Community First Credit Union (CFCU) recently celebrated National Credit Union Youth Month by highlighting its Youth Agriculture Loan program — an initiative designed to support young members in agriculture while building financial responsibility and real-world experience.

This year’s Youth Month theme, “Ready, Set, Save,” aligned closely with the program’s focus on helping youth develop smart financial habits early in life.

The Youth Ag Loan program provides up to $2,500 at a zero-percent interest rate, helping young members purchase animals to raise and sell at local fairs. Loans are structured as a single lump-sum repayment, encouraging participants to learn planning, budgeting, and goal-setting through hands-on experience — while reinforcing the importance of saving for future goals.

As of March, CFCU had funded nearly 50 loans totaling over $111,000, demonstrating strong engagement from youth across the communities it serves.

“This program is about more than just financing—it’s about investing in the next generation,” said Cary Shumway, chief lending officer of Community First Credit Union. “Through initiatives like this and the spirit of ‘Ready, Set, Save,’ we’re proud to support youth as they develop skills in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and financial responsibility.”

CFCU’s Youth Ag Loan program directly supports youth education and financial literacy, local agriculture and community involvement, hands-on learning through real-world projects, and building strong saving habits for future success.

Comments from members included:

• “With the profit I receive, I will use it for college expenses. It will be my last year raising and showing animals, so I want to end on a good note.”
• “I will save the profit for my education or invest in my project for next year.”
• “Last year with my proceeds from selling my market lamb, my grandpa helped me invest in stocks and accounts that make interest. I plan to continue saving so I can help buy a car or have extra money when I need it.”
• “My grandpa is helping me learn about investments so I can be smart with my money. I’d also like to get a mountain bike to join the Mountain Bike team.”
• “I plan on saving the money to get more hogs for next year.”