Applications open for American AgCredit’s Rural Roots Endowment

LAS CRUCES, N.M., (Jan. 21, 2025) – Agriculture lender American AgCredit, a member of the Farm Credit System, has opened up applications to their Rural Roots Endowment program.

Launched in 2023 after the merger between Farm Credit of New Mexico and American AgCredit, the newly formed association funded a $10 million endowment focused on investing in the long-term viability, sustainability, and profitability of agriculture in New Mexico.

In 2024, American AgCredit awarded grants to 23 New Mexico agriculture-related organizations totaling $204,000.
“The Rural Roots Endowment is focused on the future—a commitment to supporting farmers, ranchers, and our neighbors who live and work in rural America,” said Dr. Terra V. Winter, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico—who is partnering with American AgCredit to manage the endowment. “It will support New Mexico agriculture’s success well into the future.”

Apply at https://www.communityfoundationofsouthernnewmexico.org/rural-roots/

What organizations qualify for the endowment?

American AgCredit designed the endowment to provide grants and direct funds to New Mexico agricultural organizations such as:

1. New Mexico youth organizations (FFA, 4-H, junior livestock, scholarships, etc.)
2. Underserved populations of producers within New Mexico (support that goes to groups of producers that may be traditionally underserved minority populations)
3. Direct producer support in New Mexico (grants and direct funds to producers’ start-up, economic development, and/or conservation)
4. Protecting New Mexico agriculture (giving to organizations working to protect the rights of ag producers)
5. Fighting hunger in New Mexico (support to groups that support feeding New Mexico, such as food banks).
6. New Mexico producer education (for items such a regenerative farming practices, organic, all-natural, local, or other programs that may assist producers to create further value for their operations)
7. Ag education in New Mexico (support for groups that educate the general population about agriculture, such as ag in the classroom, pumpkin patches, etc.)

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ABOUT AMERICAN AGCREDIT 

American AgCredit was chartered in 1916 as part of the nationwide Farm Credit System and is the nation’s fifth-largest Farm Credit association. American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada, and Oklahoma, and serves capital market customers throughout the United States. 

American AgCredit’s financial services include production and mortgage financing, equipment and vehicle leasing, crop and life insurance, lines of credit, and the Young, Beginning and Small Farmer Program. American AgCredit also provides interest-free loans for qualifying 4-H, FFA and AgYouth programs, and college scholarships to students interested in agriculture. Learn more at AgLoan.com. 

For more information:
Chris Carter, Media Relations, American AgCredit, media@agloan.com, (804) 314-4841