In today’s fast-paced world, it’s rare to go one day without using the internet. So, it’s important to understand how to navigate it safely. Are you actively practicing the following tips?

Are mindsets and attitudes positive or negative difference makers in your farm business? Maintaining a strong network of people who are collaborative and can think critically will be the seed and fertilizer needed for success.

During college, Levi Bailey of Clay County sold seed for a small independent company, which helped him create relationships that would move him closer to the career and lifestyle he always envisioned.

Director cup recipients honored at Illinois State Fair, learn about upcoming fall/winter Farm Credit College courses, and learn about opportunities for youth with agriculture scholarships and community improvement grants.

Director election results announced. Apply for the Cultivating Master Farmers Program. Board of Directors now accepting applications for the FreshRoots Directors Cup.

The post-harvest 2018 edition of Cultivation includes useful information about the Farmland Value Study, upcoming Farm Credit College programs, and how to apply for 2019 Scholarships and 4-H/FFA Grants. Cultivations comes out twice a year and is mailed to all FCI cooperative members and crop insurance customers.

This issue includes a patronage photo slideshow, how to identify phishing emails, access to the land values benchmark study, a report on land sales in the last 90 days, and how lowered interest rates will impact the rest of 2019.

In this issue of ESSENTIALS, you'll watch a timely weather outlook update from Eric Snodgrass, learn about the new FCI cash patronage program, meet the Director's Cup recipients and also meet the 2019 Summer Interns!

Lots of great content in this issue: KOHL-laborations, INTERESTing Times, a "Text Club" contest with terrific prizes, meet the 2019 Ag Scholars and Community Grant Recipients, important crop insurance information, Staff in the Spotlight introducing new FCI employees and celebrating milestone anniversaries and more!

Learn how prevent or delayed planting provided a safety net this tough planting season that helped soften the impact of weather. And harvest may be later than usual, but you will want to review a pre-harvest policy inspection list included in this issue. And you’ll also learn about other protection options that fall outside the common ones farmers are most familiar. 

As you make plans for the 2019 crop year, you may be questioning the impact of each input cost on your bottom line - including crop insurance. Read how investing in crop insurance provides value to your risk management plan over time.

Are mindsets and attitudes positive or negative difference makers in your farm business? Maintaining a strong network of people who are collaborative and can think critically will be the seed and fertilizer needed for success.

What does the recent rate reduction by the FOMC and the ending of the Fed's balance sheet runoff earlier than planned mean for the future of interest rates?

Phishing emails are one of the most common online threats. Being aware of this danger and knowing how to spot phony requests can protect your personal and farm business information.