BVU, Farm Credit Services of America Connect Through Strategic Partnership
Collaboration with Buena Vista University provides educational benefits to Farm Credit Services of America employees and eligible family members.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) have joined forces as Strategic Partners to help strengthen their communities and the region.
This partnership allows FCSAmerica employees and eligible family members of full-time employees, to receive grant funding to lower the overall cost of education while enrolled in classes at BVU’s Storm Lake campus. Partner grant funding also lowers the cost per credit hour for students enrolled in BVU’s convenient online/hybrid undergraduate programs or the organizational leadership graduate program.
“Agriculture is an increasingly complex industry and even small operations rely on teams of experts to help them succeed,” says FCSAmerica Vice President of Organizational Development and Learning Jessica Langenberg. “Continuing education for our employees will ensure they have the expertise our customer-owners expect from their financial cooperative. When local producers and businesses succeed, entire communities benefit."
“Agriculture is an increasingly complex industry and even small operations rely on teams of experts to help them succeed.”
FCSAmerica Vice President of Organizational Development and Learning Jessica Langenberg
FCSAmerica is part of the Farm Credit System—a nationwide network of financial cooperatives owned by the customers they serve. The business provides credit and risk management solutions to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners and agribusinesses in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
FCSAmerica employs nearly 2,000 employees, about half of whom work in one of the cooperative’s 42 offices located in rural communities, including Emmetsburg, Marshalltown, Mason City and Storm Lake. The remaining employees work primarily in Omaha at FCSAmerica’s headquarters.
Katie Hoffman, a business learning specialist at FCSAmerica, graduated from BVU’s Online & Hybrid Programs with a bachelor’s degree in business and human services in 2019 and a master’s degree in organizational leadership in 2021.
“The flexibility offered through the online format allows students to balance a busy lifestyle with coursework,” says Hoffman. “Going back to school can be intimidating, but the faculty at BVU is great at encouraging and supporting you throughout the journey. BVU is a great option for teammates wanting to further their education.”
BVU has long enjoyed strong educational ties in and around Emmetsburg, Marshalltown, and Mason City, home to Iowa Lakes Community College, Marshalltown Community College, and North Iowa Area Community College, respectively, campuses that have collaborated with BVU for decades. Students enrolled in a program through Iowa Lakes, MCC, or NIACC can seamlessly transfer their credits toward their bachelor’s degree at BVU. Students receive personalized support, including admissions and enrollment counseling and academic advising right in Emmetsburg, Marshalltown, and Mason City through BVU’s offices on the Iowa Lakes, MCC, and NIACC campuses.
“Buena Vista University is thrilled to offer additional educational benefits to Farm Credit Services of America’s employees and their family members through our Strategic Partnerships initiative,” says BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd. “Together, we can strengthen the workforce and build a better future for our communities and the greater region.”
For more information about BVU’s Strategic Partnerships and partner opportunities, please visit the BVU website at bvu.edu/strategic-partnerships or contact Strategic Partnerships at StrategicPartnerships@bvu.edu.