Thankful for Our Food, Farmers and Communities

Thanksgiving provides the perfect moment to pause, reflect and give thanks — not just for the food on our tables, but for the people and communities who make it all possible. Amid our busy lives, this holiday reminds us to appreciate the abundance we enjoy and the hard work that goes into every meal. 

Here in the Northeast, we’re fortunate to have a rich agricultural tradition. The region’s 11 million acres of farmland are dedicated to producing a diverse array of foods — everything from turkey and cranberries to apples, potatoes and corn. These products are the foundation of our Thanksgiving feasts and contribute over $225 billion in economic impact across the Northeast each year. 

Behind every bite are the dedicated farmers, fishermen and forest product producers who work tirelessly, often facing unpredictable weather, market challenges and regulatory hurdles. Their resilience and commitment ensure a steady, secure supply of high-quality food for our families and communities. 

Celebrating our Customers  

At Farm Credit East, we’re proud to support Northeast agriculture — not only through financing and business services, but by sharing the inspiring stories of our customers. This year, we spotlighted businesses like Treeline, Inc. in Lincoln, Maine, a first-generation logging company started by Brian Souers 40 years ago that has since diversified to welcome the next generation, Brian’s daughter, Whitney Souers Goodmen. Hear their story. 

We also featured Hudson Frye of Frye Fisheries, LLC in New Bedford, Mass. At 18 years of age, Hudson bought his first fishing boat with a FarmStart loan. Now a FarmStart graduate, Hudson has grown his business and owns and operates several scallop and lobster boats. Hear his story. 

Earlier this month, we brought customers to Washington D.C. as part of the Farm Credit Fly-in. This biannual event advocates for issues vital to Northeast agriculture, while showcasing agricultural products from across the country. Among those customers who joined us, we were pleased to have next generation farmer Cate Kennedy. Cate is food operations manager at Wright’s Dairy & Bakery, a fifth-generation family business that continues to thrive after more than a century (hear their story), and also serves as a Farm Credit East Young, Beginning, Small, Veteran Farmer Advisor to the Board. Customer voices remind us of the importance of supporting those who feed not just our region, but the nation and the world. 

Celebrating our Team

We’re also proud of our employee team. Farm Credit East’s more than 550 employees are deeply rooted in Northeast agriculture and rural communities and have an incredible social conscience. 15 years ago, employees formed Farm Credit East Cares, a charitable giving fund, funded by employees, to give back to Northeast rural communities in times of need. To date, Farm Credit East Cares has contributed more than $1.5 million to Northeast communities.

This year, Farm Credit East Cares was expanded to encompass volunteer efforts — something the team was already doing but was now coordinated as part of Farm Credit East Cares Community Days. To celebrate employee volunteer efforts, Farm Credit East provided a dollar match for each volunteer hour. These earned dollars, totaling to $22,500, were donated to various charitable causes across the Northeast, further amplifying the impact. Learn more about our team’s commitment to making a difference in this short video.

Giving Thanks

As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, let’s remember to celebrate not only the bounty on our tables, but also the farmers, producers, and rural communities who make it all possible. From all of us at Farm Credit East, thank you for your hard work, your resilience and your commitment to feeding us all. Happy Thanksgiving!