Editor’s note
The following is excerpted from a Q&A that originally appeared in “Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs” by AgIsAmerica, an initiative of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Board on Agriculture Assembly. The full feature and more on the series can be found here.
For more than 25 years, Christy Seyfert has helped shape agricultural policy in the nation’s capital. She serves as president and CEO of the Farm Credit Council, the national trade association representing the nation’s leading provider of credit and financial services to agriculture and rural America.
She also led the American Soybean Association’s Washington, D.C., team and advocacy efforts, which earned her recognition on “The Hill”’s Top Lobbyists list for four consecutive years. Her corporate advocacy experience focused on crop insurance and risk management for Rural Community Insurance Services, a leading crop insurance provider owned by Zurich North America.
Seyfert has provided government relations and coalition development services for agricultural, food and financial services interests in her role with a contract lobbying firm now known as Torrey Advisory Group. Prior to these private sector roles, she served leaders of the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees and members of the Georgia congressional delegation.
How did your educational experiences at the University of Georgia influence your path to leadership?
My experiences through UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) played a key role in shaping my path to leadership and to our nation’s capital.
Growing up, Georgia 4-H helped me develop confidence in public speaking and appreciation for those who build up individuals and communities. My 4-H agent was one of my favorite people, and the broader team of UGA Cooperative Extension agents remain both friends and resources to my farm family in Georgia. Fast forward to some years later when I met my future in-laws, I was pleased to learn my father-in-law provided that same support as an Extension agent in Kansas.
As a college student in food science in 1997, I successfully applied for an opportunity offered through UGA CAES that truly changed the trajectory of my career: an agricultural policy internship in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Rep. Saxby Chambliss, a well-respected, bipartisan agricultural leader in Georgia’s congressional delegation. This learning experience sparked my strong interest in improving public policy for agriculture and rural America.
Both alumni of the land-grant university system, my husband and I are proud to support students through merit-based scholarships that we established at UGA and Kansas State University.
How do Farm Credit Council’s key priorities align with land-grant universities’ research, education, and Extension mission?
Farm Credit and land-grant universities share a common goal: empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Farm Credit’s commitment to agriculture and rural America complements the important work of land-grant universities, who are driving innovation and supporting producers through research, education, and Cooperative Extension. Farm Credit and land-grant universities are investing in the future of agriculture and strengthening rural communities.
In what ways have colleges of agriculture and natural resources at land-grant universities helped Farm Credit Council strengthen its impact and serve its stakeholders?
With customer-owners in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Farm Credit associations maintain vital relationships with land grant universities who are poised to understand the geographies and characteristics of agriculture within their respective states. This valued partnership is positioned to focus on meeting the unique needs of America’s producers. Together, we empower producers to embrace innovation, grow their operations to their full potential, and strengthen long-term viability.
What is a critical issue that land-grant university researchers and Extension professionals are especially well positioned to address?
Land-grant university researchers and Cooperative Extension professionals are well positioned to identify emerging challenges and opportunities facing agriculture. Their interdisciplinary work and close connection with local producers often surface trends and solutions years before they reach policy circles in Washington, D.C. They do a great job collaborating with early intervention strategies while keeping students, faculty and professionals at the forefront of innovation.
Since 1916, Farm Credit has served rural communities across America. How has this long-standing experience shaped your perspective on the future of agriculture and rural prosperity?
In addition to growing up on a farm, I co-own a farm with my husband. Through personal experiences and my professional experiences in agricultural policy, I recognize that credit and risk management are critically important to starting up and continuously improving a farm or agribusiness operation. Financial resources and risk management are necessary for success.
I love meeting the people of Farm Credit who breathe life into our mission of providing credit and financial services to agriculture and rural America and who go above and beyond in representing the cooperative model of giving back to communities to make them better.
What advice would you offer today’s college students who are interested in careers supporting rural communities?
The future for agriculture and rural America is bright, and the opportunities to make an impact are extensive! Listen and learn, contribute constructively, and bring your best in every way, including your integrity, work ethic and attitude.
Where do you see the strongest opportunities for expanded collaboration and partnership between Farm Credit Council and land-grant universities in the years ahead?
Farm Credit and land-grant universities can continue to work together toward strengthening agriculture and rural America, envisioning future needs, and embracing innovation.
The Farm Credit Council and many Farm Credit associations offer internships that provide outstanding professional learning experiences to students.
Learn more about the APLU at aplu.org. To get connected with CAES alumni like Seyfert, visit caes.uga.edu/alumni.
