Public Policy Update

WASHINGTON Update

Tom Cosgrove Tom Cosgrove Senior Vice President for Public Affairs Executive Vice President for Public Affairs

Making Sure Farm Credit’s Voice is Heard in Washington

As a cooperative, telling the Farm Credit story to policymakers and other stakeholders is really telling the story of you, our members. And there’s no one better to tell that story than members themselves.

In early November, Farm Credit East participated in the Farm Credit national Flyin, held in Washington, D.C. Representing Farm Credit East customers were four board members who, along with four staff, joined with more than 600 Farm Credit representatives from across the country, including board members, staff and customers. Farm Credit representatives met with members of Congress to tell them about the amazing work our customers do every day, and how associations like Farm Credit East support them.

Holding an event like this as COVID-19 continues to impact everyday life made it different than past fly-ins. All local mandates were followed, including wearing masks indoors, and though some visits with Congressional leaders were held virtually, many were held in-person. The event concluded with a reception featuring Farm Credit customer products from across the country.

Despite the challenges of holding such an event, the importance of doing so was more evident than ever. As the creator of the Farm Credit System, Congress, through its agriculture committees, provides oversight of our regulator, the Farm Credit Administration (FCA), and Farm Credit institutions themselves, so it’s important they understand the important role Farm Credit plays in supporting members’ operations. With the political turmoil over infrastructure proposals, government funding and the debt ceiling, topics specific to Farm Credit and our customers can get lost in the rhetoric.

Not all Congressional offices are familiar with Farm Credit, so in some meetings, we take time to present “Farm Credit 101,” or the basics of how our cooperative operates. In offices familiar with Farm Credit, our delegation discussed a number of issues, but underlying all our conversations was the core message: Farm Credit supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services, today and tomorrow.

Other issues discussed included: • How Farm Credit has supported the essential work of our customers during the pandemic. • How Farm Credit supports its customers as they combat climate change and protect the environment. • The need for a long-term solution to provide a reliable source of agricultural labor, urging Senate action on the House-passed bipartisan Farm Workforce

Modernization Act as a first step.

In addition, we discussed Farm Credit’s efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion in agriculture and concern over regulations that would impose undue reporting burdens on Farm Credit institutions.

As noted earlier, the final event of the Fly-in was an outdoor Congressional reception. Farm Credit East was pleased to feature customers’ hard cider and spirits from New York’s Hudson Valley along with pies made from Connecticut grown apples. Enjoying customer products is a tangible way for members of Congress and their staffs to appreciate the efforts of all our customers and understand that their story is one worth telling.

Senator Susan Collins (ME) with Farm Credit East Director Peter Triandafillou

FINANCIAL PARTNER is for the customers, employees and friends of Farm Credit East. Farm Credit East is a customerowned lending cooperative serving the farm, commercial fishing and forest products businesses in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. Part of the national Farm Credit System, Farm Credit East is a full-service lender dedicated to the growth and prosperity of agriculture.

HOW TO REACH US: Whether you want to praise us, complain, ask our advice or just let us know what’s on your mind, we’d like to hear from you. WRITE: Kristie Matuszewski, Editor, Farm Credit East, 240 South Road, Enfield, CT 06082-4451 CALL: 860.741.4380 E-MAIL: kristie.matuszewski@farmcrediteast.com

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Joy and peace to all this holiday and always.