Making a difference
At our core, we are driven by a commitment to support our owners, fellow co-ops, and community. Through socially responsible outreach and other initiatives, we strive to make a meaningful impact locally and nationally. This is the essence of good citizenship, and it's deeply ingrained in the co-op way.
Community involvement
From participation in company-sponsored volunteer events and our matching gift program to supporting relief organizations in times of disaster, our co-op embraces the tenet that we should support the communities where we live and work. That is evidenced by our most recent support for Central Texas Food Bank, Community First Village, Festival Beach Food Forest and Sustainable Food Center of Austin.
Environment, people and how we operate
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and community. Our dedication extends from local communities to national support through organizations like the Farm Credit Council.
Environmental sustainability
The agricultural community — farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses — embraces new technologies and champions sustainable practices because their livelihoods depend on it. Farmers and ranchers strive to develop and adopt practices that are efficient and environmentally sound. From soil conservation to smart irrigation methods, today’s producers work to preserve resources for future generations using the latest data and equipment.
People
We provide dependable funding for rural communities and infrastructure. Farm Credit works to strengthen rural communities’ access to reliable water, power, health care and telecommunications services to help build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
We also foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. In 2020, we named the first female CEO in the co-op’s history. Our executive leadership team is represented by 43% females and 43% diverse leaders. The bank also attracts and develops a diverse group of talented professionals through competitive pay and benefits, professional development opportunities and other assistance.
Governance
We’re a co-op and since we’re owned by our customers, we prioritize their voices in our decision-making processes, ensuring our collective actions benefit the communities we serve.
Local, regional and national support
We are deeply embedded in the communities where we live and work, providing unwavering support to many, locally, regionally, and nationally.
When disaster strikes, whether from wildfires, hurricanes or other emergencies, we help bring relief to those in crisis. Often partnering with other Farm Credit organizations to maximize donations, we help affected individuals and communities recover.
In addition to charitable causes, we contribute to Farm Credit’s national contributions program, which supports causes such as HBCU Partnership Challenge (benefiting historically Black colleges and universities), FFA, 4-H, and programs that help veterans and other young, beginning and small-operation farmers.
Our employees are passionate about donating their time and efforts to serving their communities. From volunteering efforts at packaging food boxes, to planting seeds and greens at edible food forests, to serving on boards and committees, our employees make a difference every year.
To support employees’ personal passions, we offer a Matching Gifts program, matching the first $250 of employee donations to qualified nonprofits.