Mechanicsburg, PA — Horizon Farm Credit welcomed members of the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council to its headquarters on Wednesday, June 17 for an interactive and educational visit designed to introduce students to careers in agriculture, financial services, and entrepreneurship.

The visit offered participants an overview of Farm Credit and its cooperative structure, highlighting how the Association supports farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities. Students also learned about Farm Credit’s resources for young, beginning, and small (YBS) farmers, including scholarship and internship opportunities available to those pursuing careers in the agriculture industry.

“Providing opportunities like this helps students see the wide range of career paths available within agriculture,” said Johanna Rohrer, Member Education & YBS Program Officer at Horizon Farm Credit. “By combining financial education, hands-on learning, and meaningful connections, we’re helping prepare these young leaders for future success in the industry.”

Throughout the afternoon, students engaged directly with Farm Credit team members and participated in collaborative activities designed to strengthen leadership, communication, and business skills. A networking lunch and group discussions provided additional opportunities for students to connect with peers and professionals in the agricultural industry.  

A highlight of the visit was an interactive entrepreneurship exercise titled “The Goat Whisperer of Maple Farm.” During this session, students worked in teams to develop and present their own agricultural business concepts, exploring key principles including product development, cost analysis, and marketing strategy. The activity encouraged critical thinking, creativity, and real-world application of business fundamentals.  

The visit reflects Farm Credit’s ongoing commitment to investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders by supporting youth organizations like 4-H and providing access to valuable educational experiences that build career readiness and industry awareness.

The visit underscores Farm Credit’s commitment to building connections with agricultural youth organizations and supporting the next generation of industry leaders. By partnering with programs like 4-H, the Association continues to foster meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity, confidence, and long-term success in agriculture.

Mount Joy, PA — On June 3, 2026, local first responders with Robert Fulton Fire Company were awarded a grain rescue tube and specialized training from Horizon Farm Credit through Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign. The resources will be used to help protect against grain entrapments, which result in dozens of deaths across rural America.

Every year, thousands of farmers and commercial grain handlers risk their lives by entering grain bins to remove clumped or rotted grain. As rural communities have come to know all too well, the risks of entering grain bins continue to be overlooked.

“It only takes seconds, or a simple mistake, for an adult to sink in the quicksand-like flow of grain and become fully entrapped or engulfed,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Adding to the risk is a lack of rescue equipment available to local fire departments and emergency responders who are called for help when a worker becomes trapped."

To help lead the fight against these accidents impacting agricultural communities, Nationwide began its Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014 to bring awareness to the hazards of entering grain structures and to equip fire departments with the resources needed to respond effectively.

Robert Fulton Fire Company, located in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, is one of more than 452 fire departments across 35 states to receive these resources and benefit from the program since its inception.

"At Farm Credit, supporting the safety and resiliency of our rural communities is central to our mission," said Raechel Sattazahn, Director of Government, Industry, & Member Relations at Horizon Farm Credit. "Grain bin incidents remain a serious risk in agriculture, and providing first responders with the right tools and training can mean the difference between life and tragedy. We’re proud to partner with Nationwide to help equip departments like Robert Fulton Fire Company with the resources they need to protect the communities they serve.”

The grain rescue tube delivery and training was conducted by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) and included simulations of entrapments and rescues using a state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulator, which is loaded on a trailer and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain.

Since 2014, at least 17 successful rescues have utilized these tools and resources.

“With long-standing roots in agriculture, we’re thankful for the work America’s farmers do and for the contributions of our valuable partners who help us make a difference with this campaign in rural communities,” said Liggett.

To learn more or view grain bin safety resources, visit www.thinkgrainbinsafety.com. 

About Horizon Farm Credit  
Horizon Farm Credit is a member-owned agricultural lending cooperative, providing consistent and reliable financing and related services to full- and part-time farmers, agricultural-related businesses, and rural landowners. The Association serves 100 counties across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Association has more than 21,000 members and over $7.9 billion in loans outstanding. Learn more at horizonfc.com.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance.  For more information about Nationwide and Nationwide’s ratings, visit www.nationwide.com or Company Ratings -- Nationwide.

Mechanicsburg, PA — Farm Credit is proud to announce the launch of its Young, Beginning, and Small Farmer Grant Program, a new initiative designed to invest in the future of agriculture by empowering emerging farmers and strengthening rural communities. The program will award ten $20,000 grants to eligible farmers, providing critical funding for on-farm improvements, innovation, and business growth. 

“We work with farmers every day, and we see what it takes to get started and keep going,” said Johanna Rohrer, Horizon Farm Credit Member Education & YBS Program Officer. “We’re proud to support young, beginning, and small farmers with opportunities like this, especially when we know those investments can make a real difference in helping their operations move forward.” 

The Young, Beginning, and Small Farmer Grant Program reflects Farm Credit’s deep commitment as a cooperative to support agriculture at every stage. Whether farmers are launching a new operation, growing their business, or adapting to new challenges, young, beginning, and small farmers play a critical role in ensuring the long-term strength of the industry. 

To apply, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Young Farmers: Between 18-35 years of age, or 
• Beginning Farmers: 10 years or less of reported Schedule F income, or 
• Small Farmers: Less than $350,000 in annual gross cash farm income 

Applicants must live within Horizon Farm Credit's territory, may apply individually or with a co-applicant, and may farm full-time or part-time. Applicants do not need to be a Farm Credit customer to apply. 

The deadline to submit an application is August 21, 2026 at 4 p.m. 

For more information and to apply, visit horizonfc.com/ybs. Contact learning@horizonfc.com or give a member of our team a call at 888.339.3334 with questions about this program or the application. 

Mechanicsburg, PA — Colonial Farm Credit, Farm Credit of the Virginias and Horizon Farm Credit – the Farm Credit Associations serving Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland – made a recent collaborative donation totaling $17,500 to the State FFA Associations for Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland in honor of Give FFA Day, taking place on February 26, 2026 during National FFA Week.

National FFA Week (February 21-28, 2026) serves as a dedicated period to amplify the organization’s impact in developing future leaders and advancing agricultural education on a national level. Give FFA Day is a 24-hour fundraising endeavor that takes place annually during FFA Week to support the next generation of agricultural leaders. Colonial Farm Credit, Farm Credit of the Virginias and Horizon Farm Credit are thrilled to provide this joint donation during Give FFA Day to help advance the efforts of Virginia FFA, West Virginia FFA and Maryland FFA. The three Farm Credit Associations recognize the importance of FFA in their communities and are pleased to sponsor and attend local FFA programs and events throughout the year, as well.

Paul Franklin, CEO of Colonial Farm Credit, shared, “It’s an honor to support FFA and its mission to develop leaders in agriculture. FFA is ‘near and dear’ to my heart, having served as a chapter officer, and competed in public speaking, parliamentary procedure, and crops judging. The skills, leadership, and relationships fostered by FFA ensure that our rural communities have a sustainable and thriving future.”

“FFA is an organization that is incredibly special to many of us here at Farm Credit of the Virginias. Many of our team members, including myself, have fond memories of wearing the blue jacket and competing in various FFA contests, so we are proud to be able to support the dedication of this organization to developing the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Pete Cypret, CEO of Farm Credit of the Virginias.

“Supporting the next generation of agriculturalists is core to the Farm Credit mission,” said Tom Truitt, CEO of Horizon Farm Credit. “FFA continues to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and hands‑on experiences they need to strengthen the future of agriculture in our region and beyond. We’re proud to partner with fellow Farm Credit Associations by investing in the students who will lead our industry forward.”

About National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,407 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

About Colonial Farm Credit

Mechanicsburg, PA — Horizon Farm Credit, a member-owned cooperative and part of the national Farm Credit System, recently reported strong financial results in its 2025 annual report.

The Association’s accruing loan volume grew to over $7.7 billion, an increase of approximately 6.9% compared to over $7.2 billion at the end of 2024. Net interest income for 2025 was $206.8 million, an increase of 5.8% compared to $195.4 million for 2024. Net income decreased to $121.6 million, a 7.7% decrease compared to $131.8 million in 2024. The unfavorable impact of 2025 net income is principally related to an increased provision for credit losses and increased expenses related to technological investments and servicing. Credit quality continues to remain strong with acceptable credit quality at 94.6% for the end of 2025.  

“Our results this year reflect the strength, resilience, and perseverance of the farmers and rural communities we serve,” said Tom Truitt, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Farm Credit. “Keeping our mission top of mind, we’re proud to continue building a strong and dependable foundation for agriculture to rely on, especially in challenging economic conditions.”

Members’ equity as of December 31, 2025, totaled $1.32 billion, an increase of 4.8%, compared to $1.26 billion in 2024. This strong equity position allows the Association to finance members’ growth even during industry challenges. In 2026, Horizon Farm Credit will be distributing $62.1 million of its 2025 earnings in cash patronage directly to its member-borrowers.

“As a cooperative, reinvesting in our members through patronage is how we share success and support the people and communities who work to carry agriculture forward for generations to come,” said Truitt. “Serving the people behind agriculture is a responsibility we’re proud to carry, and returning profits back to our members is one of the many ways we ensure the vibrancy of agriculture.”

For more information about the 2025 financial results and to view the Association’s 2025 Annual Report, visit horizonfc.com/about/financials.

Horizon Farm Credit has announced its 2026 first quarter financial results. Net accruing loan volume for the first three months of 2026 was $7.9 billion, an increase of 7.9% compared to the same 2025 period. Net interest income for the first quarter of 2026 was $54.3 million, a 7.4% increase from the same time period in 2025.

Net income for the quarter was $35.5 million, a 17.6% increase compared to the first quarter of 2025. The favorable impact of the 2026 first quarter results is principally related to loan volume growth across the entire portfolio.

“Strong first-quarter results like these are driven by the determination and resilience of our memberborrowers,” said Tom Truitt, Horizon Farm Credit Chief Executive Officer. “As a member-owned cooperative, their success shapes our purpose and reinforces our mission to support agriculture by providing dependable and long-term access to capital.”

Members’ equity at March 31, 2026, totaled $1.4 billion, up 2.4% from December 31, 2025. The increase in members' equity was primarily driven by current year's net income.

Total Regulatory Capital Ratio was 14.33% as compared with the 10.5% minimum mandated by the Farm Credit Administration, the Association’s independent regulator. The Association recorded patronage distribution of $62.1 million to its member-borrowers in the first quarter of 2026. The member-borrowers received their patronage distribution in April 2026.

For more information about the financial results and Horizon Farm Credit, visit horizonfc.com. 

Mechanicsburg, PA — Horizon Farm Credit is distributing $62.5 million in cash to its members this spring through its patronage program, reflecting the cooperative’s strong financial performance and continued commitment to the membership it serves.

“This distribution underscores the Farm Credit cooperative model and long-standing focus on reinvesting earnings back into our membership and local communities,” says Tom Truitt, Horizon Farm Credit Chief Executive Officer. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do, and sharing our success with them is one of the most important ways we fulfill our mission.”

Horizon Farm Credit is a part of the national Farm Credit System. Each Association determines its patronage payout, which is based upon its total income, expenses, market conditions, and the Association’s bylaws. All patronage distributions are at the discretion of the Board of Directors, whose objectives are to ensure financial stability, fund future growth, and maximize returns to members.

“Returning over $62 million in patronage is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to our members and the agriculture industry,” says Brian Rosati, Horizon Farm Credit Chief Financial Officer. “We are proud of our Association’s unwavering dedication to supporting those we serve.”

To learn more about Farm Credit’s patronage program, please visit horizonfc.com/patronage.

Horizon Farm Credit and Maryland Farm Bureau recently hosted members of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and University of Maryland chapters of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) for an immersive educational and networking experience at the Maryland Farm Bureau headquarters on Friday, May 1, 2026.

The visit introduced students to career pathways in agriculture and agribusiness while strengthening relationships between students and industry professionals. Highlights of the visit included career exploration discussions and a beginning farmer panel, which featured real-world insights into launching and sustaining an agricultural career. Students also participated in an interactive agricultural entrepreneurship workshop that challenged them to think critically about farm business decision-making, problem solving, and innovation.

"Experiences like this give students the opportunity to connect what they're learning in the classroom to real-world careers in agriculture," said Johanna Rohrer, Member Education & YBS Program Officer at Horizon Farm Credit. "Building financial awareness, expanding professional networks, and engaging directly with industry leaders are critical steps in preparing students for long-term success. Seeing their curiosity and engagement throughout the day was incredibly rewarding, and we're proud to support and invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders."

"We were very happy to work with Horizon Farm Credit to make this event happen. Programs like this give students a better understanding of the possible career paths in the agricultural industry," said Katie Walker, Operations Coordinator at Maryland Farm Bureau. "These students' passion and ambition give me confidence that the future of Maryland agriculture is in good hands."

The event reflected a shared commitment Horizon Farm Credit and the Maryland Farm Bureau to invest in the next generation of agricultural professional by fostering leadership development, industry understanding, and career readiness.