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Stay Informed. View the Latest News and Events
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Essentials04.07.22Essentials - Issue 2, 2022
In this issue Dr. Kohl with FreshRoots reflections, Interest Rate discussion with Brownfield Ag News, FCI Scholarship & Community Grant recipients announced, and Rural 1st® testimonial.
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Insights04.05.22FreshRoots Reflections
Dr. Kohl reflects on some of the major takeaways from FCI’s FreshRoots program meetings. Review the key lessons young and beginning farmers learned during these meetings – from managing economic hardships to making challenging, but valuable, operation changes.
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News04.04.22Illinois Students Receive $60,000 of Scholarships
Farm Credit Illinois named 30 high school seniors as agriculture scholarship recipients in central and southern Illinois.
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Cultivations03.14.22Cultivations Pre-Plant 2022
In this issue, read a message from the CEO discussing tomorrow’s uncertainties, Director elections, FreshRoots Directors Cup details, and commentary from Dr. David Kohl.
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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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Essentials04.07.22Essentials - Issue 2, 2022
In this issue Dr. Kohl with FreshRoots reflections, Interest Rate discussion with Brownfield Ag News, FCI Scholarship & Community Grant recipients announced, and Rural 1st® testimonial.
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Essentials02.07.22Essentials Issue 1, 2022Trends in FCI’s territory indicate increased sales for larger sums, according to FCI's appraisal team. Find out more information on recent farmland auctions reported since the last results were published in July 2021. Additionally, land sales results reported from various farm real estate auctions held in the past six months throughout the Farm Credit Illinois geographical area.
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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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Insights04.05.22FreshRoots Reflections
Dr. Kohl reflects on some of the major takeaways from FCI’s FreshRoots program meetings. Review the key lessons young and beginning farmers learned during these meetings – from managing economic hardships to making challenging, but valuable, operation changes.
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Insights03.14.22Beginning Farmers Start Smart with Financing that Fits
Buying a farm can be challenging – especially as a beginning farmer. Overcome some of the barriers to purchasing your first piece of farm ground with tailored financing programs.
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Insights02.01.22The 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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Insights12.03.21Protect 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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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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News04.04.22Illinois Students Receive $60,000 of Scholarships
Farm Credit Illinois named 30 high school seniors as agriculture scholarship recipients in central and southern Illinois.
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News04.04.22Youth Groups Receive Community Improvement GrantsFarm Credit Illinois awarded 50 community improvement grants to FFA chapters and 4-H clubs in central and southern Illinois.
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News02.08.22Meeting Demand Through Entrepreneurship
2021 Directors Cup honoree Austin Ellison of St. Clair County goes above and beyond row crop farming, while also owning and operating two successful businesses.
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News02.08.22A Skipped Generation Farmer
2021 Directors Cup honoree Mitchell Hinds of Macon County, a skip generation farmer, became the sole owner and operator of his grandfather’s operation.
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News02.08.22Bringing Efficiency and Sustainability to the Farm
2021 Directors Cup honoree Elliott Uphoff of Shelby County brings efficiency to his operation through sustainable agriculture practices.
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News02.08.22Finding Your Role on the Farm
2021 Directors Cup honorees Lydia and Adam Holste of Effingham County balance their on-farm roles with raising the next generation.
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News02.08.22Lessons Learned as a Teenaged Tenant Farmer
2021 Directors Cup honoree Jacob Strohbeck of Madison County who rented his first acres as a teenager and has since become heavily involved in his community.
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News02.08.22Using Data to Drive Farm Innovation
2021 Directors Cup honoree Michael Yoder of Moultrie County uses data capturing technology to make on-farm management decisions.