To everyone who benefits from the unwavering commitment of America’s farmers and ranchers, I hope you had a happy Ag Day!
Both on and off the farm, agriculture is a bright spot in the U.S. employment market, with hiring trending upward in both urban and rural areas. According to the USDA, one in 12 American jobs is agriculture-related.
Farm Credit is proud to support industry leading organizations and individuals who are helping to create job growth while developing the next generation of leaders in agriculture.
Here are just a few examples:
- Farm Credit associations and banks across the nation contribute to FFA, both locally and nationally. In addition to sponsoring the annual convention, Farm Credit supports the New Century Farmer program and the National FFA Alumni Development Conference. Matt Neal, regional vice president at Farm Credit Mid-America, recently shared how FFA programs helped him overcome a speech impediment and motivated him to pursue a career in agriculture.
- Blake Stowers is thankful for the professional development he received during his involvement with Agriculture Future of America (AFA). AFA’s mission is to create partnerships that identify, encourage and support outstanding college men and women preparing for careers in the agriculture and food industry. After taking an internship with Farm Credit Mid-America, Stowers analyzed the company culture for an AFA project, "I knew that Farm Credit had what I wanted in a company culture,” said Stowers. “I wanted to be part of an organization that believed in developing future leaders and was as passionate about the future of agriculture as I am.”
- For more than 100 years, 4-H youth clubs have served rural and urban communities through the Cooperative Extension System, a nationwide, non-credit educational network. Each U.S. state and territory has a state Extension office at its land-grant university and a network of local or regional offices. These offices are staffed by experts who provide useful, practical, and research-based information to agricultural producers, small-business owners, youth, consumers, and others in rural areas and communities of all sizes.
- The student chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) helps college students begin their careers in agribusiness through opportunities to network with industry professionals and develop marketing and communications skills. Upon graduation, members are encouraged to join regional NAMA Chapters and continue their professional development.
