WASHINGTON Update Tom Tom Cosgrove Cosgrove Executive Vice for Public Affairs SeniorPresident Vice President for Public Affairs
Making Sure Farm Credit’s Voice is Heard in Washington As a cooperative, telling the Farm
Administration (FCA), and Farm Credit
In addition, we discussed Farm
Credit story to policymakers and other
institutions themselves, so it’s important
Credit’s efforts to support diversity,
stakeholders is really telling the story of you,
they understand the important role Farm
equity and inclusion in agriculture and
our members. And there’s no one better to
Credit plays in supporting members’
concern over regulations that would
tell that story than members themselves.
operations. With the political turmoil over
impose undue reporting burdens on
infrastructure proposals, government
Farm Credit institutions.
In early November, Farm Credit East participated in the Farm Credit national Fly-
funding and the debt ceiling, topics
in, held in Washington, D.C. Representing
specific to Farm Credit and our customers
Farm Credit East customers were four
can get lost in the rhetoric.
board members who, along with four
Not all Congressional offices are
staff, joined with more than 600 Farm
familiar with Farm Credit, so in some
Credit representatives from across the
meetings, we take time to present
country, including board members, staff
“Farm Credit 101,” or the basics of how
and customers. Farm Credit representatives
our cooperative operates. In offices
met with members of Congress to tell them
familiar with Farm Credit, our delegation
about the amazing work our customers do
discussed a number of issues, but
every day, and how associations like Farm
underlying all our conversations was
Credit East support them.
the core message: Farm Credit supports
Holding an event like this as COVID-19
rural communities and agriculture with
continues to impact everyday life made
reliable, consistent credit and financial
it different than past fly-ins. All local
services, today and tomorrow.
Senator Susan Collins (ME) with Farm Credit East Director Peter Triandafillou
As noted earlier, the final event of
mandates were followed, including
Other issues discussed included:
the Fly-in was an outdoor Congressional
wearing masks indoors, and though some
• How Farm Credit has supported the
reception. Farm Credit East was pleased to
visits with Congressional leaders were
essential work of our customers
feature customers’ hard cider and spirits
held virtually, many were held in-person.
during the pandemic.
from New York’s Hudson Valley along with
The event concluded with a reception
• How Farm Credit supports its
featuring Farm Credit customer products
from across the country.
Despite the challenges of holding such
pies made from Connecticut grown apples.
customers as they combat climate
Enjoying customer products is a tangible
change and protect the environment.
way for members of Congress and their
• The need for a long-term solution to
staffs to appreciate the efforts of all our
an event, the importance of doing so was
provide a reliable source of
customers and understand that their story
more evident than ever. As the creator of
agricultural labor, urging Senate
is one worth telling.
the Farm Credit System, Congress, through
action on the House-passed
its agriculture committees, provides
bipartisan Farm Workforce
oversight of our regulator, the Farm Credit
Modernization Act as a first step. FALL 2021
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