On June 14, 2022, the Independent Auditor convened to tally the ballots and complete the 2022 director election process for Farm Credit West. The results of this event are documented in the customer letter posted here, completing the 2022 director election process for Farm Credit West.

For some, farming isn’t so much a job they choose as it is a lifestyle they were born into. Many grow into the role of operator with strong support from their parents and grandparents. Others, however, enter the industry without the rich history of a family business to bolster them, and the related knowledge, infrastructure and resources.

Farm Credit organizations serving California’s farmers and ranchers contributed $870,000 during 2021 to nonprofit organizations working to support the industry, preserve agriculture, and raise awareness of the importance of agriculture.

Farm Credit West and Northwest Farm Credit Services are pleased to announce the board of directors of both associations have unanimously agreed to pursue a merger of the two organizations by signing a letter of intent to merge.

Going off to college is a big leap into the unknown for most college-bound high school seniors – especially when they’re doing so in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. To help ease the transition, the California Association of Future Farmers of America (FFA) has introduced a new program to make that leap a little more manageable – and to remind the students that there are many pathways to a career in California agriculture.

Despite recent heavy rains, California is still experiencing one of its worst droughts in history, so reminding the public and policy makers that food does not grow without water is a critical need for the state’s agricultural community. That’s why Mike Wade and Farm Credit were excited to see the new SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity open recently.

Farm Credit West, ACA, one of the largest agricultural lending cooperatives in the nation, recently donated over $50,000 to food banks throughout the regions where they operate, including Arizona, California’s Central Coast, the Imperial Valley, South San Joaquin Valley, and Sacramento Valley.

California is in the middle of one of its worst droughts on record. The federal government reports that showed that nearly half of the state – including the entire Central Valley – is in an exceptional drought as of mid-October. Overall, 2021 has been the ninth driest year in California since accurate records began being kept 127 years ago.

Since 2013, the Center for Land-Based Learning in Woodland has offered Beginning Farmer Training through its California Farm Academy. The intensive seven-month program combines lectures by farmers and agricultural professionals, hands-on field experience, and farm visits to expose students to topics critical for a future in farming.

During the spring, hundreds of Farm Credit members and staff from California and around the country head to Washington, D.C., for the annual Farm Credit Fly-In. While at the Capitol, associates visit with their members of Congress and key federal regulators to discuss pending legislation and other important matters affecting agriculture.