Standing Strong for Rural America: Farm Credit of Southern Colorado Heads to Washington for the 2025 Fly-In

Farm Credit leaders, employees, and customer-owners from across the country are preparing to gather in Washington, D.C. to speak with one voice on behalf of rural communities, agriculture, and cooperatives across the country. The 2025 Farm Credit Fly-In, hosted in partnership with CoBank and the broader Farm Credit System, is more than a meeting—it’s a powerful opportunity to ensure that the voices of farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses are heard at the highest levels of government.

For Farm Credit of Southern Colorado (FCSC), the Fly-In represents our unwavering commitment to advocacy and partnership with our customer-owners. Our mission has always been to support the people who feed the world—and that starts with ensuring they have fair access to credit, reliable rural infrastructure, and a voice in shaping the policies that affect their livelihoods.

Championing the Farm Credit Mission

The Farm Credit System was created by Congress more than a century ago to provide reliable credit to rural America. Today, that mission remains just as vital. In an era of global uncertainty, shifting markets, and increasing input costs, farmers and ranchers rely on consistent, mission-driven financing to stay resilient and competitive.

At the 2025 Fly-In this November, Farm Credit leaders and customer-owners will meet directly with members of Congress and key policymakers to share firsthand stories of impact—stories of how access to credit has helped family farms expand, young producers start their businesses, and rural communities invest in essential infrastructure like broadband and energy.

“The Fly-In is both an exciting and critical opportunity for customer-owners to share their stories with their elected officials in Washington,” explained Lauren Sturgeon, Vice President of Government Affairs at CoBank. “As producers move into a more difficult agricultural economy, advocating for a strong and modernized Farm Bill at the federal level is so important, it is most impactful when it comes from the voices of constituents.”

These conversations help policymakers understand that when agriculture succeeds, America succeeds. Supporting the Farm Credit System means supporting the backbone of our rural economy and the communities that depend on it.

The Power of Customer-Owner Advocacy

What makes Farm Credit unique is our cooperative structure. Our borrowers are also our owners—local producers and agribusinesses who know their operations, their challenges, and their opportunities best.

“When our customer-owners join us in Washington, they’re not lobbying for a corporation; they’re advocating for their families, their communities, and their way of life,” explained Sturgeon. “By bringing real-world experience to Capitol Hill, they make the Farm Credit story tangible. They remind decision-makers that rural America’s strength depends on reliable access to credit and a healthy, cooperative lending system.”

FCSC’s Role in the Future of Rural Finance

As part of the Farm Credit System, FCSC plays a vital role in ensuring that Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses have the financial tools they need to thrive. But advocacy isn’t limited to Washington—it starts right here at home. We’re continually engaging with our customers and partners to understand their needs, invest in our communities, and support the next generation of producers.

“The value of advocacy at a local, grassroots level cannot be understated,” said Sturgeon. “Elected officials in Washington and their teams rely on the voices back home from those who are intimately aware of issues their constituents are facing. This engagement helps to inform positions on key pieces of legislation, like the Farm Bill.”

The 2025 Fly-In is our opportunity to bring those local insights to the national stage. It’s a chance to reinforce the importance of sound agricultural policy and remind policymakers that the success of rural America depends on strong, mission-driven institutions like Farm Credit.

FCSC’s Role in the Future of Rural Finance

As we prepare to head to Washington, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our peers, our customer-owners, and our partners at CoBank. Together, we’ll continue to advocate for policies that protect and strengthen the Farm Credit System—because when we invest in agriculture, we invest in the future of America.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or investment advice. Any information contained in this post is subject to change without notice and should not be relied upon without seeking the advice of a qualified professional. The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of our Association. The author and Association are not responsible for any errors or omissions and are not liable for any losses or damages arising from the use of the information contained in this post.