More than 800 participants from 48 states and Puerto Rico came to Washington, D.C. the first week in November to bring to life Farm Credit’s mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture. The 2025 Farm Credit Fly-In, themed “Celebrating the Best of American Agriculture,” encompassed two full days of advocacy, learning and celebration.
To kick off the General Session, attendees heard from Congressional Management Foundation CEO Jen Daulby, who shared insights about navigating Capitol Hill and stressed the importance of continuing advocacy work even during a government shutdown. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glen “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) and Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-2), emphasized the important role that Farm Credit plays in rural America and discussed the bipartisan efforts underway to develop Farm Bill 2.0. Farm Credit Council President & CEO, Christy Seyfert, closed the session by encouraging participants to leverage the well-timed opportunity to talk with lawmakers about what Farm Bill 2.0 will mean in their local districts and states.
Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert closed the Fly-In General Session
While some participants chose to take a guided walking tour of the monuments, others took part in an after-hours tour of the Spy Museum. The Spy Museum tour included former espionage professionals sharing stories and experiences from their time in the field. Other attendees also used the evening to explore Washington’s vibrant restaurant scene.
The following morning, Farm Credit representatives greeted members of Congress and congressional staff outside of House and Senate office buildings with coffee made from customer-produced milk and pumpkin pastries. Moo Thru, a Farm Credit of the Virginias customer, supplied two food trucks, one for each side of the Capitol. Along with the coffee and pastries, visitors received information on how Farm Credit fulfills its mission to serve rural America and agriculture.
The day started with “Breakfast Celebrating Women Leaders in Agriculture” at The Monocle, a Capitol Hill institution. Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-3) and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-08) shared their perspectives on the important role women play in agriculture, both on and off the farm. During the event, Christy Seyfert announced a new Farm Credit initiative in honor of 2026: The International Year of the Woman Farmer. The Farm Credit Council, in collaboration with FCCS, will invite each Farm Credit institution to nominate one leader to participate in a special session of FCCS’ Woman of Distinction program, being referred to as “Advancing Women in Agriculture through Resilience & Distinction,” or AWARD. This program will bring together women from across the country for a transformational three-day leadership development experience at the historic Gettysburg battlefield.
Women from across the Farm Credit System attended a breakfast celebrating women leaders in agriculture
Fly-In participants spent the day walking and meeting the halls of Congress, as directors and customers highlighted how Farm Credit supports their operation and lobbied for Farm Bill 2.0. The day totaled over 420 meetings on Capitol Hill, eighty percent of all congressional offices.
Farm Credit representatives met with House Agriculture Committee member Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS-03)
The culmination of the Fly-In was Farm Credit’s signature Marketplace Reception on the District Pier at the Wharf. Guests sampled products from Farm Credit customers across the country, from honey and cheese to beef sticks and wine. Mixologists served specialty cocktails made with customer ingredients, and a digital photobooth captured the excitement of the evening. Altogether, nearly 2,300 guests experienced Farm Credit’s mission firsthand and met the customers it supports across agriculture’s many sectors.
The Marketplace featured products from Farm Credit customers across the country
