Farm Credit University offers leading educational ag opportunities

For nearly two decades, AgFirst’s Farm Credit University (FCU) has created success stories in the lives of agriculture professionals by offering affordable educational opportunities that serve various business needs. 

This program strengthens AgFirst’s mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture by providing professional development and lifelong learning opportunities for farmers, ag lenders and Farm Credit employees.

“Farm Credit University is a multi-faceted program in terms of subject matter and audiences that stands the test of time, with nearly 7,000 enrollments nationwide in the past 17 years,” said Dr. David Kohl, chancellor of Farm Credit University. “Individuals who made the investment to participate in the wide range of programs for lenders and producers are now emerging as the next generation of leaders in the agriculture and ag lending industry.”

Course variety

FCU offers courses for a variety of professionals.

Producers. Agriculture can be a tough profession, which is why FCU provides the tools to take careers and businesses to the next level. The Producer Academy features online courses for farmers and ranchers designed to fit their busy schedules to successfully launch, grow and manage their businesses to excel in today’s marketplace.

Ag lenders can also benefit from the Credit Academy to boost their knowledge and careers, whether they are new to lending or have years of industry experience. This program embraces the fundamentals in credit risk and financial analysis training, and guides individuals through the process of structuring different types of loans for ag businesses.

Farm Credit employees. FCU offers professional development and training opportunities for Farm Credit employees with access to the Leadership Academy and Credit Academy. In these programs, employees advance their writing, leadership, presentation, negotiation, credit analysis and sales skills. FCU also offers the Launch Pad new employee orientation and Ag 101, an overview of American agriculture and the businesses Farm Credit finances.

“We’re very proud of the FCU brand and of our mission to bring high quality, affordable training solutions to producers, lenders and Farm Credit employees,” said Ronnie Hucks, AgFirst District learning liaison.

Accessibility

From interactive online content to on-demand and in person sessions, FCU is widely accessible through multiple delivery methods to help industry professionals improve their management and business planning skills. The flexibility gives individuals the choice to work at their own pace and the option to interact with their peers and instructors. This access further supports Farm Credit’s mission of preparing young, beginning, small and minority farmers and ranchers for more successful careers.

“Networking is critical in the agriculture industry,” said Alicia Morris, director of Farm Credit University Training. “FCU’s training provides educational as well as networking opportunities amongst Farm Credit employees and ag lenders nationwide. The blended training approach accelerates knowledge transfer and enhances lifelong professional and personal relationships.”

FCU value

The FCU value is evident in the courses and training materials that apply real-world scenarios and exercises to today’s agribusiness market. For example, the Ag Biz Planner course guides farmers and ranchers through the process of developing a business plan and working with agricultural lenders, while the Commercial Ag Lender course focuses on structuring different types of loans for ag businesses and the principles of writing an effective loan narrative and negotiating terms of a loan.

Courses are designed by industry experts who apply their knowledge of rural and agriculture markets to all materials to provide premier educational resources supporting professionals within the ag industry. All courses are in line with industry standards and are peer-reviewed by leading academics, lenders, members of the Farm Financial Standards Council and instructional design professionals.

Simply put, with Farm Credit University, you’re learning from the best.

To learn more about Farm Credit University and its educational programs, visit fcuniversity.com.