FCS contributes to program designed to assist farmers with disabilities
Valparaiso, Ind. – December 17, 2007 – Almost 30 years ago, a disabled farmer contacted Purdue University and requested assistance on modifying his tractor to enable him to continue farming. This phone call eventually led to the establishment of the Breaking New Ground Resource Center, a program which promotes independence in ag production to those farmers with disabilities.
At a regional Financial Services Meeting on December 12, thirty-five Farm Credit Services of Mid-America staff from counties serving northwest Indiana presented the administrators of the Breaking New Ground program with an $8,300 donation. “Now more than ever, programs like this are important for our farming community,” said Alan Goings, financial services officer from Valparaiso. In fact, according to Breaking New Ground, one out of nine Indiana farm families will experience a farm related injury this year and about 19% of active farm operations are not longer able to perform essential tasks due to a disability.
“Agriculture production is ranked as one of the most hazardous occupations in the nation and farmers with disabilities face many barriers whether it’s adapting tools, farm equipment or buildings so they can continue their way of life, or getting the educational resources they need to ensure that their farm operation will continue even though faced with a disability,” said Goings.
The $8,300 donation represents Farm Credit’s commitment to allocate stewardship dollars to programs that focus and encourage teamwork in rural America’s youth and rural communities. Farm Credit Services, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, gives back to local communities through its FCS Support for Agriculture Stewardship Program implemented this year with the endorsement of the cooperative board’s 18 members. The program targets funds to agricultural projects and educational initiatives, giving priority to youth and young farmers.
“Our Farm Credit team in northwest Indiana put our heads together to determine the best way to use our area’s stewardship funds. We could think of no better use of the funds our Board of Directors entrusted to us than to support a program that obviously offers so many benefits to those who are in need,” said Goings.
Caption
Farm Credit Services of Mid-America donated $8,300 to Breaking New Ground, a program designed to assist farmers with disabilities. Pictured are Farm Credit staff Craig Blume and Alan Goings with Breaking New Ground Program Manager Paul Jones and Breaking New Ground Project Leader Professor William Field.
About FCS:
Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $13 billion financial services cooperative serving over 81,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association, which celebrated its 90th anniversary serving rural America in 2006, provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating, equipment and housing and related services such as crop and life insurance and vehicle, equipment and building leases.