The co-op way

Environmental sustainability

Farmers and ranchers are some of the foremost stewards of the land. They continually adapt to changing weather conditions, adopt new technologies and pursue sustainable practices, such as soil conservation and smart irrigation.

People

We’re committed to providing dependable funding for rural communities and infrastructure. Farm Credit works to strengthen rural communities’ access to reliable water, power, health care and telecommunications services to help build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

We also foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce at all levels. In 2020, we named the first female CEO in the co-op’s history. Our executive leadership team is represented by 43% females and 43% diverse leaders. The bank also attracts and develops a diverse group of talented professionals through competitive pay and benefits, professional development opportunities and other assistance.

Governance

We’re owned by our customers, who have a voice in making decisions that benefit their communities. As part of the Farm Credit System, the bank maintains a strong standards of conduct program that promotes ethical behavior. As a government-sponsored enterprise regulated by the Farm Credit Administration, the bank also maintains highly transparent and consistent financial reporting programs. We participate in Systemwide workgroups for risk and fraud management, accounting, cybersecurity and other fields that promote accountability and regulatory compliance.

National support

With other Farm Credit banks, we co-hosted a Virtual Farm Credit System Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Summit in February 2022. In addition, we contributed to Farm Credit’s national contributions program, which supports a range of agriculturally-based initiatives across the nation.

Local support

Farm Credit Bank of Texas is deeply committed to service. Every act of giving makes a difference. To support employees’ personal passions, we match the first $250 of employee donations to qualified nonprofits. Our employees in action in 2022:

• Bank volunteers distributed free seeds, plants, fertilizer and compost to members of Sustainable Food Center of Austin’s Spread the Harvest program.
• Our employees donated 12,212 meals through a holiday food drive for Central Texas Food Bank.
• Staffers volunteered at the Central Texas Food Bank, packaging 3,300 pounds of food and providing the equivalent of 2,750 meals.
• Employees volunteered at the Festival Beach Food Forest, planting dozens of leafy greens for harvest in a few months. It’s an “edible forest” in downtown Austin that anyone may visit to harvest in-season produce.

Regional support

As a cooperative, we joined with other Farm Credit entities to meet community needs in other ways, too. In 2022:

• With AgFirst, CoBank and Farmer Mac, donated $325,000 to the American Red Cross for hurricanes Fiona and Ian relief efforts. The hurricanes heavily affected farms, livestock and fall crops in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and Puerto Rico.
• Joined CoBank and seven associations in our district to pledge a combined $162,500 to support Texas wildfire relief.
• Awarded $25,000 in scholarships to Texas A&M International University in Laredo through our Academy of Honor program in the name of former board member Betty Flores.
• Contributed $20,000 to the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at St. Edward’s University in Austin.
• Joined Farm Credit entities both inside and outside the district in providing support for relief efforts following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.