Farm Credit West is a proud supporter of veterans. Every year, our Veteran Affairs Coordinator Len Monaco, spends a significant amount of time traveling to various universities in California in an effort to strengthen relationships with instructors and Student Veteran Organizations. Len utilizes these visits to introduce careers in agriculture to a group of students whose strong values often align to work in this industry.

The secretary of the state Department of Food and Agriculture told Imperial Valley growers and officials Wednesday that her agency continues to work to keep agriculture viable in California. At a luncheon sponsored by Farm Credit Services Southwest in Imperial, Karen Ross discussed efforts the state is doing to address key issues such as food safety, labor issues, and the cost of doing business in the Golden State.

Each year, Madera-based Valley Children’s Healthcare holds several events to raise money to help Valley families receive top-quality medical care regardless of their ability to pay. This year, a lucky auction winner at the 2^nd annual Kids, Cowboys and Clays fundraiser was able to take home an authentic Fresno Grizzlies Triple-A championship ring valued at $3,000, courtesy of Farm Credit West and the Farm Credit Alliance.

Bringing new farmers and ranchers into agriculture and helping them succeed is an important priority in California and across the nation. As in many fields, the average age of farmers is rising. In fact, the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture showed that the average principal farm owner in 2012 was 58.3 years old, up from just 50.5 years in 1982.

In celebration of “National Read a Book Day” on Thursday, September 6, volunteers from the local agriculture community in Imperial Valley participated in the first annual "Read with a Farmer" Day.

At Farm Credit West, we believe strongly that we must support the future generation of farmers and ranchers. That's why we attend several Jr. Livestock Auctions in our territory each year. These auctions are a great way for young people to be exposed to the business of Agriculture.

Calling all ag-focused rural entrepreneurs! Want the chance to win $10,000 to $40,000 for your food- and/or agriculture-related business? Apply for the Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge today! Farm Credit is partnering with Farm Bureau to host this competition to honor creative entrepreneurs across the country solving the unique problems faced by rural communities.

Farmer veterans shared their unique perspective with policymakers in Washington, D.C., July 11-12 as part of a fly-in organized by Farm Credit. More than 60 farmer veterans who are Farm Credit customers or Farm Credit employees who are veterans visited with key lawmakers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to highlight the role of veterans in agriculture and talk about the needs of servicemen and women as they transition from military to careers in agriculture.

For almost 40 years, the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom has been helping teachers and students around the state “Learn About Ag.” Judy Culbertson, the Foundation’s executive director, says it’s more and more important in urban districts and rural areas alike that students understand that their food comes from a farm before it appears neatly packaged in their neighborhood supermarket.

Growing up in Susanville, in far northeastern California, Cal Zamora had always been exposed to agriculture. His parents had raised chickens and vegetables and had a small orchard. But it wasn’t until he was a Marine deployed to Iraq in 2007 that he really knew that he had farming in his blood.