Meet Your Director, Jennifer Cook
Meet your newly elected Farm Credit of Western Arkansas director.
Tell us about your background and how you found your way to farming.
I grew up in Lake City in a single-parent home, but my grandfather was an ag teacher in Manila and owned a farm with my uncle in Snow Lake. My happiest memories were on their farm. That passion led me to FFA, a degree in ag education, and careers in agriculture. When I married my husband, Bryan, I told him we'd have cows one day and thankfully we were able to make our dream come true by starting our Hereford herd in Wooster.
How did Farm Credit become part of your story?
When our boys were young, we bought 15 acres through a Farm Credit loan. That loan, and the relationships that came with it, made our agricultural life possible. I've always appreciated that Farm Credit supported us from the very beginning, encouraging my boys through 4-H, FFA, and local events. They've always been a constant presence in our journey.
What inspired you to serve on the board of directors?
I'll admit, at first I wondered if I was "qualified" because we're a small, part-time operation. But most Arkansas cattle producers are just like us with small herds and family-run farms. I wanted to represent that majority and help make sure opportunities like ours are available to others who dream of starting something of their own.
What advice would you give to young women in agriculture?
Don't be afraid to try new things or use your voice. Agriculture needs creativity and collaboration. When I first started, women in the field were rare, but confidence and persistence open doors. Be willing to share your perspective, because that's how progress happens and you've earned your seat at the table.
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope people remember me as someone who made a positive difference and that I helped open doors a little wider and made the path a little smoother for those coming behind me. So many people invested in me, and I want to do the same to pay that forward.
Read Jennifer's full story and meet our other newly elected directors in the Winter 2025 issue of the Rural Scene magazine.
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