Financial cooperative contributes to building renovation, inks sports sponsorship

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 20, 2019) – Farm Credit Mid-America is deepening engagement with and support for Purdue University through a blend of customer engagement, agricultural connection and advertising. Purdue is a national leader in teaching about agriculture, food, life and natural resource sciences.

The financial services cooperative is contributing $550,000 over five years toward renovation of the school’s Krannert Building. Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics and College of Agriculture is creating a best in class learning space to enhance the department's ability to recruit, retain and educate students interested in agricultural economics.

“We are excited to support this project,” said Bill Johnson, Farm Credit Mid-America president and chief executive officer. “Purdue is a valued partner. From helping found the Center for Commercial Ag, to investing in the Ag and Life Sciences building, to our ongoing commitments with scholarships, we’re pleased to be part of creating this transformational learning and advising space.”

In recognition for the support, Purdue will rename the area “Farm Credit and Co-Bank Undergraduate Advising Center and Collaborative Workspace in Agricultural Economics.”

In addition to the capital contribution, Farm Credit Mid-America also is signing a sponsorship agreement with Purdue University Athletics that includes customer engagement opportunities and brand advertising, as well as sponsor opportunity during the school’s Ag Day recognition Nov. 2, when the Boilermakers face off against rival Nebraska.

“These co-joined efforts – advertising, deeper connections with the Ag program and providing loyal Purdue fans on-field and pre-game experiences – give us greater visibility to the professors, Ag leaders and students who walk those halls every day,” said Johnson.

“These are just two exciting new ways we are helping to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture.”

Farm Credit Mid-America has a similar customer engagement and brand advertising sponsorship with the Ohio State University, connecting customers to athletics their passionate about and to agriculture education and policy leaders. 

The investments directly aim to help fill a critical gap. A recent report prepared by Purdue and the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated there to be about 58,000 average annual openings for graduates with bachelor's or higher degrees in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, or the environment, with almost half projected to be in the areas of management and business.  Unfortunately, only about 34,000 students are graduating each year with training in these areas.

Johnson said he sees the commitment to Purdue as a meaningful way to support new and innovative ways to ensure the health and vibrancy of rural America, to mold the next generation of agricultural leaders and encourage and empower students to make a difference, wherever their careers take them, as they tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues.