Link Credit Union supports local farmers with Cultivate Farm Finance
Link Credit Union is this week marking National Cultivate Week, which runs from April 7-13, by highlighting its Cultivate Farm Finance loans, and emphasising the strong relationship between credit unions and the agricultural community.
In 2024, the local credit union issued over €900,000 in Cultivate Farm loans to farmers from around the Kingscourt, Bailieborough, Moynalty and Cootehill areas. Behind every loan is an individual story of dairy, beef, sheep and other farmers with different and diverse needs who rely on the support of their local credit union.
"With our Cultivate Loan, we offer local farmers the opportunity to talk with people who understand farming, to take advantage of the local decision making and to agree a financial package that is tailored to best suit the needs of the farmer and their farming enterprise. Cultivate Loans are available for a variety of farming purposes such as stocking, farm machinery and general farm investment," advises Ciara McMahon, Marketing and Business Development Officer at Link Credit Union.
National Cultivate Week is a celebration of Irish farmers and the communities that support them - and an opportunity to show how credit unions are stepping up to meet their needs. Cultivate loans are built around the realities of farm life: flexibility, speed, and a real personal service.
"As well as understanding the differing needs of the farming community, we fully understand the time pressures facing every farmer. Farmers can choose how and when they wish to engage with their local credit union, be it in person, over the phone or online. Our approach is simple - we're digital when you want it, but human when you need it," said Ms McMahon.
Cultivate is an initiative of a group of credit unions across 175 locations in the Republic of Ireland that provides short to medium term loans built specifically for the growing needs of its farming members. Cultivate Loans are “farmer friendly” and offer farmers quick loan approvals, a personal service, flexible repayments plans and unsecured lending for up to €50,000 over maximum of seven years.