The success of next-generation educational programming offered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service continues to be enhanced by community support from Capital Farm Credit.
The company, which has provided agriculture producers and rural communities with financial services since 1916, is invested in Texans’ success and aligns with AgriLife Extension’s goal to provide positive impacts across the state. Through regular program support and community-based giving, the collaboration continues to strengthen rural communities, expand youth opportunities and sustain the state’s agricultural future.
“Agriculture finds a way to bring us all together,” said Jeff Norte, CEO, Capital Farm Credit. “Sustaining the future of agriculture and rural communities has been our mission for more than a century and one that is heavily impacted by the next generation of agriculturists. Capital Farm Credit’s partnership strengthens the foundation of our shared future.”
Key program support
Capital Farm Credit contributions have fueled the success of AgriLife Extension programs such as Texas 4-H and the Texas 4-H Ambassador Program, the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program and Battleground to Breaking Ground, which helps veterans establish careers in agriculture.
“AgriLife Extension is always seeking new ways to expand the reach and relevance of our programs,” said Rick Avery, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension director. “Support from Capital Farm Credit helps amplify those efforts and extend the benefits of our educational outreach mission to even more Texans.”
Heather Bush, Capital Farm Credit senior vice president of marketing and communications, said the company’s mission aligns with AgriLife Extension’s education outreach to youth, urban and rural audiences.
“We are proud to support key educational programming across Texas,” she said. “We are always looking for new opportunities to inspire the next generation farmer and rancher and continue their legacies.”
Bush said Capital Farm Credit over the last three years has made a “concerted effort” to its giving strategy, identifying needs at the local level and ways to increase financial support. She points out that the giving strategy works hand-in-hand with their AgriRoots program.
“We are making decisions at the county level to best support the customer,” she said. “We continue to evolve our strategy to better meet their needs and give more wisely so we can give more. We have a heart for service and support through education, outreach and financial solutions to youth and helping the beginning farmer and rancher sector … we want to find a way to support where there’s a need. We call it AgriRoots, you call it AgriLife; we all call it ag.”
Supporting veterans through the Beef Cattle Short Course
For more than 20 years, Capital Credit Farm Credit has been the premier sponsor of the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course and the annual veterans’ breakfast. The short course is one of the largest cattle producer education events in the nation.
“The veteran’s breakfast allows us to honor those who have served while connecting them to the educational offering we have at the Beef Cattle Short Course,” said Jason Cleere, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist and short course coordinator. “It is a meaningful way to pay tribute and connect them to a keynote speaker with military emphasis providing insight on success in agriculture.”
Capital Farm Credit has 63 offices across the state, all with lenders who want to support their county and community.
“We have a collective effort,” Bush said. “What we do reaches all of Texas, but at the same time, we reach the local level to support youth or producers through education and outreach. Our team is on the ground to hear what is working well in the field for customers, what their struggles are, and the overall pulse of crop conditions.”
Advancing financial literacy through ‘It’s Your Money’
Angela McCorkle, coordinator of AgriLife Extension’s “It’s Your Money” program, said Capital Farm Credit’s support of the program has helped prepare high school students statewide with financial literacy. More than 4,656 students have taken part in the program, learning budgeting, savings and real-world money management through classroom lessons and financial simulations.
“Capital Farm Credit’s support has helped improve the quality and expanded the reach of the program,” McCorkle said. “Together, we want to make these kids financially savvy.”
Inspiring future agricultural leaders through Borlaug Youth Ambassadors
Since 2023, Capital Farm Credit has offered 24 educational grants per year to support youth in the Borlaug Youth in Agriculture program, which engages high school students in agricultural problem-solving and leadership development.
“The program support is not just programmatic dollars, it’s a true partnership,” said Billy Zanolini, Ph.D., associate professor and AgriLife Extension specialist, Texas 4-H Youth Livestock and Agriculture. “Capital Farm Credit professionals work alongside our youth, showing them a career in agriculture is both possible and impactful.”
Norte said Capital Farm Credit’s support not only supports the next generation of agriculturalists, but “empowers them to solve challenges facing global food and fiber production.”
Giving back through community-based investment
Norte said Capital Farm Credit wants locals to work with its lenders who are empowered to support their county and community.
“Capital Farm Credit’s partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife and Texas 4-H allows us to support programs like the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program, 4-H Ambassadors, and Battleground to Breaking Ground, to strengthen the foundation of our shared future,” Norte said. “By investing in youth development and those new to agriculture, we’re not just supporting the next generation — we’re empowering them to solve the challenges facing global food and fiber production. Together, we will continue to reach new milestones by giving back to the people that continue to give to the world.”
