2021 Fresh Roots Directors Cup Application

Directors Cup Award Application

The FreshRoots Directors Cup presented by the FCI 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.

Eligibility Requirements

As of January 1, 2021, applicants must:

- be 40 years of age or younger or in their first 10 years of farming
- have been a Farm Credit Illinois member-borrower for at least 3 years (since at least 2018)
- not be a spouse of or a current FCI employee or Board director
- not be a child of a current FCI Board director
- not be a previous recipient or spouse of previous recipient

Married couples applying jointly must each meet all eligibility requirements.

Application Number

Applicant Information

If you are married, will you be applying jointly with your spouse?

Yes No Not Applicable

Name *

First Name Last Name

Spouse Name *

First Name Last Name

Email *

example@example.com

Spouse Email *

example@example.com

Phone Number *

Area Code Phone Number

Spouse Phone Number *

Area Code Phone Number

Address *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code

County of Residence *

Which FCI office are you affiliated with? *

Date of Birth *

Date

Spouse Date of Birth *

Date

Farm Business Information

Which best describes you? *

Full-time farmer Part-time farmer with an off-farm career

Spouse: Which best describes you? *

Full-time farmer Part-time farmer with an off-farm career

Please describe your off-farm career.

Spouse: Please describe your off-farm career.

What generation farmer do you represent in the farm business? *

What year did you become an FCI member-borrower? *

What year did you begin your farming career? *

Explain how you began your farming career. *

Spouse: Explain how you began your farming career. *

Describe your role in the farming business (i.e., owner, partner, manager). *

Spouse: Describe your role in the farming business (i.e., owner, partner, manager). *

Describe the roles and responsibilities of others involved in the farming business (i.e., family involvement or partnerships). *

List and explain three ways you have developed or evolved your farming operation over the past 3-5 years.

1. *

2. *

3. *

What crops or livestock are grown or raised on your farm? *

List any additional agricultural or related business enterprises you operate.

Continuous Learning & Intentional Living

As you pursue intentional living, what are 3-5 life or business philosophies, values, or mantras that serve as a compass as you make decisions and set priorities?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Spouse: As you pursue intentional living, what are 3-5 life or business philosophies, values, or mantras that serve as a compass as you make decisions and set priorities?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Which of the following FCI learning programs have you participated in the past 3 years?

How have you applied the information gained from these FCI learning programs?

Spouse: Which of the following FCI learning programs have you participated in the past 3 years?

Spouse: How have you applied the information gained from these FCI learning programs?

In the past 5 years, list your 3-5 most impactful professional development or personal growth experiences (i.e. formal education, workshops, mentoring or coaching sessions, leadership programs, field trips).

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Spouse: In the past 5 years, list your 3-5 most impactful professional development or personal growth experiences (i.e. formal education, workshops, mentoring or coaching sessions, leadership programs, field trips).

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Beyond your farming career, describe how you are shaping a brighter future for your community and industry.

Spouse: Beyond your farming career, describe how you are shaping a brighter future for your community and industry.

Share five specific time-based personal, family, or business goals you have set for yourself. *

Spouse: Share five specific time-based personal, family, or business goals you have set for yourself. *

Farm Showcase Video

Create a 30-45 second video on your phone capturing yourself and one item or place on the farm with special meaning to you and/or your spouse - and that you are proud to share with others. After a quick personal introduction (including your name, hometown, and county), showcase the specific object (i.e. memento, place, project, person, plant, animal) you treasure and describe its personal significance.

Video guidelines:

Begin the video by sharing your name, hometown, and county.
Ask a friend or family member to record you holding the phone horizontally. We want to hear your voice, see your face, and view the showcased object.
Video length should be no longer than 45 seconds. Points will be deducted for videos exceeding this length.
Keep it simple and speak from your heart. No fancy editing required.

Tips for uploading:

Set your phone's video settings to lowest HD settings available. These can be found under "Settings" on your mobile phone, and then the camera section
Check the file size once you've completed the video. FCI recommends the file size is less than 60 MB. The smaller the better. One minute of video at 720HD is approximately 40MB. So the max of 45 sec should be less.
Transfer your video from your phone to the computer or tablet you're using to complete your application. Use your phone’s charging cord to transfer if the computer or tablet has a usb port.

If you receive errors submitting the application, consider trying an alternative internet browser (Google Chrome).
If you continue to receive errors, contact ask@farmcreditIL.com to request alternative upload instructions.

If you encounter issues submitting the video, use this DropbBox link as an alternative way to upload.

Upload your video here

.mp4, .mov., mpeg4, .mpg, .avi. wmv, .mts, .mv4, .flv, .MOV

Attach a high-quality head and shoulder photo.

Attach digital JPEG photo(s)

Choose Files

Confirmation of Application

By checking the box, you confirm this application is accurate and complete. If selected as a $5,000 FreshRoots Directors Cup recipient, you agree: 1) Farm Credit Illinois may use the digital images, video, and information provided; 2) to promote the FreshRoots program and serve on a learning program panel as your availability permits.