Farmer-owned cooperative continues patronage program this spring, returning a total $280 million in net earnings to eligible customers  

Press Release

Louisville, Ky. (March 2026) – At a time when farmers continue to navigate tight margins, elevated input costs and ongoing market uncertainty, Farm Credit Mid-America will return $280 million in net earnings to eligible customer-owners this March through its patronage program, with $63 million returning to Ohio farmers.

This month, local farmers in Mercer County are receiving more than $6.5 million back from Farm Credit Mid-America as part of our annual patronage distribution.

Customers commonly use patronage payments to:

▪ Pay down operating or term debt

▪ Offset spring input and planting costs

▪ Reinvest in equipment, land or on-farm improvements

▪ Strengthen working capital and financial resilience

This year’s distribution brings the total amount of net earnings returned to customers over the past 10 years to more than $1.75 billion, underscoring the strength of Farm Credit Mid-America’sdiverse portfolio and commitment to support farmers through both good and challenging times. 

Melanie Strait-Bok, Farm Credit Mid-America senior vice president of agricultural lending in Ohio

“Returning capital to our customers is just part of how we do business as a cooperative.Our customers manage risk every day. Patronage gives them a little extra flexibility, whether that’s strengthening their balance sheet, improving cash flow or helping them plan for the season ahead.”

Farm Credit Mid-America is a farmer-owned cooperative, meaning customers are also owners. Through patronage, a portion of the cooperative’s earnings is returned to eligiblecustomer-owners based on the level of eligible business they conduct with the Association. Patronage is an annual decision made by Farm Credit Mid-America’s board of directors. 

Tara Durbin, chief lending officer of agriculture at Farm Credit Mid-America

“Over the last decade, we’ve returned more than $1.75 billion directly to the people who make agriculture work. A portion of that capital stays in Indiana where it supports farms, families and rural communities, which is exactly what our cooperative system was designed to do.”

Farm Credit Mid-America serves agricultural producers, rural homeowners and agribusinesses across Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. In addition to patronage, the cooperative invests roughly $5 million annually in rural communities through education, leadership development, youth programs and support for the next generation of agriculture.

To learn more about Farm Credit Mid-America’s patronage program, eligibility requirements and customer-owner experiences, visit fcma.com/patronage.

# # #

About Farm Credit Mid-America

A proud member of the Farm Credit System, Farm Credit Mid-America is securing the future of rural communities and agriculture® as a leading provider of reliable, consistent credit and financial services to farmers, producers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. The customer-owned cooperative serves more than 145,000 customers and manages a portfolio of $44.1 billion in total earning assets owned and managed. Farm Credit Mid-America’s products and services include loans for real estate, operating, equipment, rural living, crop insurance and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information, visit www.fcma.com.