Responsibility ROOTED IN
2024 COOPERATIVE STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Responsibility ROOTED IN
Agriculture is more than an industry — it’s a way of life, a foundation for communities, and a driver of progress. Agriculture is built on hard work, resilience, and a deep respect for the land, and Farm Credit takes pride in standing alongside the farmers, families, and rural communities that make it all possible.
Being Rooted in Responsibility means acting with purpose and providing the financial support our members need to grow, while also investing in the future of agriculture. In 2024, together with the Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement, we contributed more than $800,000 to local initiatives, supporting education, sustainability, and community development across our 100-county footprint.
But our responsibility doesn’t stop at financial investment. We show up, advocate, and work alongside those we serve. Whether it’s helping young and beginning farmers access resources or ensuring rural businesses have the tools to succeed, we are committed to making a lasting impact.
This past year, we’ve witnessed the unwavering dedication of our members and industry partners who are shaping the future of agriculture. Whether through hands-on volunteer efforts or leadership in key initiatives, their commitment has been truly inspiring. At the same time, Farm Credit employees have demonstrated their own commitment by actively supporting causes they care about, reflecting the spirit of service and dedication that lies at the heart of our culture.
We are proud to highlight these contributions in this year’s Cooperative Stewardship Report and to continue building a stronger agricultural community together.
On behalf of our Board of Directors and the entire Horizon Farm Credit team, thank you for your support. Your trust in us is what keeps us rooted, and we look forward to serving you for years to come.
Tom Truitt Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Farm
Credit
ENVIRONMENT AND
“A healthy environment and thriving agricultural economy go hand-in-hand. We are committed to investing in programs that provide voluntary, incentive-based tools for conservation, foster the development of innovative best management practices, and approach conservation in a collaborative manner.”
• Sponsored the Leopold Conservation Award in Maryland & Pennsylvania
• Partnered with the University of Delaware Extension to promote conservation efforts across the Delmarva peninsula
• Sponsored the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts Conference and the outstanding Conservation District Award
• Sponsor of PA Land Conservation and Forever Maryland Conferences
• Supported programming for Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, the Delmarva Land & Litter Collaborative, and the MidAtlantic 4R Alliance
• Supported the Pasa Sustainable Agriculture and Future Harvest programs
• Sponsored various state and county agronomy meetings across our 100-county footprint
• Supported state-wide best management practice (BMP) loan programs
• Sponsored Northbay Education’s Rising Tide Farm project
YOUNG, BEGINNING, AND SMALL
“The future of agriculture depends on the success of young, beginning, and small producers. We’re committed to supporting the financial and business development needs of these farmers, for the growth of our industry, today and tomorrow.”
$ 250,000 | AWARDED TO FARMERS through the Farmers on the Rise and JumpStart programs
• Supported state Farm Bureau Young Farmers’ programs across our Association’s footprint
• Provided 43 financial education presentations, reaching a total of 1,144 beginning farmers
• Hosted Ag Biz Masters program for 99 registered participants
• Provided reimbursement for 60 Ag Biz Masters registrants, as a result of the successful completion of the two-year program, which totaled $13,525
• Sponsored 134 beginning farmers in the Ag Biz Basics educational program
• Waived more than $400,000 in loan origination fees to 1,106 young and/or beginning farmers
IN AGRICULTURE
“With diversity comes strength. We’re committed to a diverse agricultural industry and are proud to support inclusivity with regard to gender, ethnicity, veteran status, ability differences, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. We are always eager to engage, build relationships with, and cultivate talent among people of all backgrounds.”
• Sponsored local MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) and Junior MANRRS efforts, promoting advancement for minorities in agriculture
• Supported the LEAF (Leadership, Education and Farming) Project, which helps to develop youth leaders from diverse backgrounds through meaningful work in the food system
• Provided support to the W.B. Saul Alumni Foundation supporting the City of Philadelphia’s agricultural magnet school
• Provided curriculum and programmatic support to the Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition
• Supported MidAtlantic Women in Ag Conference
• Supported programming and promotion of the PA Veteran Farming Network, the state’s leading non-profit organization supporting military veterans and their spouses in building strong, healthy farms and agribusinesses
• Established an internal Urban Ag Workgroup of Horizon Farm Credit staff to discuss the unique aspects of urban agriculture
• The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement provided $20,000 toward scholarships with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Delaware State University, which are HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)
STRENGTHENING
“We demonstrate our commitment to the strength and resiliency of the communities that our employees and members call home by investing in programs that reduce food insecurity and enhance access to nutrition, as well as those that bolster critical community services, and provide response and relief in times of crisis or natural disaster.”
$ 110,000 | DONATED TO LOCAL FOOD BANKS ACROSS OUR FIVE-STATE FOOTPRINT
• Funded Grain Bin Rescue Tubes & Training through a partnership with Nationwide Insurance
• Sponsored Virginia Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity
• Supported hurricane disaster relief efforts in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida
• Contributed to the Clinic for Special Children, which serves children and adults who suffer from genetic and other complex medical disorders
• Supported programming with the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association
• Contributed to the printing and distribution of farm safety books directed to the plain communities within our footprint
• Contributed to the Baltimore Community Foundation’s Port Fund to support the Key Bridge collapse relief efforts
HEALTH & WELLNESS
• Supported mental health programs and resources in agriculture
• Farm Credit’s Member Assistance Program provides members with access to free, anonymous benefits like counseling, legal services, identity theft recovery, and more
AGRICULTURE EDUCATION AND
“We are committed to investing in the future of agriculture, educating consumers, and developing leaders within and for our industry.”
Horizon Farm Credit:
• Supported 4-H and FFA statewide programs across the Horizon Farm Credit footprint with investments totaling $71,750
Through the Foundation, 39 students were awarded a total of $315,000 through the 2024 scholarship program:
Alana Alexander-Giles of Marriottsville, Maryland
Shalelyn Armstrong of Port Royal, Pennsylvania
Cheyenne Bastian-Brown of Ralston, Pennsylvania
Brooke Beamesderfer of Annville, Pennsylvania
Michael Berger of Weatherly, Pennsylvania
Chloe Bomgardner of Jonestown, Pennsylvania
Dalena Bryant of Frederick, Maryland
Jaclyn Bryant of Frederick, Maryland
Brielle Carter of Harrington, Delaware
Edwina Chen of Newark, Delaware
Andrea Clark of Newport, Pennsylvania
Kaitlyn Collins of Clayton, Delaware
Charles Colvin V of Malvern, Pennsylvania
Sam Curley of Mount Airy, Maryland
Sarah Diehl of McVeytown, Pennsylvania
Peyton Dugan of Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Avery Dull of Westminster, Maryland
Peyton Easton of Dover, Delaware
Alex Empet of Kingsley, Pennsylvania
Ava Esterly of Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Hayden Fox of North East, Pennsylvania
Darcy Heltzel of Martinsburg, Pennsylvania
Georgia Horosky of St. Peters, Pennsylvania
Natalie Hummell of Macungie, Pennsylvania
Avery Kerrick of Greenwood, Delaware
Kennah Kerns of Clearbrook, Virginia
Ashlynn Kidwell of Sykesville, Maryland
Sarah Lasko of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania
Cody Lehman of Nescopeck, Pennsylvania
Carly Lindley of Frederick, Maryland
Luke Michaud of Smyrna, Delaware
Brock O’Day of Seaford, Delaware
Tate Ondrik of New Market, Maryland
Breann Poole of Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Hannah Uhlman of Exton, Pennsylvania
Ella Vandervort of Townsend, Delaware
McKenna Vest of Clayton, Delaware
Faith Wolfe of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania
Kelsey Zepp of New Windsor, Maryland
Another $50,000 was provided directly to schools and universities for agriculture scholarships.
• Invested in Ag Leadership programs, including LEAD Maryland, LEADelaware, PA RULE (PA Rural-Urban Leadership), VALOR (Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results), and Nuffield USA with donations totaling $60,000
• Supported ag education programs and mobile ag labs in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
• Sponsored The Calving Corner at the Pennsylvania Farm Show to educate consumers
• Supported educational programs and resources for dairy farmers through Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation, with investments totaling $25,000
• Sponsorship of Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore (MD), the country’s only Junior Achievement BizTown located in a rural community
Experience
“Our employees are the foundation of our success. We are committed to fostering a workplace where they feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. By investing in their well-being, development, and satisfaction, we cultivate a strong, engaged team — one that is best equipped to serve our customers and communities with excellence.”
Compensation
• Paid Time Off
• 12 Holidays
• 16 hours of volunteer time per year
• Parental Leave
– Maternity Leave – Eligible birthing mothers will receive a maximum of six weeks of 100% paid maternity leave per birth of a child/children, which must be used immediately after the birth of a child due to the impact it has on the mother’s physical health
– Bonding Leave – Eligible employees will receive a maximum of six consecutive weeks of 100% paid bonding leave to be used within six months of the birth and/ or adoption of a child/children. For birthing mothers, this is an additional six weeks of 100% paid leave in addition to the maternity leave listed above.
• Military Leave
• Paid Leave for parent/teacher conferences
• Funeral/Bereavement Leave – Compassionate leave options to support employees during difficult times
• Short Term Disability of 90 Days
• Long Term Disability
• Employee Referral Program – Compensation for employees to refer new hires to Horizon Farm Credit
Experience
Benefits
• Medical Insurance with Dental and Vision
• Group Universal Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
– Employees are able to contribute 1-75% of their salary
– Employer match is up to 6%
– Discretionary contribution of 3%
• Student Loan Reimbursement Program$3,000 per year for a maximum of five years, totaling $15,000
• Educational Assistance Program –$5,250 Per Calendar Year
• Leadership and career development opportunities
– SEED Program
– LEAD Program
– Foundations of Lending
• EAP – Employee Assistance Program
– Personal and Work Struggles
– Life Planning
• National Discount Programs
• CIGNA – Secure Travel Protection
• Group Term Life
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Business Travel Accident
• Health Savings Account
Fringe Benefits
• Calm App
• Health & Fitness ProgramReimburses one-half of the related expenses up to a combined maximum annual amount of $350
• Nectar Employee Recognition Program
• Special Recognition Programs
– Employee Choice Awards
– President’s Awards
• Career Development
– Yearly Career Development Conversations
– Performance Reviews
– Custom Personal Development Plans
Culture
• Committees and roles dedicated to employee and customer experience
• Our Core Values - ACRES
– Accountability
– Collaboration
– Relationships
– Engagement
– Stewardship
• Hybrid work environment
– Work from home flexibility
– Robin (desk reservation platform)
• Employee Engagement
– Pulse Checks
– Team Summit event
– One Team Development Day
• Summer Internship Program
• Intentional Diversity and Inclusion efforts as part of our Association’s cooperative stewardship strategy
