RIDGELAND, Miss. – Southern AgCredit members Clark and Hailey Carlisle of Dixie, La., took their interests in agriculture to Capitol Hill on July 24.

As participants in the 2019 Farm Credit Young Leaders Program, the couple met with Rep. Mike Johnson, Rep. Ralph Abraham and Sen. Bill Cassidy on their Hill visits.

Farm Credit Young Leaders Program

“Hailey and I were so thankful to have the opportunity to participate in the Farm Credit Young Leaders Program and travel to Washington, D.C., and New York City. We learned so many things about Farm Credit in the four days that we were there. The highlight of the trip was meeting with our congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. It was an experience we won’t soon forget,” said Clark.

The Carlisles were selected by Southern AgCredit to participate in the annual young leaders program. The four-day event teaches young farmers and ranchers about the Farm Credit System, the legislative process and the nation’s financial markets.

This year’s program took 20 young Farm Credit borrowers from five states — Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas — to Washington, D.C., and New York City.

Besides visiting Capitol Hill, the group joined over 700 other Farm Credit borrowers and directors from across the country at a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. They also heard from House Agriculture Committee members, U.S. Reps. Austin Scott and David Scott.

Following their Washington, D.C, meetings, the young leaders visited the Federal Farm Credit Funding Corporation in New Jersey. The funding corporation buys and sells the notes and bonds that fund Farm Credit lending cooperatives.

About the Carlisles

The Carlisles are fourth-generation farmers who raise cotton and corn on 1,000 acres in Dixie, La. They also maintain cattle pasture that they rent to cattlemen in the Shreveport area. Clark and Hailey both graduated from Louisiana Tech University, he in finance and she in education. Hailey taught school for several years prior to the birth of their first son.

“This event provides participants the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of how Farm Credit supports agriculture and rural communities across the country,” said Joe Hayman, CEO of Southern AgCredit.

Southern AgCredit is a part of the 102-year-old Farm Credit System, which is a nationwide network of rural lending cooperatives that finance agriculture and rural communities.

Clark and Hailey Carlisle of Dixie, La., recently represented Southern AgCredit at the 2019 Farm Credit Young Leaders Program. As part of the program, they met with congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. They are pictured with Rep. Ralph Abraham of La., left.

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Learn more about how Southern AgCredit supports YBS Farmers and Ranchers in Louisiana and Mississippi through education and loan programs.