Spokane, Wash. - Oct. 22, 2015 – Northwest Farm Credit Services is looking to honor Northwest leaders in agriculture who impact their industries and rural communities. As part of the Farm Credit System’s centennial celebration, Northwest FCS is participating in the national Farm Credit Fresh Perspectives campaign. Leaders can come from a variety of backgrounds: farmers and ranchers, and individuals who represent other agribusinesses, cooperatives, academic institutions, government agencies, and community organizations.

Award categories include:

• Leadership (over 21)
• Youth Leadership (21 and younger)
• Rural Policy Influence
• Beginning Farmer or Rancher Achievement
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Sustainability and Natural Resource Conservation
• Financial Stewardship
• Mentoring and Volunteerism
• Agriculture Education and Community Impact
• Rural and Urban Connection

Nominations can be submitted online here: http://www.farmcredit100.com/fresh

Deadline for contest entries is Dec. 18, 2015

A panel of experts, including Farm Credit and agricultural leaders, will select 100 honorees. The top 10 distinguished honorees, one from each category, will be awarded $10,000 to help further their work in creating a strong and vibrant future for agriculture and rural America. They will also be awarded a trip to the Farm Credit centennial celebration in Washington D.C.

Northwest Farm Credit Services is a customer-directed financial cooperative providing financing and related services to agricultural, forestry and fisheries business owners in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Northwest FCS provides approximately $13 billion in loans and is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of borrower-owned lending institutions that provide approximately $216 billion in loans to rural America. For more information, go to northwestfcs.com.

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Contact
Jennifer Rohrer
Media Relations Coordinator
509.340.5303 or jennifer.rohrer@northwestfcs.com