As part of the nationwide Farm Credit System, Farm Credit Mid-America takes its purpose to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture to heart. Through investments in strategic partnerships and programs in the communities it serves, the financial services cooperative is helping to foster new generations of farmers and agricultural leaders.
Inspiring New Ag Leaders from the Classroom
Kelli Kreider is a second-generation farmer, associate professor, and program chair of the agriculture department at Ivy Tech University in Fort Wayne. She is also a member of the Farm Credit Mid-America’s Advocate Council.
“I grew up on my family’s grain and livestock farm in Whitley County,” said Kelli. “My parents were first-generation farmers who got their start nearly 40-years ago with Farm Credit Mid-America.”
Watching her mother on the farm led Kelli to develop a lifelong love for agriculture. Over the years, Kreider says she has seen the industry shift to be more inclusive of women. “It’s not anything like it was ten years ago, but I’ve always dealt with some discrimination as a female in agriculture.”
Kelli served as an FFA advisor early in her career as an ag educator. As a young female in a traditionally male field, Kreider initially experienced pushback in her position but ultimately grew her program to be more inclusive.
“I didn’t do anything different. I just taught and involved everyone. A few of my female students told me they saw themselves in me, and if I could be a woman in agriculture, so could they. Some of those students have gone on to take on some pretty big roles in the agricultural field,” Kelli said.
In the classroom, Kelli shares her love of agriculture with the next generation of farmers. She leverages her advocate role with Farm Credit Mid-America to enrich her students’ experience. Through her relationships, Kelli has access to guest speakers, shares about the various Farm Credit Mid-America scholarships and programs, and shows students the importance of having a trusted, relationship-focused lender on their side when they enter the field.
Many of the cooperative’s loan officers are also farmers who understand the importance of building relationships with trusted advisors. “Farm Credit does a great job of building relationships and being out in the community,” Kelli stated.
While relationships are an important part of working with a lender, Kelli teaches young and beginning farmers that securing their first loan will depend the quality of their application and business plan.
In all her roles, Kelli strives to be an enthusiastic role model and advocate for young people in agriculture. Her passion shows up in everything she does, including her creative approach to connect with her students during the pandemic. Kelli turned to social media and created the SheFarmsIt platform on YouTube and Instagram, where she shares the “What, Why and How” of agriculture.
Seeing representation in the industry matters, and Kreider’s passion is inspiring the next generation of farmers and producers.
Fostering Diversity in Ag
Other partnerships outside the classroom are also helping Farm Credit Mid-America engage with new and beginning farmers of diverse backgrounds.
In 2021, the Association partnered with Black Soil KY to aid in the construction of 48 high tunnels across Kentucky. These greenhouse-like structures will help farmers extend the growing season and combat residential food insecurity.
The Old Schoolhouse in a rural hamlet in Fayette County Kentucky was the first recipient of a grant for one of these high tunnels. The farm is owned and operated by Andrea James and her husband Rodney.
“I see so much opportunity with our high tunnel. Black Soil has provided the connections and resources needed and it has helped to make the process feel a lot less intimidating,” Andrea explains.
Andrea’s passion for agriculture is rooted in her past. Her grandfather raised turkeys and would give them to those in need in town each Thanksgiving. Her father also nurtured a garden for the family, so James did not realize until later in life that food for many families does not come from “farm to table,” but from “grocery store to table.”
While serving on the City Council for Lexington, Kentucky’s 1st district, she noticed a push for urban agriculture in intercity areas and less in Fayette County’s rural areas and hamlets. This ignited a desire to reconnect people with land and growing food, which led her to work with Black Soil KY.
Black Soil KY works with 20 black-owned farms across the state and uses agritourism and a robust event plan to educate consumers and connect them with local farmers. The variety of programs offered to connect Kentuckians to where their food comes from and emphasizes the value of buying local.
Discover more at e-farmcredit.com.
