The Farm Credit Council is a trade association that represents the Farm Credit System, a network of borrower-owned lending institutions that provide credit and financial services to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. The Farm Credit System was established by Congress in 1916 and is the largest single provider of credit to American agriculture. The Farm Credit Council represents the interests of the Farm Credit System before Congress, federal agencies, and other organizations. The Council also provides education and training to Farm Credit System employees and directors. The Farm Credit System has more than 500,000 customers and more than $300 billion in assets.