Anarely Flores has farming in her DNA. Her grandfather was a farmer in Mexico, and when her family visited him during the summer as a child, she would be put to work. But she didn’t like farm work and her mother is employed in agriculture so she decided at an early age that she would go in a different direction.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Since 1928, the California FFA has been encouraging high school students to pursue a wide range of careers related to agriculture through hands-on learning and leadership development. And throughout virtually all of FFA’s history, Farm Credit has been a proud supporter of the organization.

Farm Credit West showed its support for the 16^th Annual Youth Ag Day on March 20. The event was held at the Solano County Fairgrounds and was attended by Loan Officer, Nicole Swanson.