Meet Jake Pendergrass, Lifestyle Relationship Officer

Meet Jake Pendergrass! Jake joined the Farm Credit of Florida lending team in December and is a relationship officer based at our Wauchula branch.

Jake grew up in Zolfo Springs, Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in citrus and horticultural sciences from Florida Southern College, Jake followed his passion to work at The Groves of Peace River, a family-owned citrus operation. He later worked as a farm manager and farm food safety manager for Heller Brothers Packing Corp. and an assistant farm manager with Classic Caladiums.

Jake is highly involved in efforts to ensure that the next generation of farmers and ranchers can thrive. He currently serves on the Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers State Leadership Board and previously served as secretary of the FFA Advisory Board. We got to know Jake when he served on our Southwest Florida YBS Advisory Committee, a group that advocates on behalf of Young, Beginning, and Small (YBS) farmers.

Like many of our members, Jake is a part-time farmer. He and his family own a cow-calf operation that produces Red Angus and South Poll seedstock cattle. He also helps out on his dad’s citrus operation on the weekends. Jake is deeply-rooted in his community and as a lender, he understands the importance of building relationships and supporting each other in rural communities.

“I know what it’s like to be a young farmer getting started,” he said. “In my new role at Farm Credit, I believe I can help others get going on fulfilling their dreams – whether that involves building a life in the country, beginning a farming operation or anything in between.”

We can’t wait to see the positive impact Jake will have on our lending team and the communities we serve.

Please give him a call at (863) 993-5943 to discuss how Farm Credit of Florida can help you with:
• Farm improvements or lines of credit
• Rural residential lot loans
• Home loans or refinancing
• Construction-to-permanent mortgages that include a single closing before construction
• Farm-home loans

(NMLS # 2559197)