This is where you will find the most recent articles about FCU and the people who use it. Do you have news about FCU that you want to share with us? Fill out our contact form here. FCU Newsroom Update Ag Biz Planner featured in American Agri-Women TV Series Farm Credit University’s Ag Biz Planner training is a 10-module online series on developing a business plan. If you want to see proof in action, see some of our first graduates, Sharon and Johnny Rogers, discuss their experience, along with Alicia Morris, Director of FCU. The segment aired on the American Agri-Women Show on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 6 and 9 pm (Eastern) on In Country TV, Channel 230 on Dish Network and Channel 344 on DirecTV. It can also be viewed at http://vimeo.com/12249887. This gets all of us at Farm Credit University more excited all the time for the highly motivated people wanting to plan their business’ and families’ futures. FCU Newsroom Update FCU Newsletter Cick here to check out the FCU April Newsletter... FCU Enrollment Breaks 700 Total enrollment in Farm Credit University has passed the 700 mark! This includes student enrollments since program inception, July 2004. What is even more exciting is that approximately 20% of these students have come from outside of our district, making FCU a truly “system-focused” training solution. Now more than ever we’re committed to providing the ultimate “high tech” and “high touch” training experience for agricultural lenders everywhere. Nearly 300 Mentors Have Been Trained Perhaps the single most important aspect of putting together a successful training program is identifying and recruiting mentor-coaches. Being a mentor is a tough job, and usually means additional work on top of already hectic schedules. We are fortunate to have had so many mentors “step up” and agree to help coach our young and newly-hired lenders and analysts as they become the next generation of ag-lending professionals. Since 2004, we have had the privilege of training nearly 300 FCU mentors! These valuable teachers play a crucial role in ensuring that what a student learns in the FCU curricula is put into practice in a practical manner “on the job”. Again, to all our current and past mentor-coaches: Thanks for the valuable role you are playing in developing the ag-lending leaders of tomorrow! FCU Launch Pad Celebrates 1st Year Anniversary The Launch Pad orientation program has just celebrated its first anniversary. Since going live in mid-May 2007, over 200 newly-hired Farm Credit employees have utilized this curriculum. The Launch Pad is a 5 module eLearning orientation program that is ideal for any new-hire. If you’re not taking advantage of Launch Pad, you need to contact us TODAY to see what all the buzz is about, or click on the following link: http://www.fcuniversity.com/degrees_curriculi.htm New Sales Training Curriculum FCU, in close partnership with Dancing Elephants Achievement Group (www.dancingelephants.net) is developing an advanced sales techniques curriculum, slated to be up and running by July 2008. The program is called “Mastering Sales Magnetism”, and enrollment is underway for the inaugural session. The content has been developed and tailored specifically for Farm Credit lenders and account officers, and is formatted around the concepts of trust-based selling. Click on the following link for more information on this training. Act today to get your lenders in this first class! New YBSM Curriculum FCU, in close partnership with AgriVisions, LLC and Dr. David Kohl, is developing a learning curriculum specifically designed for our Young, Beginning, Small, and Minority (YBSM) customers and potential customers. Like other FCU curricula, this program will combine both eLearning and “face to face” instruction for a truly blended experience. It will also be the perfect medium for association lenders to develop and foster relationships with our YBSM customers. The AgFirst District, and FCU are committed to putting a program in place that will provide education and value to our YBSM farmers and families. Our target date for completion is year end 2008. Stay tuned, and visit our website in the next few months for more detailed information. FCU Continues to Expand Faculty In addition to featured instructor and content creator Dr. David Kohl, Farm Credit University brings in many other talented presenters and teachers. Dr. Alex White, from Virginia Tech, facilitates a segment on personality and communication styles (DISC profile) for the lifestyle lenders. Dr. Iwana Ridgill, of Midlands Technical College, leads a dynamic session on providing superior customer service, to both our external and internal customers. Charlie Farrell of the Farrell Group teaches and inspires as he addresses our commercial ag-lender graduates on what it takes to become a leader. Will Turner, of Dancing Elephants Achievement Group, challenges students to reach new levels of success by becoming a “trusted advisor” to their customers. Beth Hamlin (Caliber Commercial Corporation) instructs the commercial class in how to analyze cash flow beyond the traditional framework, incorporating the UCA format that is the industry standard. Dr. Ed Seifried of Lafayette College, and Dr. Elwynn Taylor of Iowa State are featured on-line instructors using the latest webinar technology. Other instructors from AgFirst have included Wes Sutton, Ronnie Hucks, Curt Carlson, Tom Welsh, Bill Melton, Randy Musselwhite, Alicia Morris, and Joyce Leet, as well as Todd Van Hoose of Farm Credit Council. In addition to the already fine faculty group, we are excited to add Dale McKee, of Cornelius & Associates, to our faculty beginning in November of 2008. Dale is a motivating speaker, specializing in managing organizational change and encouraging personal effectiveness. Enrollment Continues to Climb Total enrollment in the FCU program recently topped 350! Since inception, FCU has been a vital component in the training of our agricultural lenders, both in the lifestyle and commercial ag lending sectors. Enrollment continues to be strong for both curricula, and we’re rapidly establishing quite an impressive alumni roster! Each class brings students together from all across the Farm Credit System and provides them an unparalleled opportunity for learning and networking. New Mentor Milestone Perhaps one of the most pressing organizational challenges we face with our ageing workforce is how to “transfer the knowledge” from our tenured staff to the newer employees. There is a critical need for experienced mentor-coaches to work “hands on” with our young and beginning ag lenders. FCU provides the ideal platform for that interaction. The number of FCU-trained mentors has recently topped 200; and in light of the estimated number of retirements that likely will occur over the next 5 to 10 years, this number will continue to rise. Launch Pad: Countdown to Lift-Off Final touches are being made to the eagerly-awaited FCU Launch Pad orientation curriculum. This eLearning program will be ideal for ALL new hires (not just lenders), and will offer the absolute utmost in training convenience and efficiency. We are on schedule to have Launch Pad up and running by May 7, 2007. For more detailed information on Launch Pad, or other FCU curricula, click on the links found on the FCU homepage. Student Milestone: FCU Cracks 275 Enrollment Mark With the numbers still increasing for the upcoming July classes, Farm Credit University has now enrolled over 275 agricultural lenders and graduated 139 since inception. With what began as “text only” content a little over two years ago, this eLearning resource is now a state-of-the-art program designed to educate the new workforce of agricultural lenders. With two distinct curriculums to choose from, FCU is the ideal training solution for both Lifestyle and Commercial Ag-Lenders. Orientation Program for New-Hires on the Horizon Remember reading those thick manuals and text your first few months on the job? In response to numerous requests from association Presidents, we are just beginning work on developing a series of eLearning modules that can provide a jump-start for new hires. This fast-paced, energetic program will be sufficiently broad in scope and content as to allow it to be used with new-hires both inside and outside of the lending area. This new-hire training will be flexible and convenient because of its asynchronous nature and can be completed anytime and any place. Employees will be accountable by testing and completing application exercises to enhance the learning process. The program will cover such topics as:
The goal is to provide a consistent, up to date framework for new employee orientation for lenders and non-lenders alike. We’re excited about being asked to help meet this crucial training need as we move forward on a united front with cutting edge programs that provide the best of “high tech and high touch.” Mentor Milestone: Over 100 FCU Mentors Have Been Trained FCU recently celebrated another milestone in its’ short but active history. With the completion of the April “online” training session, over 100 mentor/coaches have been trained to work with newly-hired lenders and analysts. The work of these mentors is critical to the overall success of the FCU training program, as they are the ones that help the student incorporate what he/she has learned, into the practical framework of what’s essential to their jobs on a daily basis. Many mentors have indicated that they have enhanced and updated their own knowledge and skills as well as influencing a new lender’s career in a major way. A big “THANK YOU” is due all these folks who have so generously given of their time, knowledge and experiences. Commercial Ag-Lender Curriculum “Up and Running” The inaugural session of the new FCU Commercial Ag-Lender training program kicked-off in April 2006. The class was filled, and included students from many different associations. This curriculum focuses on traditional commercial agricultural financing, and will be extremely relevant and timely to lenders and analysts working with these types of loans. The next CAL class is due to begin in July, and is already filling up quickly. Register today! Agricultural Lender Training: Farm Credit University Getting Big Push & High Marks With up to half of current ag lenders transitioning into their "golden years" in the next five years, training of new lenders must be a priority for many ag lending institutions. As Dr. Dave Kohl, popular ag lending instructor and consultant warns...the "baby boomer" ag lender who experienced the farm financial crisis of the 1980's will be eligible for retirement, which will result in a loss of institutional knowledge in a short period of time unless that knowledge and experience is transferred to the next generation of ag lending leaders and managers. The solution to this problem is a "high-tech, high-touch" resource called Farm Credit University. Click here to read the story (.pdf)... We’re Nationwide In late 2005, students from all across the Farm Credit System began to participate in the Farm Credit University program. In 2006, FCU classes have had a growing number of students from outside of the AgFirst District. This has added greatly to the networking opportunities offered by this program, and has made the Halftime sessions even more interesting as students learn and share with their Farm Credit peers from across the nation. Our sincere thanks go out to all the associations who have chosen to partner with us in this project. The diversity and experience that you bring into the program enhances the learning experience for all, as Farm Credit becomes a united force serving agriculture and rural America.
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