Community Center

Farm Credit West Sponsors Western Classic Junior Dairy Show

SINCE 2012, the Western Classic Junior Dairy Show has hosted hundreds of junior exhibitors, ages 5-21 from all over the Central Valley. This multi-day event has grown into the largest junior dairy cattle show in California. Participants show their cattle, attend various clinics and make new friends with others who are passionate about agriculture and the dairy industry. This year, the event hosted its 10th anniversary show, located for the first time in the Farm Credit Dairy Pavilion at the International Agri-Center in Tulare. Over 200 kids participated, showing 300 heads of cattle. Farm Credit West Vice President and Lead Chairperson of the event, Lauren Evangelo reflected, “Our 10th Annual show was a great success. It was wonderful to have dairy enthusiasts all together again.” This event is facilitated by local volunteers and supported by businesses and individuals in the community. Educational opportunities, like the Western Classic Junior Dairy Show, that excite the next generation of farmers, are important to the future of the agricultural industry. Farm Credit West is proud to be the event sponsor of the 2022 show and looks forward to many more in the future.

AT RIGHT: Farm Credit West Staff Member Brittany Black attends the Western Classic with her family. This was Brittany’s daughter’s first time competing in the show.

Student members of Hancock College’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Club attended a series of industry tours sponsored by Farm Credit West. Over several days, students saw agriculture in action and learned firsthand about various commodities in California. First, the students learned about agricultural water supplies at the Semitropic Water Storage District and Kern County Water Agency Banks. Then they visited a nearly closed loop dairy farm and saw new calves and learned about methane digesters. The group finished their tours with a visit to Setton Farms, the largest pistachio processing facility in the world. This was the first industry tour trip for these students since this program was canceled in 2020. Farm Credit West is happy to support these local educational opportunities for future agricultural leaders and is looking forward to supporting adventures like these for many years to come.

PICTURED: Young Farmer Rancher Club members learn about different aspects of agriculture during their multi-day industry tour.

Imperial Staff Shares Wisdom During Ag Careers Explorer

Recently, Bill Collins, Senior Vice President and Daniel Litz, Vice President in the Farm Credit West Imperial office, participated in the El Centro FFA Ag Careers Explorer Q&A in partnership with Farm Smart and University of California: Desert Research and Extension Center. FFA students joined the Ag Careers Explorer information session virtually to learn from Bill and Daniel about their positions at Farm Credit West and what led them to choose a career in the agribusiness field. Both staff members shared about their background, education and words of wisdom.

ABOVE: Daniel Litz (left) and Bill Collins (right) answer questions from FFA students. To watch the recording, scan the QR code.

Farm Credit West Participates in Forum Focused on Young, Beginning and Small Farmers

Farm Credit West attended Farm Credit Administration’s first annual National Forum on Serving Young, Beginning and Small Farmers and Ranchers held in Fort Collins, Colorado. Farm Credit associations from all over the United States gathered to share ideas on how to support customers who are starting their farming journey and different ways to build on current programs. Leaders from Colorado State University, USDA and the Farm Service Agency also attended to share their perspectives and provide valuable information. We look forward to building on these conversations and what the future will hold for young, beginning and small agricultural producers in our chartered territory. To read more about Farm Credit Association’s efforts to strengthen service to these individuals, please visit fca.gov/bank-oversight/ young-beginning-and-small-farmer-lending.