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Farm Credit Council CEO Todd Van Hoose made the following statement today: Farm Credit appreciates the leadership of Senator Hoeven and Senators Boozman and Strange in introducing the Capital for Farmers and Ranchers Act. Given all of the challenges new producers face, it's important to modernize the size of FSA guaranteed and direct loans. Beginning farmers and ranchers need access to the credit required to become commercially viable and stay afloat during this agricultural downturn.

Witnesses representing the Rebuild Rural Coalition (RRC) testified today before the House Agriculture Committee at the hearing on rural infrastructure. They underscored the different needs of rural versus urban areas. Additionally, they discussed the competitiveness of American agriculture and viability of rural communities relying on improved roads and bridges, clean water, reliable electricity and broadband internet access.

Farm Credit continued its strong support last year for young, beginning, and small farmers across the country, according to figures released by the Farm Credit Administration today. By the end of 2016, Farm Credit had increased outstanding loan volume to all three categories, despite the current difficult economic cycle affecting U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Farm Credit Council CEO Todd Van Hoose made the following statement on the confirmation of Sonny Perdue as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture: "Congratulations to Secretary Perdue on his confirmation. Farm Credit looks forward to partnering with him in support of rural communities and agriculture. At a time when many farmers are facing challenges with low commodity prices and competitive overseas markets, Secretary Perdue's leadership at USDA will be critical. His deep, personal experience in agriculture will be a great asset as he works to maintain the safety net for U.S. Producers, open markets for U.S. agricultural products and rebuild rural infrastructure."

Farm Credit CEOs from around the country joined state agriculture department leaders on a conference call with senior White House aides at the National Economic Council yesterday afternoon to discuss the need to ensure rural communities and agriculture needs are part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to ease regulatory burdens and advance infrastructure.

Leaders from more than 50 other farm and rural-focused organizations heard today from Trump Administration officials about upcoming plans to improve rural infrastructure. The meeting follows a previous meeting at the White House and a letter that Farm Credit and more than 200 organizations sent to President Donald J. Trump encouraging him to focus on rural infrastructure and #RebuildRural.

Farm Credit Council CEO Todd Van Hoose joined leaders from other farm and rural-focused organizations today in a meeting at the White House with key staff from the President’s National Economic Council.

In advance of his first speech to a joint session of Congress, more than 200 organizations remind President Donald J. Trump that the need to #RebuildRural has never been more important. American agriculture creates millions of jobs for U.S. workers and remaining competitive will require reliable infrastructure linking rural communities to global markets.

More than 200 organizations from across the country wrote to President Donald J. Trump today encouraging him to prioritize rebuilding infrastructure in rural America.

Todd Van Hoose, CEO of the Farm Credit Council, made the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump's reported nomination of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture: “Rural Americans played a critical role in the election. Governor Perdue has a long history of personal involvement in agriculture. He knows the challenges facing our nation’s farmers and rural families. USDA and Farm Credit share a common mission to support rural communities and agriculture and we look forward to working with Governor Perdue to fulfill that mission.” said Van Hoose.