Rural Resilience Course Strengthens Farmers’ Community Safety Net Farm Credit, the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union joined together with Michigan State University Extension and University of Illinois Extension to create Rural Resilience, a free, online training course to help farmers, as well as their families and neighbors, cope with the mounting stress in farm country.

The Rural Community Action Guide: A Resource by and for Rural Community Leadership The opioid epidemic has disproportionately impacted rural communities. To help small town America, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy created the “Rural Community Action Guide: Building Stronger, Healthy, Drug-Free Rural Communities” (RCAG).

Conserving the Land Upon Which We Farm Farm Credit understands the vital connection between farmers and their land, as well as the importance of preserving our natural resources. These beliefs have motivated Farm Credit to be a long-standing sponsor of the Leopold Conservation Award.

Farm Credit Video Contest Winners Donate Prize Money to Local Organizations As winners of the People’s Choice Award in the Farm Credit One Mission. Many Voices. video contest, the Slomchinski’s won $10,000 to distribute to local causes of their choosing. They chose to split the funds between three organizations they felt make a difference in their community. 

Calling All Ag Entrepreneurs! Farm Credit’s commitment to supporting rural communities and agriculture means ensuring rural entrepreneurs have the tools they need to overcome barriers and grow their businesses, right in rural America. That’s why Farm Credit has partnered with the American Farm Bureau Federation to present the 2020 Ag Innovation Challenge, now accepting applications through September 30.

We’re In This Together 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. 

The Value of Broadband: Increasing the Quality of Healthcare in Rural Communities 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.

Farm Credit Steps Up When Disasters Strike Agriculture is a risky business, and natural disasters can devastate communities and jeopardize a farm family’s entire livelihood in an instant. As a local lender to farmers, ranchers and rural infrastructure providers, Farm Credit understands the challenges our customers face. And when disaster strikes, we’re out there pitching in however we can. 

Competition Sparks Rural Innovation The word “entrepreneurship” typically evokes images of Silicon Valley tech startups, food delivery services, ridesharing apps that aid commuters…the list goes on. What’s the common thread? Entrepreneurship makes us think urban. While entrepreneurs often capitalize on the needs of urban centers, innovation is critical to the growth and vitality of rural communities as well, especially when it comes to agriculture. 

CoBank Grant Supports Training for Rural Water Employees CoBank, a national cooperative bank serving Farm Credit associations, agribusinesses and rural infrastructure providers, has partnered with the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) to underwrite a program that will target and train the next generation of technical workers needed to ensure the future operation of critical water and wastewater systems in rural communities.