Agriculture is a growing and evolving industry, skills and industry knowledge develop over a lifetime.
For young farmers, one of the largest barriers to entry is access to new land and capital, that’s why Farm Credit Mid-America is dedicated to investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders. Farm Credit Mid-America, a financial services cooperative, has served the credit needs of farmers and rural residents across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee for more than a century. Farm Credit Mid-America invests in communities through scholarships, training programs and agricultural education.
Not all farmers enter the field the same way. Some find their love of agriculture in high school by joining National FFA Organization (FFA) or 4-H. Others discover an ag-related career in college. Over the last five years, Farm Credit Mid-America has invested more than $6 million in youth and young farmers programs that help grow the next generation of agriculture.
In Louisville, Seneca High School student and FFA President Sara Fouts says that because of the financial support her chapter receives from Farm Credit Mid-America, “we are given opportunities to step outside our comfort zones and truly immerse in agriculture.”
Each year, Farm Credit Mid-America sends Seneca FFA students and advisors to the National FFA Convention. Fouts recalls her experience there as, “extremely engaging. Throughout the week, I was able to talk to FFA members from across the country and share our experiences. Attending the convention exposed me to many different industries within agriculture.” Opportunities like the FFA National Convention are extremely valuable to urban ag FFA chapters such as Seneca given many of its members come from backgrounds other than agriculture.
Scholarships are crucial for college, and Farm Credit Mid-America’s signature scholars program awards the best and brightest agriculturally focused students with a $5,000 scholarship as well as learning and travel experiences that focus on leadership development and financial education. The program aims to equip these future ag leaders with the skill and abilities needed to meet the growing demands of the industry. Since 2016, Farm Credit Mid-America has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships and experiential learning.
“Because of the Farm Credit Mid-America scholarship, I’m less worried about student debt,” said Savannah Bordner, a Farm Credit Mid-America scholar, studying at Purdue University in Indiana. “I can focus on the leadership and networking opportunities that have been created for those of us in the program. The program continues to give me opportunities to develop my leadership skills and makes me excited for the future of agriculture.”
It’s not only students gaining an agricultural education but also adults from various backgrounds. Veterans also seek new opportunities after returning home from service, and opportunities in agriculture aren’t always in the form of formal education.
In Cleveland, Keymah Durden turned a formerly abandoned part of town into a thriving community resource for fresh produce. He trains veterans in urban agriculture at Rid-All’s “Victory Garden,” supported by Farm Credit Mid-America. Of the success he’s seen, Durden shares, “we’ve trained more than 250 veterans; many have become operators of their own farms and volunteers throughout the area. Farm Credit Mid-America has helped our clients reach their goals by providing essential resources, training and health and wellness programming.”
Many established farmers find themselves interested in expanding their knowledge by going back to earn professional-level and post-graduate degrees.
When Memphis-based farmer John Butler sought to hone new skills and grow his professional network, he joined the Farm Credit Mid-America-supported Lipscomb Regional Scholars to earn a master’s in leadership and public service. Butler reflects: “Through this program I have developed great relationships with peers from across Tennessee and share learnings of the industry. I’m continually humbled by the Farm Credit folks and their investment in me.”
Investing in the next generation is just one of the many ways Farm Credit Mid-America is committed to securing the future of agriculture. Discover more at e-farmcredit.com.
