FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Northwest Farm Credit Services Recognized with Phelps-Martin Community Service Award

Spokane, Washington - February 16, 2015 – Northwest Farm Credit Services received the 2015 Farm Credit Council Phelps-Martin Award for Services to the Non-Agriculture Community. The award was presented to Northwest FCS for the creation of the “Pink Tractor” campaign to fight breast cancer. The award is given to a Farm Credit organization each year to recognize efforts made to enhance the quality of life in rural communities and support of charitable organizations.

Breast Cancer has touched many Northwest FCS employees and customers. Northwest FCS employees bring the Pink Tractor to community events, customer appreciation days, agriculture shows and cancer races. Northwest FCS is proud to bring awareness, fundraising dollars and a little fun to the areas we live and work in. The Pink Tractor has been at nearly 50 events throughout Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho, raising thousands of dollars that is donated to breast cancer research organizations.

Northwest FCS Board Chair and farmer Karen Schott says, “The fact that Northwest FCS customers and employees would dedicate the time and effort to share a very ’true’ sign of agriculture in support of breast cancer awareness and research is something that shows the caring connection that each of us feels towards this disease. Since the tractor was created; many individuals in rural communities have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Their bravery has been an inspiration and Northwest FCS is there to join in the fight!”

Phil DiPofi, President and CEO of Northwest Farm Credit Services, says, “Cancer, especially breast cancer, affects everyone who comes in contact with the Pink Tractor. I am proud that our employees, customers and rural community members are impacted by the spirit the tractor brings to the communities it travels too. The stories we hear, the people the tractor inspires and the donations we have earned to fight cancer are truly an inspiration to me and our team at Northwest FCS.”

Northwest FCS was awarded $1,000 at the Farm Credit Council event in San Francisco. Northwest FCS representatives sold Pink Tractor t-shirts and other gear at the meeting and raised an additional $10,000. All funds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

About the Pink Tractor
To find out more about the Pink Tractor or to order a Pink Tractor t-shirt, go to northwestfcs.com/pinktractor.

About Northwest FCS
Northwest FCS is a customer-owned financial cooperative providing $13 billion in financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Northwest FCS is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of borrower-owned lending in situations that provide approximately $208 billion in loans to rural America.

About the Phelps-Martin Awards
The Farm Credit Council (FCC) board of directors created the Phelps-Martin Awards for Community Service in honor of two Farm Credit System employees, the late Steve Phelps and Marsha Pyle Martin, and their lifetime contributions to the System and the communities they served. The awards honor their legacies by recognizing the System institutions and individuals who exemplify their commitment to community service.

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Contact
Jennifer Rohrer
Public Relations Coordinator
509-340-5303 or Jennifer.Rohrer@northwestfcs.com