in each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Model Farm Series Field Days

National Black Growers Council
August TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University.

Cotton Foundation and American Cotton Producers Summer Meeting

National Cotton Council
August TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit is a Cotton Foundation industry partner, allowing us to foster relationships with National Cotton Council board members and staff. Farm Credit also sponsors NCC’s annual meeting as well as their American Cotton Producers (ACP) meetings, which bring together cotton producer leaders elected by peers from across the country. 

Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting

Federation of Southern Cooperatives
August TBD, 2027 | Birmingham & Epes, AL

Farm Credit supports the Federation of Southern Cooperatives’ work to provide education and services to black farmers and farmer-owned cooperatives in the Southeastern United States.

USApple Outlook 

USApple
August TBD, 2027 | TBD

This conference gathers apple industry leaders in every area of the apple industry including production, packing, processing, sales, marketing, and new product development to discuss critical issues. Farm Credit is an industry partner of USApple. 

Model Farm Series Field Days

National Black Growers Council
September TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University.

Policy Institute

Agriculture Future of America
September XX, 2027 | Washington, D.C. 

Farm Credit’s funding supports AFA’s Leaders Conference, a career skills workshop and networking event in Kansas City each year, and AFA’s Policy Institute, a DC-based event that teaches students agriculture advocacy skills. 

Annual Meeting

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
September TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit is a NASDA industry partner, allowing us to engage with state ag secretaries/commissioners/directors at a variety of events. Farm Credit also sponsors NASDA’s Next Generation college students and enables them to attend NASDA’s Annual Meeting. 

National Farmers Union Legislative Fly-In 

National Farmers Union (NFU)
September TBD, 2027 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit is a longtime partner of NFU and supports their annual Legislative Fly-In. Farm Credit also supports NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute and other national events.  

Dinner Under the Stars

Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA)
September TBD, 2027 | Washington, DC

The Friends of the National Arboretum hosts an annual Dinner Under the Stars to build awareness and support of their youth programs and public engagement. The National Arboretum is a program under USDA’s Agricultural Research Service agency. 

National Farm Viability Conference

Agricultural Viability Alliance
September TBD, 2027 | TBD

The Agricultural Viability Alliance hosts a biennial conference, which gathers agricultural and business technical assistance professionals, industry experts and policy makers working in the broad area of farm viability, to share programs, initiatives, success stories, challenges and ideas for improvements, and to network with other professionals. Farm Credit is a sponsor of the conference. 

Summit

Women in Agribusiness
September TBD, 2027 | TBD

A new Farm Credit partnership, the Women in Agribusiness Summit.convenes professional women from across the agribusiness and food sectors.The gathering has grown over the past decade from 200 to over 1000 attendees across the ag value chain.

Fall Leadership Academy

Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
September TBD, 2027 | TBD

MANRRS Regional Clusters serve as the organization’s Fall premiere recruitment event. The goals are to encourage diversity, pluralism and promote the development of those leadership skills to prepare their members for a thriving future in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. The Clusters will feature an opportunity fair, student  competitions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Cultivating Change Summit

Cultivating Change Foundation
October TBD, 2027 | TBD

The Cultivating Change Summit brings together LGBTQ+ agriculturists who are working toward an inclusive industry environment. Farm Credit is a sponsor of the event and supports the Cultivating Change Foundation.

Homesteaders of America Conference

Homesteaders of America
October TBD, 2027 | Front Royal, VA

Homesteaders is an educational organization to offer support and resources for small scale farming families. Their rapidly growing audience encompasses young, beginning, and small farmers. Farm Credit sponsors their annual conference.

FIELD School

New Entry for Sustainable Farming
October TBD, 2027 | Lancaster, PA

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project trains and supports new farmers, encourages resilient farming practices, and facilitates access to local food and farm products. Farm Credit sponsors their national FIELD School, which brings together over 45-60 organizations for peer-to-peer sharing that informs beginning farmer trainers about how to run successful incubator and apprenticeship training programs. Farm Credit facilitates a train-the-trainer program at this event.

National Convention

National FFA
October 27-30, 2027 | Indianapolis, IN

Farm Credit sponsors the FFA’s National Convention. To further support FFA students, Farm Credit sponsors a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) grant for outstanding FFA students engaged in FFA’s experiential learning opportunities in each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Ag Open

Everybody Wins!
October TBD, 2027 | Washington, D.C.

Everybody Wins! helps children thrive by building connections through reading, and provides shared reading services to students in 14 elementary schools and communities across the DC metro area. Farm Credit is a sponsor of the Everybody Wins DC (EWDC) 25th Annual Ag Open Golf Tournament, drawing participants from leading national food and agricultural organizations.

Direct Agricultural Marketing Summit / Farm Credit Innovation Award

October TBD, 2027 | TBD

This conference brings together extension educators, beginning farmer organizations, farmers market managers, rural development specialists, and local/federal government employees to focus on issues related to direct marketing and value-added agriculture. Farm Credit is a co-presenter of the event. Farm Credit sponsor MarketMaker’s Farm Credit Innovation Awards, which are presented during the conference. MarketMaker is a national network that connects farmers and fishermen with food retailers, processors, caterers, chefs, consumers and more.

Young Cooperators Leadership and Development Program

National Milk Producers Federation
October TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit sponsors the National Milk Producers Federation Board of Directors Meeting and Young Cooperator Program. The Young Cooperator program offers leadership development for milk producers under the age of 40.

Farmer Veteran Conference

Farmer Veteran Coalition
October TBD, 2027 | TBD

FVC provides resources for military Veterans who want to begin farming. It also administers the Homegrown By Heroes marketing label for value-added products produced by farmer Veterans. We sponsor FVC’s work to increase national adoption of the Homegrown By Heroes label, and the organization’s annual conference, which brings together key farmer Veteran advocates and partners.

Annual Conference 

American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers 
November TBD, 2027 | TBD

This conference is attended by rural appraisers, farm managers, and agricultural consultants. Our funding supports a session where appraisers from across the country share complex or interesting valuation experiences they have encountered. A number of Farm Credit staff are involved in the organization and attend the annual meeting. 

Leaders Conference

Agriculture Future of America
November TBD, 2027 | Kansas City, MO

Farm Credit’s funding supports AFA’s Leaders Conference, a career skills workshop and networking event in Kansas City each year, and AFA’s Policy Institute, a DC-based event that teaches students agriculture advocacy skills. 

Women’s Conference

National Farmers Union
November TBC, 2027 | TBC

Farm Credit sponsors the NFU Women’s Conference, which brings together women in agriculture. Farmers, policymakers, educators and specialists present on a number of subjects, including financial management, food safety, marketing, conservation, USDA programs and more. We also support NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute, Annual Convention, National Youth Leadership Camp and work with NFU on farm stress management programs. 

Annual Educational Symposium 

American Agricultural Law Association
November TBD, 2027 | TBD

The AALA Annual Educational Symposium brings together more than 300 international, national, and regional legal and policy experts to discuss and address issues in agriculture, trade, natural resources, water, food, environmental and agribusiness law. Attendees include policymakers; in-house counsel; large, small and solo practitioners; academics; government attorneys; and students.

Trade Talk

National Association of Farm Broadcasters
November TBD, 2027 | Kansas City, MO

Farm Credit is a sponsor of Social Media Corps, a learning opportunity for ag journalism students, at NAFB’s annual meeting. This sponsorship also ensures we have a booth at the organization’s Trade Talk and Washington Watch events, where System institutions make spokespersons available to speak with ag broadcasters from across the country. 

Annual Meeting

National Black Growers Council
December TBD, 2027 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University, pairing them with a host farmer for nine weeks. 

National Heirs Property Conference

Federation of Southern Cooperatives
December TBC, 2027 | TBC

Farm Credit supports the Federation of Southern Cooperatives’ work to provide education and services to black farmers and farmer-owned cooperatives in the Southeastern United States.

This Conference creates an opportunity for 100 heirs’ property landowners to get practical information for resolving their heirs’ property issues including an in-depth 12-month checklist to guide their efforts to clear title, create an estate plan, resolve family conflicts, and much more. Landowners interact directly attorneys, tax professionals, USDA professionals, and academic experts who will share best practices and strategies to help landowners take active steps to transform their heirs’ property from a liability to an asset.

USA Rice Outlook Conference

USA Rice Federation
December TBD, 2027 | Nashville, TN

USA Rice Federation (USA Rice) is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry.  Their mission is to ensure the health and vitality of a unified U.S. rice industry by advocating on behalf of farmers, millers, merchants, and allied businesses. Farm Credit is a USA Rice Member.

Annual Membership Meeting

Intertribal Agriculture Council
December TBD, 2027 | Las Vegas, Nevada

Farm Credit sponsors  Native American students in grades 9-12 interested in farming and other agriculture careers to attend the IAC Agriculture Symposium.