Knowledge Center
Find the latest news, industry articles, auction results, member features, and more.-
Stay Informed. View the Latest News and Events
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Essentials12.08.21Essentials - Issue 6, 2021In this issue, read Dr. Kohl's recent commentary on beginning farmers, learn how to protect your input investments with customized crop insurance coverage, and register for a learning program near you.
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Insights12.03.21Frontline Insight from Young and Beginning ProducersAfter more than 200 webcasts during the pandemic, Dr. Kohl resumed in-person sessions. What has he found most interesting from his latest interactions with young farmers? What are some of the principles and practices that will give the next generation a higher probability of being on the positive side of the financial and quality-of-life ledgers?
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News12.03.21Keep Your Information Secure with Software UpdatesIt can be tempting to ignore notifications to update device software. Even though they are time consuming and seemingly never-ending, software updates are crucial and offer several benefits to you and your device. And as you evaluate year-end numbers and share sensitive information during loan renewal and tax season, this becomes crucial.
Cultivations
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Cultivations11.15.21Cultivations Post-Harvest 2021In this issue, read a message from the CEO on preparing for a year of increased prices, a land value trend report, and check out FCI's community improvement grants, agriculture scholarships, and Directors Cup awards.
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Cultivations03.11.21Cultivations Pre-Plant 2021In this issue, read about Director elections, preseason patronage, FreshRoots Directors Cup details, and commentary from Dr. David Kohl.
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Cultivations11.24.20Cultivations Post-Harvest 2020In this issue: Farmland values benchmark study results, 2021 Director's Cup recipients announced, Dr. Kohl with a post-harvest action plan, 2021 FCI ag scholarship and community grant applications now online, and dates and registration link provided for virtual Farm Credit College programs.
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Cultivations03.11.20Cultivations Pre-Plant 2020
In this issue, learn the results of the Board of Director elections, discover details on eligibility requirements and how to apply for the 2020 $5,000 Directors Cup Award, and be inspired when Dr. David Kohl shares tips from operations experiencing success by setting short and long-term goals.
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Cultivations10.31.19Cultivations - Post Harvest 2019Director 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.
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Cultivations03.20.19Cultivatations Pre-plant 2019Director election results announced. Apply for the Cultivating Master Farmers Program. Board of Directors now accepting applications for the FreshRoots Directors Cup.
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Cultivations11.08.18Cultivations - Post-Harvest 2018The 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.
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Cultivations03.15.18Cultivations - Preplanting 2018
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Essentials12.08.21Essentials - Issue 6, 2021In this issue, read Dr. Kohl's recent commentary on beginning farmers, learn how to protect your input investments with customized crop insurance coverage, and register for a learning program near you.
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Essentials10.05.21Essentials - Issue 5, 2021In this issue listen to a weather update from Eric Snodgrass, learn about FCI's operating loan advantage, and view the Focus on Farming calendar winners.
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Essentials08.16.21Essentials - Issue 04, 2021In this issue gain access to the Annual Farmland Values Benchmark Study, review land sales listing for the past six months, get the latest Federal Reserve meeting update, learn how to protect your personal and farm business information against phishing attacks, discover the FCI operating loan advantage, mark your calendar with upcoming crop insurance deadlines, and get the scoop on the upcoming Farm Progress Show and be sure to visit the Farm Credit tent.
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Essentials06.10.21Essentials - Issue 03, 2021In this issue listen to a weather update from Eric Snodgrass, meet the 2021 FreshRoots Directors Cup honoreers, get the latest on the Paycheck Protection Program and loan forgiveness, jot down upcoming crop insurance deadlines, and more.
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Essentials04.09.21Essentials - Issue 02, 2021In this issue read KOHL-laborations and the four P strategies and tactics, a PPP update, how we protect your FCI account with passphrase protocol, preseason patronage has been delivered, the 2020 Annual Report released, and more.
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Essentials02.12.21Essentials Issue 01, 2021Get the latest weather update from Eric Snodgrass and review land auction results for the past five months in FCI's 60-county territory. Also learn where you can access recordings of the winter learning programs.
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Essentials12.09.20Essentials Issue 06, 2020In this issue: Fall and winter virtual workshops announced for Fielding Forward and Estate Planning Series, Dr. Kohl reviews a post-harvest action plan, SBA releases PPP loan information, FCI 2021 scholarship and grants announced, crop insurance reminder dates, and holiday season precautions to take when shopping online.
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Essentials10.07.20Essentials - Issue 05, 2020This issue includes a weather update from Eric Snodgrass, crop insurance reminders and more details on PRF, and the announcement of the 2021 Focus on Farming calendar contest finalists.
Industry Insights
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Insights12.03.21Protect Input Investments with Customized Crop CoverageAs input prices soar, the countless decisions farmers must make before putting in the 2022 crop are daunting. Farmers can customize their crop insurance coverage to fit their unique risk management plan and budget just like any other input. And FCI agents are here to help farmers confidently protect their input investments and create a bottom-line guarantee.
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Insights12.03.21Frontline Insight from Young and Beginning ProducersAfter more than 200 webcasts during the pandemic, Dr. Kohl resumed in-person sessions. What has he found most interesting from his latest interactions with young farmers? What are some of the principles and practices that will give the next generation a higher probability of being on the positive side of the financial and quality-of-life ledgers?
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Insights08.09.21FOMC Discusses Fed Funds, the Economy, and Bond Buying
The recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting discussed unexpected rapid economic growth and high inflation pressures, as well as the future of the bond purchasing program.
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Insights05.17.21Six Ways Farmers Gain the Competitive EdgeAre 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.
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Insights03.05.21The Cooperative Advantage for Farm Families and Ag BorrowersWhen choosing a lender, consider the advantage of working with a cooperative - owned by its members and not outside investors. Lending cooperatives deliver value by serving the needs of member-borrowers and their communities.
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Insights12.11.19Six Ways Farmers Gain the Competitive EdgeAre 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.
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Insights10.15.19Make Informed Decisions with Annual Cash Flow StatementsRunning a farm business is demanding – especially in today’s tight margin environment. Taking the time at year-end to create a cash flow statement can help you make informed decisions all year.
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Insights08.08.19How Lowered Interest Rates Will Impact the Rest of 2019What 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?
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News12.03.21Keep Your Information Secure with Software UpdatesIt can be tempting to ignore notifications to update device software. Even though they are time consuming and seemingly never-ending, software updates are crucial and offer several benefits to you and your device. And as you evaluate year-end numbers and share sensitive information during loan renewal and tax season, this becomes crucial.
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News08.16.21Farm Credit Breaks Ground On New Taylorville Office
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Aug. 12, at the construction site for a new Farm Credit Illinois regional office in Taylorville.
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News08.06.21Farmland Value Benchmark Study Results
Throughout central and southern Illinois, farmland values increased an average of 8.54% with 18 of the 20 benchmark farms increasing and two unchanged. This is the third consecutive year of an increase in values. When considering the 20 benchmarks individually, the year-over-year percentage changes ranged from 0 to +20.51%.
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News08.05.21Phishing Attacks A Scam Prevention Guide
Phishing attacks are unavoidable in this technology age, which makes it crucial to learn how to identify and prevent them. The linked article below offers five tips to help protect your personal and farm business information from one of the most common online threats.
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News08.05.21Auction Results Land Sales in Last 6 monthsThe listing includes results for 80 different farmland auctions reported since the last results were published in February 2021. These public auctions concluded with successful bids and represented 8,000 total acres in 26 different counties selling for a grand total of $82.2 million with an average price of $10,273 per acre. The highest price per acre was $16,800 for Class A land in Edgar County; the lowest price per acre was $2,553 for Class C land in Richland County.
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News07.12.21Get Easy Access to Affordable Credit with The FCI Operating Loan AdvantageAn operating line of credit from FCI gives farmers the liquidity they need to capitalize on an opportunity at a moment's notice in addition to all the cooperative value that comes with being a member.
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News06.14.21Farm Credit Members Share $30 Million Cash Patronage Distribution
Nearly 8,000 Farm Credit Illinois borrowers receive their share of a $30 million cash patronage distribution this week. This is FCI’s second patronage distribution in 2021, following a special $10 million preseason payment in March.
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News06.03.21How Government Debt and Fed Balance Sheets Impact Your FarmAs the Fed continues to increase their balance sheet and absorb new debt, learn how to protect your farm business from the potential risk of future higher rates.
