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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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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News04.07.21Finding Your Phoenix
Dr. David Kohl examines 4 P strategies and tactics that may prove useful in the regenerative state of your business and help you find your phoenix.
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News04.07.21Illinois Students Receive $58,000 of Scholarships
Farm Credit Illinois named 29 high school seniors as agriculture scholarship recipients in central and southern Illinois.
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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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Cultivations11.01.17Cultivations - Post-harvest 2017
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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.
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Essentials08.14.20Essentials Issue 04, 2020This issue includes how COVID-19 is affecting the Federal Reserve's interest rate strategy, the release of the Annual Benchmark Study on land values, auction results, and article on storing data in the cloud.
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Essentials06.04.20Essentials Issue 03, 2020This issue includes news about FCI lobbies reopening, a weather outlook update from Eric Snodgrass, information on Financial Relief Resources available due to impact of Covid-19 and more.
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Essentials04.08.20Essentials Issue 02, 2020
This issue includes: a message from President/CEO Aaron Johnson, 2020 ag scholar and community grant recipients are announced, Dr. Kohl interviews FreshRoots panel, meet the newest board member, a listing of crop insurance reminders, an article about making the move to the country and sign up for one of our text clubs and win a chance to donate money to your community during Covid-19.
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Essentials02.07.20Essentials Issue 01, 2020In this issue, you’ll learn about upcoming Farm Credit College workshops, 2020 Directors Cup applications announcement, Weather Update from Eric Snodgrass, reminder about scholarship and community improvement grant deadlines, land auction results and upcoming auction listings.
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Field Goals01.18.21Field Goals - Winter 2021In this issue learn how to maximize your crop insurance coverage with supplemental options like Enhanced Coverage Option. Several FCI agents will give actual on-farm scenarios to explain how each one works.
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Field Goals08.07.20Field Goals Summer 2020
As you prepare for harvest, make note of these items on a pre-harvest policy inspection, and learn more about the fall policies that can offer you additional protection.
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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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Insights12.09.19Mindset: 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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Insights08.06.19What are Phishing Emails?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.
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Insights04.01.19A Dovish Stance - No More Rate Hikes in 2019What does the announcement indicating no expected rate hikes for 2019 reflect about the Fed’s balance sheet and the U.S. and global economies?
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Insights04.01.19The Short and Long-term Views from the RoadHow little changes or increased focus can increase a producer's chance of success in today's farm economy.
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Insights03.28.19Wet Weather Have You in a Holding Pattern?Don't forget these crop insurance details this spring.
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News04.07.21Finding Your Phoenix
Dr. David Kohl examines 4 P strategies and tactics that may prove useful in the regenerative state of your business and help you find your phoenix.
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News04.07.21Illinois Students Receive $58,000 of Scholarships
Farm Credit Illinois named 29 high school seniors as agriculture scholarship recipients in central and southern Illinois.
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News04.07.21Illinois Youth Groups Receive $25,000 of Grants
Farm Credit Illinois awarded 50 community improvement grants to FFA chapters and 4-H clubs in central and southern Illinois.
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News03.31.21A Simpler Way to Escape - Own A Piece of the County
Finding a loan to get closer to what matters shouldn't be complicated. Rural 1st® country life lending streamlines the process and keeps it simple.
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News02.26.21Connecting Consumers With Their Food
2020 Directors Cup honorees, Jill and Chad Vonder Haar, are passionate about connecting people with food through an on-farm store, local restaurants, and farmers markets.
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News02.25.21Striving for Balance On and Off the Farm
Balancing work and family life is important to 2020 Directors Cup honorees Andy and Monica Schumacher, who farm cattle and grain in Cumberland County. The couple began farming with Andy’s family in 2009 and took over farm ownership following Andy’s father’s retirement in December 2020.
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News02.22.21Setting Goals Key to Planning for the Future
Learn how 2020 Directors Cup recipients Matthew and Melanie Schmitz both grew up on a family farm and have been strategically planning for the future of their own operation by building good partnerships.
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News02.18.21Empowered Next GenerationLearning from older generations while being open to new ideas has provided a successful foundation for fourth generation grain and cattle farmer, Alex Head, 31, of Macon County.
