Farm Credit Illinois honors young, beginning farmers
By Tribune Staff • Three young farmers from central and southern Illinois were named FreshRoots Directors Cup honorees by Farm Credit Illinois: Brandon Cummins of Brookport, Bryce Brockelsby of Edinburg, and Thomas Perkins of Effingham.
The Directors Cup presented by the cooperative’s board of directors celebrates young and beginning farmers committed to continuous learning and intentional living for a brighter future for their farm family business and community. Honorees will receive $5,000, a commemorative keepsake and recognition from the Association’s board at a dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Cummins
Brandon Cummins of Brookport (Massac County) launched his farming operation in 2016 and has successfully built and grown the business as its sole owner and operator. He currently raises corn, soybeans and wheat.
“Building my farm from scratch has been challenging, but Farm Credit Illinois partnered with me like a friend, providing knowledge and support in areas of the business I don’t always think about,” he said.
Brockelsby
Bryce Brockelsby of Edinburg (Christian County) began farming in 2017 as a tenant for a local landowner and became a full-time co-owner and manager of his family’s farming operation in 2019. Bryce raises corn and soybeans, provides custom farming services and operates an excavation business.
“I’m not one to take credit for my work, so being recognized with the FreshRoots Directors Cup is rewarding. It makes me reflect on my farming career and see it as a real accomplishment,” he said.
Thomas Perkins of Effingham (Effingham County) began farming in 2016 as his grandfather transitioned out of the family farm. Thomas works on the farm part-time as well as off the farm as the operations manager for a local cooperative. He raises corn, soybeans, wheat and hay.
“I couldn’t have grown my operation without Farm Credit Illinois,” he said. “The FreshRoots Directors Cup challenged me to think about where I want to be in 10 years and I look forward to continuing growth in years to come,” says Thomas.
Perkins
Cooperative members were selected by a panel of seven industry representatives including one FCI board member based on a combination of each applicant’s unique farm beginnings, personal and business aspirations, and vision for their farm business and community.
“Investing in Helping the Next Generation of Farm Families Succeed is a top priority for our cooperative’s mission,” says Adam Brown, FCI Board Chair and Macon County farmer. “The Board of Directors is proud to recognize these young leaders for their commitment to lifelong learning and intentional living as they strive towards a brighter future.”
The Directors Cup award is part of Farm Credit’s FreshRoots young and beginning farmers program, which provides lending assistance and up to $2,000 in learning incentives to farmers up to age 40 or in their first 10 years of farming. As a cooperative, Farm Credit Illinois is committed to cultivating personal growth and professional development for young and beginning farmers.
Profiles of each Directors Cup honoree can be found at www.farmcreditIL.com/directorscup.
