Farm Credit Mid-America to Return $280 Million to Customer-Owners in March

Cooperative to distribute over $1.75 billion in patronage payments over the past 10 years.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Farm Credit Mid-America, a farmer-owned cooperative, will return $280 million in net earnings to eligible customer-owners this March through its patronage program. 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 the cooperative's diverse portfolio and commitment to support farmers.

Why it matters

Patronage payments can help farmers manage risk, offset input costs, reinvest in their operations, and strengthen their financial resilience during challenging times. As a cooperative, Farm Credit Mid-America returns a portion of its earnings to customer-owners, keeping capital in local communities to support agriculture.

The details

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.

  • Farm Credit Mid-America will return $280 million in net earnings to eligible customer-owners this March.

The players

Farm Credit Mid-America

A farmer-owned cooperative that serves agricultural producers, rural homeowners, and agribusinesses across several states.

Tara Durbin

The chief lending officer of agriculture at Farm Credit Mid-America.

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What they’re saying

“Returning capital to our customers is a core part of who we are as a cooperative. Our customers are managing risk every day. Patronage can be used in a variety of ways, including to help strengthen their balance sheets, improve liquidity or provide flexibility as they plan for the season ahead.”

— Tara Durbin, Chief Lending Officer of Agriculture (americanagnetwork.com)

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

— Tara Durbin, Chief Lending Officer of Agriculture (americanagnetwork.com)

What’s next

Customers can learn more about Farm Credit Mid-America's patronage program, eligibility requirements, and customer-owner experiences on the cooperative's website at fcma.com/patronage.

The takeaway

As a farmer-owned cooperative, Farm Credit Mid-America's patronage program demonstrates its commitment to supporting its customer-owners and keeping capital in local communities, which is crucial for the resilience and growth of the agricultural sector during challenging times.