Premier Farm Credit returns $4.5 million to member-owners in 2021

Local ag-lending cooperative Premier Farm Credit has announced it will mail $4.5 million in cash patronage dividend checks to their member-owners in early 2021.

“Getting a cash patronage dividend check shows that the borrowers of Premier Farm Credit are part-owners of a business that’s working for them,” said Becky Lenz, board chair. “$4.5 million dollars is a significant amount and demonstrates the board of directors’ commitment to supporting the member-owners of this lending cooperative — in good times and bad.”

This year’s substantial payout marks the 24th consecutive year Premier Farm Credit has paid a cash patronage dividend, bringing the total returned in that time frame to $68.5 million.

“It’s important to us that we return a meaningful amount while remaining financially sound and focused on serving agriculture and rural communities today and tomorrow,” President and CEO Michael Grauberger said.

As part of the Farm Credit System (established in 1916), Premier Farm Credit is a mission-driven lending cooperative owned entirely by its borrowers/member-owners.

Premier Farm Credit serves northeast Colorado and the surrounding areas and has offices in Sterling, Fort Morgan, Yuma and Holyoke.