Commitment to community is a longtime tradition here at Farm Credit Services Southwest (FCSSW). The organization has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars — and staff members have donated uncounted hours — to help make our agricultural communities better places to live and work.

“Our community involvement matches up nicely to our association’s mission, which is to serve agriculture and rural America,” says Gary Dyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of FCSSW. “The board, management and employees appreciate that it takes more than making loans and providing financial services to fulfill our mission. We must also sponsor and support activities that promote agriculture and the well-being of our local communities.”

California Mid-Winter Fair
President Bill Blair says, "In this age when everyone is so busy, we appreciate volunteers
like FCSSW who so willingly offer us their time, their financial support and their service."

FCSSW contributions and employee volunteerism have benefited dozens of organizations across Arizona and California’s Imperial Valley, and have made a real difference in enhancing the quality of life in the FCSSW service area.

Agricultural education, corporate citizenship, programs for young people

For example, we have a superb track record in the support of agricultural education, with an emphasis on helping young and beginning farmers develop into successful entrepreneurs. We have helped dozens of college interns gain practical knowledge about careers in agricultural finance. And we also help children learn new skills and responsibilities through 4-H and the Future Farmers of America (FFA).

Most importantly, FCSSW is committed to future generations of farmers. That’s why we readily step up to help 4-H and FFA. Whatever the need — a barbecue, a barn sale, scholarships or board membership — FCSSW consistently promotes company-wide participation “to help the kids” and encourage their appreciation of our agricultural heritage.

Let’s take a closer look at what we do …

Executive Institute

At the center of FCSSW’s educational programs is our award-winning Young Farmer/Rancher Executive Institute, which helps young farmers explore a wide variety of issues common among agribusiness families — often for the first time in their careers — and to network with other young farmers and ranchers.

Regarding this program, Gary Dyer says, “We are very proud of the Executive Institute, and willingly invest $35,000 in it annually to help dozens of young farmers and ranchers develop into successful entrepreneurs.”

Internships

In addition, FCSSW also sponsors internships in cooperation with the School of Agribusiness at Arizona State University in Tempe. The program provides a unique opportunity for interns to observe FCSSW loan officers and financial services staff and gain practical knowledge about the daily operations of a financial cooperative. Interns learn how Farm Credit functions and how they can become a part of the organization. In fact, several interns have enjoyed full-time positions with us after graduation.

$5,000 for Cattle Growers’ Association

Each year, FCSSW donates $5,000 to the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association. The donation is managed by Max McEuen, a Vice President of the Rural Arizona branch in Show Low. The cattle association uses the donation to purchase a stock trailer, which is donated in an annual raffle. Volunteers sell raffle tickets for $300 each and raise up to $60,000, which is added to a growers’ legal defense fund to fight lawsuits that could potentially damage the cattle industry.

Max McEuen says, “We enjoy seeing an organization like the Cattle Growers be able to leverage our $5,000 donation into a sizable fund. We are always happy to support such a worthwhile cause.”

Mid-Winter Fair barn sale helps young people

Regional Senior Vice President Richard Cook is proud of the El Centro, Calif. office staff’s participation in the California Mid-Winter Fair Barn Sale. This program is a cooperative fundraising program for the FFA and 4-H.

In 1996, when Richard was asked to clerk the barn sale during the annual junior livestock auction in Imperial Valley, Calif., he immediately responded, “You bet! We’d be glad to do it.”

Eight years later, the El Centro office staff’s enthusiasm is just as strong as it was at the beginning. Richard adds, “We put on a command performance, with all 11 employees (and some spouses and friends, too!) participating. Some in our group arrive before 7 a.m. one Saturday of the fair, and others don’t head home until after 9 p.m. that evening. But no one ever complains about being tired because we all have a great time and enjoy the chance to help our community, especially the 4-H and FFA groups.”

“The kids bring their buyers to us so we can input sale information into our computers. We use that information to invoice packers and buyers, and then cut Farm Credit Services Southwest checks for the FFA and 4-H, as well.

“We like helping the kids receive their money quickly and saving them the labor of billing and collecting their money from packers and buyers. El Centro's Diana Alvarez prepares all follow-up accounting work and mails the groups their checks within two weeks after the sale.

Throughout the morning, the El Centro staff keeps a ready supply of hot coffee, muffins and cookies on hand for auction buyers to enjoy. Richard explains, “We bring our barbecue trailer and barbecue close to 400 hamburgers, splitting expenses with the fair. We also spend another $2,500 to cosponsor a petting zoo during the entire 10 days of the fair. The zoo offers urban children a chance to pet and feed domestic and exotic animals, while learning a little about agriculture at the same time.”

Community service organizations

Many FCSSW employees participate in local community organizations. For example Richard Cook, of the El Centro office, and Dale Ming, of the Yuma office, are members of the Holtville Rotary Club in Holtville, Calif. Gary Dyer is a member of the Tempe Rotary Club and a past president. Craig Tyler is a member of the Safford Rotary Club.

Maricopa County Fair

If you’re in Phoenix during the Maricopa County Fair next year, you’ll definitely want to stop by the Junior Livestock Auction. At the auction, make sure you visit the Tempe office’s barbecue for the best-grilled tri-tips anywhere. This is where you’ll find Northeast Regional Senior Vice President Don Walker and his staff serving more than 800 visitors annually. FCSSW donates proceeds from the barbecue to the fair’s scholarship fund.

Don is also a board member and treasurer for the Maricopa County Fair. “I enjoy helping educate kids about agriculture. For example, the fair introduces city kids, who may not otherwise have had the opportunity, to agriculture. For the ag kids, the fair is an opportunity to learn the responsibility of raising an animal. To me, helping kids is the key to what we do.”

In addition, Tempe Vice President Richard Fleming is a member of the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation Board. Richard says, “Our mission is to develop youth and adult potential by securing new resources and expanding existing investments in Arizona 4-H. We raise about $200,000 annually through the generous contributions of corporate and individual sponsors and the community’s active involvement in our special events.

“FCSSW has been very supportive, cosponsoring dinners, such as an annual dinner in Tucson, and soliciting sponsors for our local 4-H organization. I believe that 4-H is a positive program for young people, teaching them responsibility and giving them a chance to interact with other people their age. I am proud to be part of it.”

Farm Credit Services Southwest is equally proud of its commitment to the communities we serve. We listed just a few of the many outstanding contributions that our employees make for agriculture. There are dozens of other FCSSW employees who also contribute to their communities in their own ways.

All of this generous participation demonstrates that FCSSW is more than just a lender. We are an enthusiastic corporate citizen that donates thousands of dollars and uncounted volunteer hours in the quest to make our service area a better place in which to work and live.

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