Strengthening Rural Communities Through Partnership By Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) has long served as a voice for family farmers and ranchers across Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. Despite the word “union” in its name, RMFU is not a labor union; it is a grassroots organization working to strengthen rural communities through education, legislation and cooperation. Its programs support producers at many stages of life and business, from youth leadership and agricultural education to resources for new, beginning and multigenerational farmers. One example is the RMFU Cooperative Leadership Camp for youth, which has, for more than 75 years, helped young people build self-confidence, leadership skills and lasting friendships through hands-on educational events, soil-saving demonstrations and recreational activities such as movie nights. We spoke with RMFU President Chad Franke to learn more about the potential for productive partnerships between farmers and bankers, and how those partnerships can benefit rural communities. We asked a range of questions, including: • What are the biggest challenges family farmers and ranchers are facing today? • How can community bankers better understand the financial realities of agriculture? • What role does communication play in strengthening relationships between farmers and lenders? • How does RMFU’s Cooperative Development Center support rural communities? Farming today requires more than hard work and good weather. Producers are navigating high input costs, volatile markets, changing labor needs, rising interest rates and increasingly complex risk-management decisions. For many families, those 21 Colorado Banker
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