15 Minutes With… Christy Seyfert, CEO & President of Farm Credit Council

By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (May 5, 2026)

With deep agricultural expertise and extensive experience in the Washington, D.C. policy environment, Christy Seyfert took the helm of Farm Credit Council as president and CEO in January 2025. In doing so, she made history as the first woman to lead the organization, which serves as the national trade association representing nearly 60 Farm Credit institutions before Congress, the Executive Branch and other U.S. government agencies.

Prior to this, Seyfert was executive director of government affairs for the American Soybean Association (ASA) for nearly six years. Her leadership of the American Soybean Association’s D.C. team and advocacy efforts earned her recognition on The Hill’s Top Lobbyists List for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024.

Her commitment to representing rural America in D.C. is clear. Early in her career, she served leaders of the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees, as well as members of the Georgia congressional delegation. After that, she held senior policy and advocacy roles in the private sector with Wells Fargo, Zurich North America, and Michael Torrey Associates, respectively, focusing on key issues such as crop insurance and risk management.

Now, with oversight for all activities of the Farm Credit Council, Seyfert has been able to expand her influence to affect legislation, such as increasing Farm Service Agency (FSA) guarantee and direct loan limits and advocating for bipartisan support of Farm Bill 2.0. This, in addition to remaining steadfast in offering updated credit provisions for farmers and ranchers, modernizing programs, and reducing regulatory burdens on producers and their ag lenders.

Thanks to Women in Agribusiness’ relationship with Farm Credit Council (they are sponsors of the 2026 WIA Summit), WIA Today got a few minutes with Seyfert to gain insight into the current pulse in Washington and what that means for agriculture.

1. WIA Today: You are just over a year in as president and CEO for Farm Credit Council. How have you embraced this new role and what are some milestones from 2025?

Seyfert: This past year as CEO for Farm Credit Council has been truly incredible. When I first started, I made it a priority to visit as many Farm Credit associations as possible in 2025. I knew it was important to get boots on the ground and begin to develop critical relationships. Our customer-owners are at the center of the Farm Credit mission. The visits across the Farm Credit System have helped me embrace this new role not only in the field, but also in our nation’s capital. I am grateful to build on these relationships in the future as we continue to advocate for agriculture and rural America.

2. WIA Today: Given the pace of activities in D.C., you are undoubtedly busy and encountering new challenges. What are the top priorities you’re advancing in 2026 on behalf of Council members during this pivotal time in agriculture?

Seyfert: In 2026, Farm Credit’s main legislative priority is getting Farm Bill 2.0 across the finish line and ensuring this vehicle enables us to support our customer-owners across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. We are grateful for the initial movement through the House Agriculture Committee and will continue to urge passage through Congress and enactment by the president this year.  Farm Credit continues to advocate for a Farm Bill with inclusion of modernizing Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan limits and programs, improving credit provisions, and strengthening rural communities.

3. WIA Today: You have a long history in agricultural leadership. What led you to a career in ag?

Seyfert: As a sixth-generation farm kid, I have a special connection with those in agriculture and want to see them succeed. I pursued my degree in food science at the University of Georgia to understand what it took to get food from the farm to the table, which provided insights into the bigger picture of agribusiness and food industry support in making this possible for consumers. During those college years, I pursued another angle in agriculture that I had never considered – an agricultural policy internship in our nation’s capital – and that truly changed the trajectory of my career. That learning experience 29 years ago sparked my strong interest in improving public policy for agriculture and rural America. Every step of my career has shown how critical it is to share our story.

4. WIA Today: The Women in Agribusiness community, now 15 years strong, brings together women and their advocates to empower, connect, and elevate careers across the industry. What message do you have for women forging their path in agriculture, particularly ag policy?

Seyfert: When we sought nominations for a Farm Credit leadership initiative in this International Year of the Woman Farmer, three primary themes for success arose among women in agriculture. This guidance applies to women both on and off the farm, including in ag policy.

1. Be adaptable and be prepared to learn while doing. This includes talking to others in agriculture and supporting each other. Rarely does anything follow the textbook. 

2. Recognize that risk is constant – but so is resilience. It is impossible to completely avoid risk, so manage risk and survive it.

3. Blend tradition with modernization. Respect ways and successes of the past and be sure to add your mark of improvements and enhancements.

To hear more from Farm Credit, look for them at the 15^th annual Women in Agribusiness Summit in New Orleans, September 22-24, 2026.