How Farm Credit Mid-America Is Making a Difference Through Industry Partnerships

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Farm Credit Mid-America

Photo credit: Farm Credit Mid-America

Article sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America

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 industry partnerships and programs in the communities it serves, the financial services cooperative is helping foster the next generation of farmers and agricultural leaders.

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Building relationships and forming alliances with trusted advocates in the agricultural industry allow cooperatives like Farm Credit Mid-America to reach and impact those beyond its customer base. Through partnerships with Cattlemen’s Associations across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, Farm Credit Mid-America is able to collaborate on various programs that directly impact the lives of those involved in the cattle industry.

The Beef Heifer Initiative is one such project that encourages and enables youth to become active participants in the industry. In 2011, Farm Credit Mid-America cultivated a program alongside the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association that was quickly adopted by the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association. Through collaboration, shared passions and a joint effort to make a difference, the Youth Beef Heifer Initiative was formed with the vision of creating a lasting impact on youth in the industry.

The Youth Beef Heifer Initiative awards six deserving students in Tennessee and Kentucky with $2,000 each to purchase a heifer from a member of their respective state’s cattlemen’s association. These funds empower these youth to build on their interest in the industry by acquiring their very own heifer, improving genetics and learning more about cattle production.

“Without programs like this, I wouldn’t be in agriculture,” explains Cody Rakes, 2011 KCA Youth Beef Heifer Recipient and Beef Producer. “I was not a legacy farmer in the sense that my grandfather’s land was not passed on to me. There were too many hurdles for me to jump to get into this. The heifer initiative gave me a leg up and an opportunity to follow my passion and be involved in the industry.”

Since the partnership began, 60 deserving students have been awarded a heifer to start their own beef operation. By investing in these bright students today, Farm Credit Mid-America is helping create and support tomorrow’s agricultural leaders.

For more on how the financial services cooperative is involved in local communities across Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, visit e-farmcredit.com.

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