The Next Generation

As a cooperative Association, Horizon Farm Credit is committed to the mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent financial services, today and tomorrow. That forward-looking mission drives every major decision, initiative, and investment we make.

We know that the future of agriculture depends on the success of young, beginning, and small (YBS) producers and are honored to spotlight the 2022 Farmers on the Rise award recipients in this issue. I know you’ll enjoy learning about them, their operations, and how they found their passion for agriculture. I have no doubt you’ll find them to be as inspiring as I do.

The Farmers on the Rise program is one of the many ways Horizon Farm Credit supports YBS producers. We’re excited to introduce our new holistic Grow Ahead program that has been designed specifically to serve the needs of the next generation of farmers. Grow Ahead bundles established grant and award programs including Farmers on the Rise, with other business development resources, and brand new loan products that will help young and beginning farmers access the capital they need. Look for more information on Grow Ahead in this issue as well as horizonfc.com/growahead

While Grow Ahead is brand new, our commitment to the next generation of farmers is longstanding. We’ve been invested in helping YBS producers establish and grow their operations for many years and we’ve seen record numbers of that next generation become member-owners of Farm Credit. As of December 31, 2022, 25.4% of our members met the definition of young farmers, 36.8% were classified as beginning, and 61.5% were considered small farm operators. I encourage those who may qualify for our YBS programs to consider taking advantage of the tailored financial, business development, and educational resources provided.

Thank you for choosing Farm Credit. We’re here to serve you and couldn’t be more optimistic about the future of our industry.

Thomas H. Truitt, Jr. Chief Executive Officer