Gary Matteson
Vice President for Young, Beginning, Small Farmer Programs and Outreach, Farm Credit CouncilBiography
Gary Matteson has more than 30 years of experience in the farming and agriculture industry. He leads the Farm Credit program serving young, beginning and small (YBS) farmers and ranchers at the Farm Credit Council, the System’s national trade organization. Mr. Matteson coordinates efforts within Farm Credit’s nationwide network and among many national organizations to ensure that YBS farmers have the opportunities they need to success. The Farm Credit System provides young farmers loan assistance, mentoring and business planning support. Mr. Matteson also helps the YBS Farmer program build diversity in farming by encouraging agricultural operations that bring a focus to locally grown foods near urban areas.
Mr. Matteson knows agriculture first hand as well, and runs a small greenhouse business in Epsom, New Hampshire, growing anemones for the wholesale cut flower market. In addition to having been an agricultural entrepreneur himself, Mr. Matteson has served on the board of directors of a Farm Credit institution, and was a founding member and long-time chairman of the board of trustees of New Hampshire Made, a non-profit organization that promotes New Hampshire-made products and services.
Mr. Matteson holds a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and biology from the University of Connecticut.