“It’s okay to not be okay” Destigmatizing mental health conversations in rural communities Farmers, ranchers and members of rural communities across the country are struggling with mental health challenges. Recognizing this, CoBank partnered with the Colorado Agriculture Department and others in the ag community to help connect people to important resources. 

Farm Bureau Announces 2021 Ag Innovation Challenge Winners After a week filled with fascinating and inspiring business pitches from ten of America’s most innovative entrepreneurs, the American Farm Bureau Federation announced the 2021 Ag Innovation Challenge winners.

Top Ten Entrepreneurs Gear up for the 2021 Ag Innovation Challenge Learn about the inspiring, top ten semifinalists that will compete at the 2021 Ag Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneur of the Year and People's Choice Award.

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.