Culture

Our customers are the shareholders

AgWest is owned by its customers and is part of the Farm Credit System of cooperatives across the country. This means our customers are our shareholders, and everything we do is in support of their financial success and the future of agriculture. 

Patronage

Our profits are returned to our customers as yearly dividends, which help reduce borrowing costs. 

Support for the future

Our focus on the future includes specific support for our young, beginning and small farmers, and help with family succession planning. 

Advocacy

We advocate on Capitol Hill on behalf of our customers in support of the Farm Bill. 

"I have had the privilege of working with some of our younger farmers. As I’ve seen their growth over the years, I feel proud of all the hard work that it took to get them there."

— Daniel Litz

Imperial Valley, CA

Helping our communities thrive isn’t something we just talk about, it’s something we do. 

Team giving

The AgWest Team Giving program allocates $400 per employee to pool together with their team, department, branch or division to donate to an eligible local non-profit of their choice. In addition to the monetary donation, each team is encouraged to participate in a volunteer or educational activity with the selected non-profit as part of our commitment to helping our communities thrive.

Corporate match

AgWest will match employee charitable contributions up to $400 per employee per year, effectively doubling employee donations to the nonprofits they feel are important.  

Click here to learn more about AgWest’s community engagement and how we give back to the people and communities we serve. 

"I love not only the customers that I work with, but the employees that I get to work alongside of. I’ve made great friendships among the employees, and getting to work with growers each day is something I love.”

— Jordyn McCord

Spokane, WA

We support your professional growth at every stage of your career. We help you set goals and measurable steps to achieve them, and give you tools you can use your entire life.

Training and internship programs

We are committed to supporting the next generation of leaders through our paid internship and training programs. Learn more. 

Peer recognition

Employees are invited to recognize their coworkers each quarter with a Making a Difference award, our peer-to-peer recognition program that highlights employee actions, behaviors and contributions that demonstrate AgWest’s core values. Recipients are given a $250 cash award.

Clifton Strengths

Every employee who joins AgWest is invited to take the Clifton Strengths assessment to discover their innate talents, and have a 1:1 learning discussion with a certified Strengths coach to explore their results. AgWest uses Strengths to help employee achieve their highest potential, and to create a common language around how we all show up.

Tuition reimbursement

Each employee is provided with financial assistance of $5,250 per year to help you earn your degree or certificate, attend a professional development conference, or another approved learning program.

"Understanding my strengths has given me insight about myself, and understanding the strengths of my coworkers has helped our team to be more effective in the work we do at AgWest."

— Rick Mercier

Santa Maria, CA